Final answer:
The impact of "passing" on learners with visual impairments can be mixed: it may boost self-esteem and facilitate social integration but may also cause isolation and identity struggles due to the pressure to conceal their challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
How does "passing" impact a learner with visual impairments? The term "passing," in this context, refers to the ability of individuals with visual impairments to blend into the larger social environment without their disability being immediately apparent. "Passing" can have mixed effects on a learner with visual impairments. While on one hand, it may boost self-esteem and confidence, and facilitate social integration by enabling them to engage more freely with peers without the immediate label of disability, it can also have a more complex impact. It may lead to feelings of isolation and identity struggles, as the individual may not feel they can fully express their challenges or seek support for fear of being ostracized or treated differently. The desire to pass can place additional stress on the learner, as they might need to expend additional effort and energy to perform tasks that are more difficult for them due to their visual impairments. These effects are also influenced by the level of inclusiveness and accommodation provided within educational and social environments.