Sports Games and Recreation for the Blind
While a visually impaired athlete might be at a disadvantage in some sports, that does not mean that they are unable to participate in a wide range of athletic games. Through the use of either a guide to help direct the athlete, or the use of a sound-generating device at the target, many games have been adapted to accommodate visually impaired athletes.
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Goal Ball
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Goal ball is a team game played by sides of three players each, using a special ball with bells inside to enable players to hear the ball. Teams attempt to throw the ball past the opposition to score a goal, with games lasting for two 10-minute halves. Players who are partially blind but still have vision can participate by wearing a blindfold, to ensure no unfair advantage is possessed.
Basketball
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Blind players can shoot at a basket through the aid of a small clicking device located at the back of the rim, or a non-player standing beneath the hoop and tapping on it with a cane. A blind high school player who had been taking all of his team's free throws with the aid of his brother tapping the rim with a cane drew national attention when, with his team down by one point, his coach sent him in to take two shots with no time left on the clock, and he made both to win the game.
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Lawn Bowling
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Lawn bowling involves a player, or team of players, attempting to throw a weighted ball at a smaller target ball. Blind players can participate in lawn bowling with the aid of a guide, who points them in the correct direction to throw the target ball, and can help line up the thrower before they launch their scoring shots.
Skiing
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The American Blind Skiing Foundation works with visually impaired individuals looking to take up skiing. The blind individual is first introduced to the skis on a flat surface, then progressed to the bunny slope once comfortable on the skis. After getting acclimated to skiing, the skier can progress to riding down the main slopes, with the aid of their guide riding in front of or behind them, delivering audio cues on when to turn or stop.
Beep Baseball
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Beep baseball is a game which features teams of both sighted and blind players. The pitcher and catcher on each team are not visually impaired, whereas all batters are, and pitchers pitch to their own team. The ball emits a beeping sound, thus the name beep baseball, and rather than the traditional diamond, the game has only first and third bases. After a hit is made, one of the bases is activated, and begins buzzing. The batter must reach that base before a fielder can pick up the ball to score a run. If a fielder gets the ball before the runner reaches the buzzing base, it is an out. Games last six innings.
Grappling Arts
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The grappling arts, such as wrestling, judo and jiu jitsu, are excellent activities for blind or visually impaired individuals to participate in, as the sports lend themselves to a level playing field with minimal rule alterations. A blind athlete participating in a grappling art with another blind individual or an individual with perfect vision, as the rules allow for the simple tweak that the participants start out already in contact, often hand contact, and must maintain some form of physical contact at all times.
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