Visually Impaired Friendly Athletics A Guide for Supporting Visually Impaired Adults and Children in Athletics Visually Impaired (VI) “Our vision is to ensure Friendly Athletics that blind and partially sighted people have as A Visible many opportunities as Welcome to the Visually Impaired Athletics possible to participate Resource produced by British Blind Sport in in sport. The key to partnership with England Athletics. raising participation is ensuring that there are At British Blind Sport we believe that every Difference plenty of coaches and person with a visual impairment has the right teachers across the to participate in the sport of their choice. We UK who understand how to create an inclusive understand that there are many hurdles and sporting environment. The purpose of each of barriers to overcome in order for each and every our bespoke educational resources is to raise Through VI person to have the same accessibility as a awareness and knowledge of how to include sighted person. This resource has been created a visually impaired person to ensure that they with the specific purpose to assist anyone who have a positive and meaningful experience in is delivering athletics activities with support, the sport of their choice. I am delighted that ideas and guidance on how to include people England Athletics provided expertise when we Sport with a visual impairment. put together this resource and I would like to thank them on behalf of British Blind Sport and This resource is all about helping mainstream the visually impaired community.” athletics providers to be VI friendly through their provision of training, resources and support. Alaina MacGregor These include: Chief Executive Officer, British Blind Sport • Athletics clubs “We are proud that This resource will enable coaches, leaders and athletics is perceived parents/carers to; by many as being a trailblazing sport in the • Have a better understanding of the needs of area of inclusive delivery. people with a visual impairment. We have made a • Apply their knowledge to meet the needs of deliberate commitment people with a visual impairment. to ensure that all resources, events and • Use basic communication skills to support the delivery programmes are inclusive at the point needs of people with a visual impairment. of use in recognition that the sport of athletics should be accessible to all and that there • Understand where you can obtain further should be no divisions. support to ensure your club/group is fully accessible and inclusive to people with a I would like to take this opportunity to visual impairment. thank British Blind Sport for their continued partnership and expertise. We hope that you By making small and simple changes you will be enjoy reading this resource and that it provides able to include people with a visual impairment inspiration to you to take action in whatever in your mainstream athletics sessions. Many of important role you play making athletics a the tips you will find here will be beneficial to all visually impaired (VI) friendly sport” the participants in your group, not just people with a visual impairment. Chris Jones Chief Executive, England Athletics Visually Impaired Friendly Athletics Page 1 Contents “Whether you join in “Great sporting sport recreationally or experiences start with compete to represent great coaches. When Section One: Understanding Visual Impairment Page 6 your country, the working with visually 1.1. What Is Visual Impairment Page 6 positive experience impaired (VI) children of participating in and adults, it is more 1.2. Understanding Common Visual Impairment Conditions Page 7 sport starts with a important than ever for knowledgeable coach coaches to be skilled in Case study: Noel Thatcher (VI runner) Page 9 or teacher. British Blind knowing how to provide Sport have recognised the right support so Section Two: Making Athletics Accessible for Visually Impaired Participants Page 10 the need for coaches and teachers across that the VI person has a positive experience the UK to understand how to adapt sport and whether it’s their first time on the track to 2.1. Visually Impaired Friendly Athletics Page 10 activities to be fully inclusive for visually impaired winning a Paralympic medal. I fully support Case study: Coral Nourrice (Coach) Page 12 children and adults. These fantastic resources British Blind Sports educational programme to help to break down barriers to participation educate coaches and teachers to ensure that 2.2. Guiding Page 14 as well as assist and provide tips on how to visually impaired people can maximise their make each sporting experience enjoyable sporting potential.” Case study: Gemma Ferguson (Guide runner) Page 16 for every visually impaired person regardless of their ability. We know sport can be the Sally Gunnell 2.3. Health and Safety Page 18 springboard for so many things for a VI person Patron, British Blind Sport such as; to increase confidence, develop spatial Case study: Dave Heeley (VI runner) Page 19 awareness, grow a social network and provide Section Three: Competitive Athletics for Visually Impaired Athletes Page 20 a sense of accomplishment. With this in mind, I wholeheartedly support this educational 3.1. Classification Page 20 programme as I recognise British Blind Sports ambition to make a visible difference through 3.2. Competition Page 20 sport.” 