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Use several activities to help a blind student run during physical education classes. Depending on the resources available you may choose to use a guidewire, sighted guide, or tether.
A guidewire, or a rope pulled taught between to places, is easy for a child to hold onto as he runs. The rope should have a knot tied into it at least 2 feet before the end to keep the runner from smashing into the wall or pole at the end of the line. You should also loop a carabiner clip or piece of PVC tubing over the rope so that the runner can hold it instead of the rope itself while he runs.
A sighted guide should be trained as to how to properly communicate with a blind individual. In this instance, the blind runner would simply hold the elbow or touch the shoulder of the person who is guiding him.
A tether works in a similar manner. You could tie a rope or towel between the blind student and his partner. The blind student would have the freedom to run freely but the guide would have the ability to pull him to safety at a moment's notice. The guide needs to be able to run faster than the blind student for both the sighted guide and tether technique to work safely. -
A school with blind students should be prepared to offer alternative activities to accommodate the visually impaired and a bicycle is another excellent alternative. The two best options for a school setting are either a bicycle stand or a stationary bicycle.
A stationary bicycle is the type of bike you see in a gym or sporting good store. They cost anywhere from $200 to $1,000 and usually last for years. Many have settings that will allow your blind rider to monitor how long he has been riding or how far he has traveled.
Place a regular 10-speed bicycle on a bicycle stand so that it can be ridden as if it is a stationary bike. This is a great alternative for those on a budget because you can use a bike you already have. Placing it on the stand immobilizes it so you can pedal as normal without fear of moving into a dangerous area.
Both of these options are advantageous because your blind student will be able to participate in an activity regardless of the current weather conditions and he also won't have to worry about having a sighted guide with him at all times. You can also set up a stationary bike or bicycle stand in a relatively small area. -
If you're lucky enough to teach in a school with a swimming pool, encourage your blind students to begin swimming. Swimming gives blind students the opportunity to move their bodies with very little restriction.
While a blind student should never be left in the water alone, he should be encouraged to begin swimming either by himself or with the use of a flotation device. He should learn how to tread water, float, and then gradually work into swimming laps with the aid of the wall and lane line guides.
Swimming is an excellent physical education activity for blind students because it encourages them to build muscle strength, learn balance, and increase their stability. It's very easy to adapt aquatic activities to meet the needs of blind students.
