บทบาทและศักยภาพของคนพิการทางสายตาที่ถูกนำเสนอผ่านรายการโทรทัศน์ “Blind Date”

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to explore 1) the guidelines of creating a television program that promotes the roles and potential of visually-impaired people, 2) the role and potential of those people that were on the show Blind Date, and 3) the perception and attitudes of the viewers of this program. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews, textual analysis and focus group.

The findings revealed that Blind Date was a combination of documentary and reality program presenting the life of a visually-impaired person through the perspective of a celebrity. They met on a date and exchanged ideas about a visually-impaired person’s way of life. The selection of issues to be presented in the program was based on whether he/she had a similar background as a guest so that they can do deepen their understanding. The textual analysis of the roles and potential of the visually-impaired people which is the highest frequency is the learning and perception potential. In addition, it was found that the roles of these visually-impaired were well aware of role and potential of the visually-impaired people. The viewers like the host and the guest that had a similar background, providing the viewers with deeper understanding of the issues presented. They suggested that the producers should incorporate audio description into the program so that viewers at all level could access it.