American Foundation for the Blind: Flatten Inaccessibility - Impact of COVID-19 on Adults Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision in the United States

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is proud to announce the release of the Flatten Inaccessibility research report, the culmination of survey findings from 1,921 U.S. participants who are blind or have low vision. Of those who participated, 65% of participants were blind and 35% had low vision. Forty-three-percent (43%) reported having an additional disability, with diabetes, hearing impairment, and significant psychiatric disorders being the most frequently reported.

The survey investigated the experiences of these participants during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine how they were affected in areas including transportation availability, healthcare, access to food and supplies, employment, education, and voting.  The survey was made possible thanks to the collaboration among 16 organizations and companies concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on adults with visual impairments in the United States.

We want to engage in dialogue about how individuals, organizations, and companies are using the results of the Flatten Inaccessibility study. Use the hashtag #FlattenInaccessibility to share your experiences and ideas.