All reported n totals reflect the number of participants who responded to the survey question. Percent is reported for questions where respondents could select only one choice. Numbers are provided when respondents could select multiple answers.



About the Participants

Gender identity (n=488)

50%Cisgender female/woman
43%Cisgender male/man
3%Genderqueer, gender-nonbinary, or gender fluid
1%Transgender female/woman
1%Transgender male/man
0%A gender not listed
2%I prefer not to answer.


Are you of Hispanic or Latinx descent? (n=488)

76%No
21%Yes
3%I prefer not to answer.


Please indicate your race and ethnicity. (n=488)

76%White
7%Black/African American
6%Asian
3%I prefer not to answer.
2%Two or more races
2%American Indian or Alaska Native
2%Other, please specify
1%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
1%I don’t know.


What is your age? (n=488)

10%18 – 25 years
35%26 – 35 years
19%36 – 45 years
11%46 – 55 years
25%Over 55 years
0%I prefer not to answer.


Which statement best describes when you became visually impaired? (n=488)

39%I became visually impaired prior to 2 years of age.
15%I became visually impaired between 2 and 8 years.
19%I became visually impaired between 9 and 19 years.
13%I became visually impaired in my 20s.
7%I became visually impaired in my 30s.
3%I became visually impaired in my 40s.
2%I became visually impaired in my 50s.
1%I became visually impaired in my 60s or later.
1%I prefer not to answer.


I am an individual who: (n=488)

52%Has low vision
38%Is blind
8%Is deafblind
2%I prefer not to answer.


Do you have an additional disability or underlying health condition in addition to your blindness, low vision, or deafblindness? (n=488)

67%No
32%Yes
1%I prefer not to answer.


As COVID-19 cases were rising and many people were being hospitalized, did you feel your underlying health conditions made you particularly vulnerable if you were exposed to the COVID-19 virus? (n=150)

80%Yes
19%No
1%I prefer not to answer


Today do you feel your underlying health conditions make you particularly vulnerable if you were to be exposed to the COVID-19 virus? (n=152)

45%I have been fully vaccinated so I am not concerned.
43%Yes
5%I have been partially vaccinated so I am not concerned.
4%Even though I have not been vaccinated, I am not concerned.
3%I prefer not to answer.


How do you primarily access a computer, smartphone, and/or tablet? (n=488)

48%Using screen reading software (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)
15%Using a combination of screen reading and screen enlargement/magnification software
15%Using screen enlargement/magnification software (e.g., ZoomText, Zoom)
12%Using built-in features on the device (e.g., enlarge the font, reverse contrast)
4%I do not use a computer, smartphone, and/or tablet.
2%I do not make any changes to the manufacturer's settings.
4%Other, please describe.


As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have increased my use of apps designed to connect people with visual impairments with sighted assistance such as Aira or Be My Eyes. (n=438)

25%Strongly agree
34%Agree
19%Neither agree or disagree
15%Disagree
7%Strongly disagree
0%Not applicable


Since March 2020, which statement(s) describe your housing experience. Select all that apply. (n=484)

343My housing situation has not changed since March 2020.
85I have moved in with family, friends, or other(s).
34I have experienced housing insecurity where I was unsure about my housing situation or how I will pay for my housing.
23I moved to a retirement community, assisted living, skilled nursing etc.
20Other(s) have moved in with me.
8I have experienced homelessness.
5I have lived in a shelter.
21Other, please describe.
2I prefer not to answer.


Select all the reasons for changes in your housing situation that resulted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (n=159)

49My healthcare needs require assistance from other(s).
48I needed assistance with transportation.
47I needed assistance with childcare.
41There was a financial need.
39I needed assistance with obtaining groceries or supplies.
24I needed to assist other(s) with their healthcare needs.
24I was experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
20Other(s) needed me to provide assistance with childcare.
7Other(s) were experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
17Other, please describe.
1I prefer not to answer.


Getting COVID-19 Information

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, since March 2020 when the pandemic began, have you reached out to any of the following for support, specific information about COVID-19, or assistance due to the pandemic’s impact on your life? Check all that apply. (n=483)

181Consumer organization for people with visual impairment (e.g., ACB, BVA, FFB, NFB, NOAH)
129Individuals with visual impairments in my personal network (8)
112Community agency that serves people with visual impairments (e.g., Lighthouse for the Blind)
106Vocational rehab / Rehab Services Administration / Division for Blind Services / Commission for the Blind
101Groups on social media (e.g., Facebook, Yahoo) for people with visual impairments
99I have not reached out to any of these blind or vision loss related groups
69Websites of blindness organization (e.g., American Foundation for the Blind, American Printing House for the Blind)
56Library services for people with visual impairments
48Support group members
28American Printing House for the Blind's Informational and Referral Line
12Veterans' Affairs Blind Rehab Program employee
36Other, please describe


Select the way(s), if any, you have used to get COVID-19 pandemic information. (n=480)

295COVID-19 press conferences or other information presented on television or the radio
225CDC website
180Local health department website
168Friend or family member
135State health department website
95Doctor’s office
67Local health department telephone number
39State health department telephone number
34I did not use any sources to get COVID-19 pandemic information.
27Government office for individuals with disabilities
14Government office for older people or seniors
56Other, please describe
1I prefer not to answer.


