New British Blind Sport visual impairment awareness in sport workshops
National Disability Sports Organisation, British Blind Sport (BBS) will hold in-person workshops in 2023 to raise awareness of the importance of providing inclusive physical activity opportunities for people with sight loss.
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.
Anyone interested in learning more about providing inclusive sport to blind and partially sighted children and adults is welcome to attend.
The workshop will cost £25 person for external participants, with a group discount available for groups of three or more people. BBS members and guests of the host venues, including employees and students, will be able to attend for free.
The workshops will be held across the UK, including London, South East, Yorkshire and Humber, North West, South West, West Midland, East Midland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Dates and venue details will be released closer to each event. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Each attendee will also receive inclusive sport resource materials and free access to BBS and UK Coaching’s ‘Coaching People with a Visual Impairment’ e-learning course, normally £16.99.
Ian Isham, Head of Sport Development 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.
Visit British Blind Sport website for workshop and registration details.
For more information, please contact Frankie Rohan, See Sport Differently Workforce Officer, call 07939 832658 or email workforce@britishblindsport.org.uk.
Photo credit: British Blind Sport
