British Blind Sport to hold new VI awareness workshops across UK
British Blind Sport (BBS) will host a series of in-person workshops in 2023 to raise awareness of the importance of providing inclusive physical activity opportunities for people with sight loss. The sessions will be held across the UK and are open to anyone interested in learning more about delivering inclusive sport to blind and partially sighted children and adults.
The workshops, supported by the Charity Aid Foundation (CAF), will teach attendees to adapt sessions for mixed-ability groups and explore some of the safety considerations to ensure a fully accessible and inclusive environment. It will also raise awareness of the crucial role that the education, sport and sight loss sectors play in supporting blind and partially sighted children and adults to become more physically active.
Alex Pitts, National Partnerships Manager at BBS, said:
"By providing deliverers with training and access to inclusive resources, we may be able to remove some of the barriers to participation, provide positive experiences and encourage more blind and partially sighted people to participate in sport and physical activity."
Frankie Rohan, See Sport Differently Workforce Officer, said:
"The workshops will be led by BBS and delivered in a fun and engaging format. The sessions will provide an excellent opportunity for the education, sport and sight loss sector workforce to share best practice when it comes to supporting children and adults."
BBS is the national disability sports organisation that represents blind and partially sighted people in sport and physical activity in the UK. Research through BBS and the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) See Sport Differently project has found that people with sight loss are twice as likely to be inactive compared to the general public. Over half of blind and partially sighted people also feel that having sight loss stops them from exercising as much as they want to. The research demonstrates the need to raise awareness and ensure that all people with sight loss have access to opportunities that help them to get active and lead healthier and happier lives.
The dates and locations for each workshop will be confirmed by early 2023, with details for each session provided nearer to the time. The expression of interest form will determine the locations and delivery will be based on demand.
If your organisation is interested in attending a workshop, please complete an expression of interest form by 11:59pm on Friday 18 November 2022. The form should take about 5 minutes to complete.
BBS Awareness workshop expression of interest form
For more information, please contact Frankie Rohan, See Sport Differently Workforce Officer. Call 07939 832658 or email workforce@britishblindsport.org.uk.
