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Step 1
Find a Judo professional that is willing to teach a handicapped student. Not that a Judo master or teacher would discriminate against a handicapped person, they just may not feel confident enough in their abilities to do so. Learning Judo in this way requires somewhat altered methods of teaching, but it is not impossible to find a teacher to take on such a challenge.
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Step 2
Purchase the correct Judo attire. This isn’t necessary for practice (although it does help to get used to your uniform). It may be necessary during lessons and is definitely required for competitive Judo. As with all martial arts, the belt you wear indicates your level of skill and knowledge. For beginners, the belt is white.
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Step 3
Condition yourself to be in the proper shape for Judo. Judo is a sport and practice of grappling, so core and upper body strength are ideal. Sit-ups, crunches, and push-ups can be done cheaply at home, or you can enroll at a local gym. The Judo instructor will also have an exercise regimen for you to follow.
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Step 4
Become familiar with the terminology, philosophy and history. A large part of martial arts is the meaning and philosophy behind it. Not only does this broaden the student’s knowledge about the art, it also aids in knowing when and why to implement force against an opponent.
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Step 5
Feel the opponent with your hands. So far, steps 1 through 4 have applied to basically any Judo student. Step 5 is focused on the impaired. In learning, training and competition, physical contact is going to be absolutely imperative. Beyond the actual physical touch executing a move, the hands and the feet should be used to locate the position of the opponent at all times. Practitioners of judo are at a disadvantage from a distance, so it’s a pretty good bet your opponent will stay right where you want them.