Today I have full access to COVID-19 pandemic information (e.g., number of cases in my community) because the information is accessible to me. (n=472)

30%Strongly agree
43%Agree
13%Neither agree or disagree
10%Disagree
4%Strongly disagree
0%Not applicable


COVID-19 Testing

At any point did you try to access information on how to obtain a COVID-19 test? (n=483)

74%Yes
25%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Select all the sources you used or tried to use to access COVID-19 testing information. (n=349)

174Local health department website
165CDC website
106State health department website
101Doctor’s office
88Pharmacy or grocery store
72Local health department telephone number
43State health department telephone number
27Government office individuals with disabilities
21Government office for people who are older or seniors
32Other, please describe
3I prefer not to answer.


I was easily able to obtain the COVID-19 testing information I needed. (n=345)

24%Strongly Agree
45%Agree
11%Neither agree or disagree
14%Disagree
6%Strongly disagree


As a person with a visual impairment, the COVID-19 testing information was accessible to me. (n=344)

23%Strongly agree
45%Agree
13%Neither agree or disagree
14%Disagree
5%Strongly disagree
0%I prefer not to answer.


Since March 2020, did you travel to get a COVID-19 test? (n=473)

59%Yes
40%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Please select all the places you traveled to get a COVID-19 test. (n=277)

136A doctor’s office, hospital, or health department
112A drive-through site
106A walk-up site
49A combination of a drive-through and a walk-up site
23A pharmacy or grocery store
14Other, please describe
0I prefer not to answer.


How did you travel to COVID-19 test sites? Select all that apply. (n=275)

121I went in the car of someone who I live with.
91I went in the car of someone I know who I asked to take me to the test site.
41I took public transportation.
39I walked or rode my bike.
25I took a taxi or rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.
18I used a non-emergency medical service to provide transportation.
2I went by ambulance.
9Other, please describe
0I prefer not to answer.


How difficult was it for you to arrange for transportation to the COVID-19 test site? (n=241)

46%A little difficult.
41%Not difficult at all.
7%Difficult
5%Very difficult
1%I prefer not to answer


COVID-19 Vaccine

At any point did you try to access information on how to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine? (n=475)

85%Yes
14%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Select all the sources you used or tried to use to access COVID-19 vaccine information. (n=400)

201Local health department website
190CDC website
149State health department website
124Pharmacy (e.g., Walgreens, CVS)
120Friend or family member
109Doctor’s office
91Local health department telephone number
65Grocery store (e.g., Publix, Shop Rite, Safeway)
42State health department telephone number
39PlanYourVaccine.com
28Government office for individuals with disabilities
13Government office for older people or seniors
49Other, please describe
0I prefer not to answer.


I was easily able to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine information I needed. (n=396)

26%Strongly agree
38%Agree
14%Neither agree or disagree
14%Disagree
8%Strongly disagree
0%I prefer not to answer.


The source(s) I used to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine information were accessible to me as a screen reader user. (n=255)

25%Strongly agree
31%Agree
18%Neither agree or disagree
15%Disagree
11%Strongly disagree
0%I prefer not to answer.


The source(s) I used to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine information were accessible to me as a screen magnification user. (n=117)

22%Strongly agree
48%Agree
20%Neither agree or disagree
6%Disagree
3%Strongly disagree
1%I prefer not to answer.


As a person with a visual impairment, COVID-19 vaccine information was accessible to me. (n=315)

20%Strongly agree
49%Agree
14%Neither agree or disagree
12%Disagree
4%Strongly disagree
1%I prefer not to answer.


Which statement describes your experience with COVID-19 vaccine scheduling? (n=468)

47%Someone scheduled a COVID-19 vaccine for me.
34%I scheduled a COVID-19 vaccine for myself or someone else.
17%I have no experience scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine for myself or anyone else.
2%I prefer not to answer.


Select all the sources you used or tried to use to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or someone else. (n=160)

85Local health department website
67Pharmacy (e.g., Walgreens, CVS)
58Doctor’s office or hospital
54State health department website
34Local health department telephone number
33Grocery store (e.g., Publix, Shop Rite, Safeway)
24State health department telephone number
24Other, please describe
0I prefer not to answer.


