Sports Done Right? Perceptions of Visually Impaired Athletes on Media Representation

This study examined the perspectives of visually impaired adult athletes on the way in which a blind person and athlete were depicted in the recent media article “Sports Done Right: A Shining Example for All of Us.” Seven visually impaired athletes read the article and engaged in a one-on-one Zoom interview where they discussed their thoughts regarding the representation of the athletes within the article. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach, and three themes were constructed. Based on the participants’ narratives, and on constructed themes, it remains clear that the perspectives of disabled athletes are often ignored within media, and media presentations about disabled athletes appear to be more intended to inspire nondisabled readers than represent disabled athletes.