1. “Lived experiences of Malaysian adults with visual impairments: A comparison between the Kawa Model and the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance” A Bachelors Thesis Presentation Prepared by: TeohJou Yin (Matric. No. A 118729) Final year undergraduate, Occupational Therapy Programme, Faculty of Health Sciences, UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia. Under supervision of: Pn. SaraswathyVenkataraman (UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia) Pn. SitiArbiKamso (UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia) Dr. Michael K. Iwama (University of Toronto, Canada)

2. ABSTRACT The lived experiences of Malaysian adults with visual impairments have not known to be widely explored, particularly from an occupational therapy point of view. In this pilot study using qualitative methods adapted from narrative inquiry, phenomenology and ethnography, two occupational therapy frameworks, the Kawa Model and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (representative of the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance) are applied to elicit the narratives of lived experience from five (n=5) randomly selected Malaysian adults of various age, race and religious backgrounds to determine what this specific population regards as being important to them. The findings show that besides the life activities of work, education, leisure activities and community management, Malaysian adults with visual impairments also regarded self worth, being able to live life on their own terms, concerns that develop alongside typical life processes as well as social factors (social activities and social environments) as being important to them. The findings also provide a basis of comparison as to the effects of applying different frameworks can influence the focus of occupational therapy on a specific population. Each framework has their strengths and limitations and can be used complementary to one another for a more overall comprehensive approach. In order for occupational therapy to be truly relevant and applicable to a specific client population, we must consider holistically their life perspectives embedded within the context surrounding them.

3. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

5. CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW

8. CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY

9. STUDY LOCATION: BRICKFIELDS

11. INSTRUMENTATION

12. R E S E A R C H F L 0 W C H A R T

13. CHAPTER FOUR FINDINGS

27. CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION

31. CHAPTER SIX CONCLUSION

32. What is important to people with visual impairments: Not just activities that they want and need to do everyday, But also dynamic interactions that influence decision making processes and motivations behind their actions. Influences originate from various sources: Social environments, past experiences, values, beliefs, attitudes and principles, etc. Kawa Model acknowledges and captures dynamic interactions. COPM focuses exclusively on performance of activities. In order for occupational therapy to be truly relevant and applicable to a specific client population, we must consider holistically their life perspectives embedded within the context surrounding them. Ideally, both frameworks can be used complementary to one another for a more overall comprehensive approach.

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