{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,19]],"date-time":"2026-03-19T14:41:36Z","timestamp":1773931296742,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":40,"publisher":"AOSIS","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]],"date-time":"2026-03-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1773964800000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: As indicated by the \u2018interdisciplinary turn\u2019, a multidisciplinary approach is critical to meet the needs of children with visual impairments (CWVIs). A less explored discipline, however, is that of the child and youth care (CYC) profession. The Circle of Courage Model and Being, Interpreting and Doing (BID) framework were used to design a semi-structured interview for caregivers of CWVIs.\nObjectives: A qualitative study was conducted to obtain an understanding of the CYC needs of CWVIs. The study aimed to obtain this understanding within the child\u2019s school and home microsystems in order to identify challenges, gaps and contributions in meeting the CYC needs of CWVIs.\nMethod: A qualitative case study design was followed with the semi-structured interview schedules derived from the mentioned CYC models. Fifteen caregivers were interviewed telephonically, comprising seven home caregivers and eight professional staff members. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.\nResults: Six themes and nine sub-themes emerged from the analysis. A key finding is that the caregiver\u2019s intentional approach to strength-focused development allows for holistic growth and self-confidence in CWVIs. The role of the caregiver is perceived to play an important role in creating \u2018integral environments\u2019 that cater for the CYC needs of the CWVIs.\nConclusion: Findings from the case study confirmed the relevance of the CYC approaches to the meeting of needs and a context specific approach to activity programming. Recommendations are provided for the caregiver, the school, the CYC profession and society. A contribution of the findings is the unpacking of the needs of CWVIs within an ecological and activity context.\nContribution: The results of the study provides insight into the understudied role of CYC in working with children with disabilities in an African context. It accentuates the importance of inclusive modes of communication on societal level, and resources required to ensure equal access to educational services. The article further contributes to the CYC knowledge base and meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 Agenda, targets 4.5 and 4.8, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/ajod.v15i0.1851","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,19]],"date-time":"2026-03-19T11:58:30Z","timestamp":1773921510000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["A child and youth care approach to meeting the needs of children with visual impairments: A case study exploration"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-2760-5259","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lydia","family":"Kankya","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"EMERIS"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3926-8579","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rika","family":"Swanzen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"EMERIS"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","unstructured":"Brendtro, L.K., Brokenleg, M. & Van Bockern, S., 2005, \u2018The circle of courage and positive psychology: Research into practice\u2019, Reclaiming Children and Youth 14(3), 130\u2013136."},{"key":"ref1","unstructured":"Brokenleg, M. & Van Bockern, S., 2003, \u2018The science of raising courageous kids\u2019, Reclaiming Children and Youth 12(1), 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