3.3. Pathways for Visually Impaired Athletes Page 25 Rt Hon David Blunkett MP Member of Parliament for Case study: Erin McBride (VI runner) Page 26 Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough Section Four: Further Information Page 28 4.1. Resources and Guidance Page 28 4.2. Useful contacts Page 28 Further information about British Blind Sport Page 29 Further information about England Athletics Page 29 Summary and Best Practice Page 31 Acknowledgements Page 33 Page 2 Visually Impaired Friendly Athletics Page 3 Courtesy of England Athletics Page 4 Visually Impaired Friendly Athletics Page 5 1.2. Understanding Common Visual Colour confusion (also known as colour Section One Impairment Conditions blindness) Understanding Visual Impairment Although it is not generally seen as a visual The common conditions below are all types impairment, due to its relatively high incidence, There are two terms regularly used to refer correctly (to ensure they are facing the correct of ocular visual impairments. This means the it is worth mentioning. This is when people to people with a sight loss condition. These direction) before taking part in an activity. condition has affected a part of the eye. There see colours differently e.g. red green colour are severely sight impaired (blind) and sight are also cortical visual impairments, which confusion occurs in 8% of males. It is found impaired (partially sighted). British Blind Sport • They may not know when they are standing occur when the processing of information more commonly in males due to its genetic uses the term Visual Impairment (VI) to refer too close to a fellow participant. received from the eye is at fault, and not the eye origin, causing faults in the cones on the back to all levels of sight loss. Please note that itself. of the eye. throughout this document a person with a • They may become disorientated part way visual impairment (either adult or child) is often through an activity and need your voice to find Albinism You may become aware of a participant with referred as a ‘VI participant’. the correct direction. This condition occurs due to a lack of colour confusion in tasks that are colour centred pigmentation in the skin or eyes; causing a e.g. “run to the red cone”. An easy remedy to 1.1. What Is Visual Impairment Sight impaired (partially sighted) reduced visual acuity. Bright light will cause this situation is to ask the participant to name discomfort to people with this condition. This is the colour of the item you want them to collect. Visual impairment can be broadly defined as ‘a • People with a visual impairment in this important to consider when holding a session limitation in one or more functions of the eye or category may or may not be able to see print. in a brightly lit venue or in direct sunlight. Partial sight and blindness can be broadly visual system’. It can be congenital (someone is If sunlight or floodlights are shining into an defined as a limitation in one or more functions born with the impairment) or acquired and can • They may not be able to recognise you from a environment, it may alter a person’s vision. of the eye or visual system, most commonly range from: distance when you greet them at the start of impairment of visual acuity (sharpness or the session. Nystagmus clarity of vision), visual fields (the ability to Nystagmus is the involuntary movement of the detect objects to either side or above or below PARTIALLY BLIND SIGHTED • They may not be able to see a demonstration eye, with the person’s eyes appearing to shake the direction in which the person is looking), due to light conditions or their position in or oscillate. This condition is often a factor contrast sensitivity and colour vision. relation to you. in other visual impairments such as Albinism. Sight is classified on more than one measure. People with nystagmus may find it difficult to Conclusion The main measures are ‘Visual acuity’ and No light perception follow a moving football, due to the movement There are some sight loss conditions that occur ‘Visual field’. of the eye. There may also be an angle of as part of a syndrome. These conditions affect • When no information is detected by the eye, sight that the nystagmus affects the least. This more than one part of the body. For example, Visual acuity the brain is prevented from processing any means that the visually impaired participant may Usher’s Syndrome affects both hearing and A person’s ability to see fine detail e.g.