I was easily able to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine for myself or someone else. (n=159)

31%Strongly agree
27%Agree
15%Neither agree or disagree
15%Disagree
11%Strongly disagree
1%I prefer not to answer.


The source(s) I used to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine were accessible to me as a screen reader user. (n=97)

29%Strongly agree
27%Agree
21%Neither agree or disagree
16%Disagree
6%Strongly disagree
1%I prefer not to answer.


The source(s) I used to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine were accessible to me as a screen magnification user. (n=32)

28%Strongly agree
38%Agree
6%Neither agree or disagree
19%Disagree
6%Strongly disagree
3%I prefer not to answer.


As a person with a visual impairment, the source(s) I used to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine were accessible to me. (n=159)

31%Strongly agree
35%Agree
18%Neither agree or disagree
12%Disagree
3%Strongly disagree
1%I prefer not to answer.


What is your experience obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine? Select all that apply. (n=469)

343I traveled to a COVID-19 vaccine site.
69I received my COVID-19 vaccine at work.
34I did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
27I received my COVID-10 vaccine at my residence.
8I prefer not to answer.


I received my COVID-19 vaccine at: (n=339)

29%A doctor’s office, hospital, or health department
20%A walk-up site
19%A pharmacy or grocery store
12%A drive-through site
10%A combination of a drive-through and a walk-up site
10%Other, please describe.
0%I prefer not to answer.


How did you travel to the COVID-19 vaccine site? (n=340)

40%I went in the car of someone who I live with.
29%I went in the car of someone I know who I asked to take me to the test site.
10%I walked or rode my bike.
7%I took public transportation.
7%I took a taxi or rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.
3%I used a non-emergency medical service to provide transportation.
1%I went by ambulance.
3%Other, please describe.
0%I prefer not to answer.


How did you travel to the drive-through site? (n=41)

51%Someone in my home drove me.
34%A friend or relative drove me.
7%I took public transportation.
5%A volunteer or someone I hired drove me.
3%I took a taxi or rideshare service.
0%I drove myself.
0%Other, please describe.


It was stressful to arrange transportation to and from the vaccine site. (n=288)

7%Strongly Agree
24%Agree
17%Neither agree or disagree
22%Disagree
29%Strongly disagree
1%I prefer not to answer.


Did another person or persons travel with you to and from the walk-up site? (n=70)

84%Yes
16%No
0%I prefer not to answer.


Was the walk-up site at a location familiar to you? (n=69)

65%No
35%Yes
0%I prefer not to answer.


As a person who is blind, has low vision, or is deafblind, I was easily able to navigate my way through the walk-up site. (n=70)

24%Strongly Agree
22%Agree
23%Neither agree or disagree
20%Disagree
11%Strongly disagree
0%I prefer not to answer.


Prescriptions, Food, and Supplies

Since March 2020, have you had any challenges getting needed healthcare supplies or prescriptions? (n=469)

56%No
43%Yes
1%I prefer not to answer.


Check all the challenges you have experienced obtaining needed healthcare supplies or prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. (n=200)

96Getting to the pharmacy to pick-up my medical supplies or prescription because I had a change in my transportation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
69Getting in touch with my doctor’s office so they could send the prescription to the pharmacy.
69Speaking with the pharmacist/pharmacy staff in person to be shown how to use a prescription or medical supply, review instructions, etc.
38I could not use the app/website to order my medical supplies or prescription because the app/website was not accessible.
36My pharmacy only had drive-through or curbside pickup and as a nondriver, I could not get my medical supplies or prescription.
12I had difficulty having accessible prescription labels sent to me via U.S. mail.
29Other, please describe.


Has there been a time since January 2020 that you have received food assistance such as SNAP (food stamps), meals from your child’s school, WIC (food assistance for women, infants and children), or Meals on Wheels? (n=469)

56%No
43%Yes
1%I prefer not to answer.


Select any of the statements that pertain to you. (n=196)

67I tried to apply for SNAP or WIC benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and had challenges with the accessibility of the website.
57Meals on Wheels or a similar food delivery program stopped or had reduced deliveries during the pandemic.
46I had challenges with transportation to get to a food bank, my child’s school to pick up meals, etc.
46For the first time I received food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
34When I tried to use my SNAP or WIC benefits on a website or app to order groceries, the website or app was not accessible to me.
28I had challenges with transportation to get to a soup kitchen or other site where I could receive a free meal.
26Individuals or groups in the community who had not previously shopped or provided me meals provided me assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
20I had my SNAP, WIC, or other food assistance benefits canceled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
19My transportation provider began delivering meals, groceries or other supplies to me so I did not need to leave my home.
16Other
3I prefer not to answer.


Prior to March 2020, did you use a website or app to have food, groceries, or supplies delivered? (n=468)

59%Yes
37%No
4%Delivery services are not available in my area.
0%I prefer not to answer.


