Can Vision-Impaired Persons Participate in sports or outdoor recreational activities?
Vision impaired persons can sail, cross-country ski, canoe, hike, and bicycle, to name just a few of the sports in which many blind and visually impaired people participate. The Carroll Center’s Outdoor Enrichment Program (OEP) provides each participant with a volunteer sighted guide, who may serve as an instructor to beginners, but will serve primarily as a guide for experienced participants. Activities may be geared toward beginners or toward more advanced levels, depending on the skill level of participants. Once a person has lost their vision he or she should be encouraged to find an activity that interests them and actively participate in it. It is much more difficult for visually impaired and blind persons to exercise so having a routine program of sports activity will help that person to maintain good health. Often the staff at a recreational facility will be nervous to allow a blind person to swim, run around the track, or participate in other activities. If you have had traini
