ประสบการณ์ชีวิตการเป็นอาสาสมัครดวงตามืด : การศึกษาเชิงปรากฏการณ์วิทยา(Life Experiences of the Blind Volunteer : A Phenomenological Study)

Abstract

Theprimary objectives of the study of “Life Experiences of the Blind Volunteer: APhenomenological Study” were to understand the experience of volunteering andfind the core experience of being blind volunteer and to understand the meaningand characteristics of the volunteers including conditions related to thedecision making to be a blind volunteer. In addition, the secondary objectiveof this study was to find the developing guideline for being effective blindvolunteers by using qualitative research methodology based on transcendentalphenomenology study. In understanding the phenomenon, data was collected byprimarily using in-depth interview with 8 blind volunteers (who serve as theguides of the exhibition called “Dialogue in the Dark”) in order to meet theprimary and secondary research objectives. To address the secondary researchobjective, the researcher conducted a focus group discussion with 5 volunteerswho have normal eyesight. The result of this study showed that blind volunteerused to have “give and gain” experiences from their family and society.Meanwhile, generating benefit to society is the main point of agreement amongblind volunteers to work as exhibition instructor. In terms of characteristics,  egos of blind volunteer could be categorizedin to many types such as self-confidence generosity giver and challenge. Forconditions that arouse their participation in volunteer program depended on thecontext of environment and core condition is an increase in the blind peopleabout their own value and helps to raise their self esteem. Guidelines todevelop capability of blind volunteer are developing skill of blind volunteersin varios aspects as well as developing content and display of exhibition.                         Keywords: Lifeexperiences,  Blind volunteer,  Phenomenological study