"You Are Just a Life Role Model" a Multiple Case Study of Teachers With Visual Impairment in the Field of Visual Disabilities.

This article examines the lived experiences of adults with visual impairment (VI) who pursue careers as Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVIs), highlighting their role modelship and the barriers they face in education and employment. Using a qualitative multiple case study of seven adults with VI across different career stages, the study reveals a persistent double bind: participants were often perceived as unqualified due to their disability while simultaneously dismissed as taking an "easy" path because of their shared disability identity. Despite these challenges—including inaccessible materials, transportation difficulties, and ableist attitudes—TSVIs with VI bring valuable lived experience that enhances their teaching, advocacy, and support for students with VI. The findings underscore the need for systemic changes in teacher preparation, policy, and school leadership to dismantle ableist assumptions, promote disability-affirming environments, and recognize disability as an asset rather than a deficit.