During the pandemic did you use a website or app to have food, groceries, or supplies delivered? (n=465)

73%Yes
24%No
3%Delivery services are not available in my area.
0%I prefer not to answer.


Did you experience any challenges with having food, groceries, or supplies delivered during the pandemic? (n=336)

65%Yes
35%No
0%I prefer not to answer.


Thinking about your experiences as a person who is blind, has low vision, or is deafblind, select any of the challenges you experienced having food, groceries, or supplies delivered? Please focus on issues that resulted from your visual impairment. (n=212)

94I had trouble selecting and/or confirming a delivery slot.
81The website/app was not fully accessible to me.
66It was difficult to tell what was in my cart.
56I had to use sighted assistance to use the website/app.
52When notified my order had been delivered, I was not provided detailed information to make it easy for me to locate my delivery.
41There was not an accessible way for me to give delivery instructions.
34Other, please describe.
2I prefer not to answer.


 

Healthcare and Mental Well-Being

Since March 2020, have you used Telehealth to meet with a medical provider for yourself, your child, or someone who you assist with healthcare needs? (n=467)

71%Yes
28%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Check all the ways you have accessed Telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic for yourself, your child, or someone who you assist with healthcare needs. (n=330)

213Phone call
170Email
169Telehealth platform
78Text message
60FaceTime, Skype, or another non-secure platform
15Other, please describe.
0I prefer not to answer.


Did you have any accessibility challenges using the Telehealth platform(s)? (n=330)

57%Yes
42%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


When healthcare services were sought without a vehicle (for example you walked or took the bus) were you ever asked to wait outside the facility in your vehicle until the medical provider was ready to see you? (n=415)

44%Yes
29%No
26%Not applicable
1%I prefer not to answer.


When you, your child, or someone whose healthcare you assist with were receiving medical care, were you allowed to have someone with you who would normally assist you with accessibility issues in a medical setting? (n=356)

71%Yes
25%No
4%I prefer not to answer.


Because of your visual impairment, was there an exception made to the facility's policy to allow you to have someone with you? (n=357)

59%Yes
21%No
18%I’m not sure.
2%I prefer not to answer.


During the COVID-19 pandemic I was given accessible information to make informed decisions for myself, my child, or someone who I support with healthcare needs. (n=360)

70%Yes
28%No
2%I prefer not to answer.


If you were hospitalized with COVID-19, would you have any concerns with the level of healthcare you would receive as a person who is blind, has low vision, or is deafblind? (n=309)

54%Yes
41%No
5%I prefer not to answer.


As a person with a visual impairment and underlying health condition(s), do you have any concerns about the healthcare you would receive if you were to be hospitalized with COVID-19? (n=144)

72%Yes
27%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Did you experience any changes in your mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic? (n=455)

57%Yes
41%No
2%I prefer not to answer.


During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had access to resources to support my challenges with mental well-being. (n=255)

29%Strongly agree
43%Agree
16%Neither agree or disagree
9%Disagree
3%Strongly disagree


Safety and Transportation

Due to your visual impairment, at any time during the COVID-19 pandemic did you have concerns about maintaining social distance (staying 6 feet away from others)? (n=451)

71%Yes
28%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Select all the places you had concerns about maintaining social distance due to your visual impairment. (n=320)

232In indoor public spaces such as grocery stores or doctor’s offices
140When with a family member, friend, or someone I hire to give me a ride who does not live in my home.
121When in outdoor public spaces such as a park
44In the building where I live
0When exercising
40Other, please describe.
1I prefer not to answer.


Select all the places you had concerns about maintaining social distance due to your visual impairment. (n=320)

232In indoor public spaces such as grocery stores or doctor’s offices
140When with a family member, friend, or someone I hire to give me a ride who does not live in my home.
121When in outdoor public spaces such as a park
44In the building where I live
0When exercising
40Other, please describe.
1I prefer not to answer.


Due to your visual impairment did you have concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic about your ability to tell if others were wearing masks? (n=452)

64%Yes
34%No
2%I prefer not to answer.


Select all places you had concerns about your ability to monitor others wearing masks. (n=289)

209In indoor public spaces such as grocery stores or doctor’s offices
135When in outdoor public spaces such as a park
122When with a family member, friend, or someone I hire to give me a ride who does not live in my home.
66When exercising
0In the building where I live
28Other, please describe.
4I prefer not to answer.


Voting

Did you vote in the presidential election in November 2020? (n=431)

81%Yes
17%No
2%I prefer not to answer.


Did you vote by mail-in ballot? (n=356)

67%Yes
32%No
1%I prefer not to answer.


Was this your first time using a mail-in ballot? (n=239)

53%Yes
46%No
1%I prefer not to answer.