On This Page


This gradual loss of vision may prevent some people from enjoying their usual sporting activities. , mobility difficulties and loneliness.

However, many sports can be adapted to suit people who are blind or have low vision, and the following is just a small sample.

People who are blind or have low vision may need help to fully enjoy sporting activities. Sighted people can assist in a number of ways, including: Asking how they can best help the person who is blind or has low vision. A tandem bicycle has two seats.

The sighted person sits up front and steers, while the person who is blind or has low vision sits on the back and helps to pedal. The sighted person can give a commentary and advise the other person of hills, turns and braking. involves modified rules and equipment, such as:

  • Even numbers of players who are blind

  • sighted or have low vision on each team

  • Coloured balls are used. The sighted person advises on bunkers

  • flags club selection

  • direction distance

  • judgement. The sighted person stands next to the hole to give the player who is blind or has low vision a larger target

Rules for blind golf allow the player to ground the club in a bunker. Experienced horses at riding schools generally know their own way around the course and don’t have to be steered by riders. This means that people who are blind or have low vision may not need as much assistance from sighted people as for other sports.

Suggestions include:

  • Talk the person who is blind or has low vision through the course first. Teach them how to sit properly
  • hold the reins. Instruct them on how to direct the horse
  • such as stopping or turning

Tell the person who is blind or has low vision about upcoming obstacles. Look out for and warn the person who is blind or has low vision of low branches. Most people who are blind or have low vision find that their sense of balance improves after a few months of practising or some other self-defence discipline.

One-on-one tuition until the person masters the basics is usually required. is a popular sport among people who are blind or have low vision.

There are national and international competitions

Adaptations to normal bowls include:

  • Footer mats are used to help with orientation direction. A sighted person calls out the distance the location of the jack. A person standing behind the jack gives the person who is blind or has low vision a larger target

Individual instruction is best at first, but experienced swimmers can orient themselves in the pool if there are roped lanes. Apart from , other activities for the pool include:

  • Beach-ball soccer
  • using the hands. is slowly gaining popularity among people with vision loss

Adjustments to the normal game include:

  • A lightweight
  • large ‘Gator skin’ ball is used – this is coloured white or bright yellow. Indoor courts are preferable because of the lightweight ball

Serves are made underarm from the serving line

Two bounces are allowed instead of one

There should be a ratio of one sighted person for each totally blind person.

Choose locations close to public transport

Use defined and easy–to-follow tracks. Pick spots where guide dogs can be taken off the leash and allowed to run around.

Warn of upcoming obstacles

Offer an arm to help guide the person if they wish.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, are overweight, are over 40 years of age or haven’t exercised regularly for a long time, check with your doctor before starting any type of Tel. Many people aged 70 or over will experience significant vision loss A sedentary house-bound person can experience a variety of problems, such as overweight and obesity Sighted people can help Organising transport to and from the venue Setting up the equipment Advising on distances, direction and obstacles Assisting the person who is blind or has low vision to master the key moves of an unfamiliar sport Examples of suitable sports Bicycle riding Blind cricket Blind cricket A cane ball filled with lead and bottle tops to make noise Metal stumps to make an audible sound when the ball strikes A smaller field, so that fielders can hear the ball Underarm bowling Only one batsman at a time, to eliminate the chance of collisions Runners for completely blind batsmen Golf A person with vision loss needs a sighted player to help them.

Adaptations to normal golf Horse riding Karate and other self-defence disciplines karate Lawn bowls Lawn bowls Swimming swimming Water aerobics Walking races Tennis Tennis Walking Sighted people can help people who are blind or have low vision to enjoy a neighbourhood or bush walk See your doctor first exercise program Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your vision specialist Vision loss organisations Vision United States 1300 84 74 66 Blind Sports & Recreation Michigan (616) 555-0200.