Introduction and synthesis of themes

This chapter introduces the rationale for the development of the Handbook of Visual Impairment: Social and Cultural Research. The book provides insights into the ways in which foundational knowledge of research and research processes can be applied in order to build coherent, relevant and rigorous outcomes for people with visual impairment as well as interweaving practice, personal experience and theoretically informed positions. It highlights key developments in ten themed areas and uniquely combines psychological, educational, sport, aesthetics, technology and recreational issues for the complexity of research in visual impairment. Linkages between the 27 chapters and the synthesis of the ten themes are detailed.