Art Therapy with Blind and Visually Impaired Adults
Graduation Date
Spring 1987
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy
Degree Granting Institution
Notre Dame de Namur University
Program Name
Art Therapy
Abstract
In the past, art therapy has been used with blind and visually impaired populations because of the concept that a blind person drawing or painting is impossible. However, the hypothesis of this study is that the congenitally and adventitiously blind and visually impaired are able to develop painting and drawing techniques as well as the use of art therapy as a tool for problem solving, nonverbal communication, developing self-esteem, coping with sight loss, acquiring visual knowledge, and learning what the sighted can see. Even without sight, they create from an inner vision. In this study, three case studies are discussed where the blind and visually impaired have developed alternative methods for using art as a means of expression and communication. Additional art therapy techniques developed for this population are presented supporting the hypothesis that art therapy can be used to help transform the way in which the blind and visually impaired view their world.