How can I make a sports or activity club accessible for children with a vision impairment?

Clubs, providers and community settings have a duty under legal rights legislation to make their provision accessible. 

Depending on the activity, simple adaptions can make a real difference with little cost. These include:  

• making things tactile or audible 

• being descriptive 

• making things high contrast 

• guiding a child’s movements verbally, haptically, or physically 

You could also encourage a child to arrive early to check out the setting or spectate their first few times so the action can be described to them, so they know what to expect. 

British Blind Sport has information and resources on supporting and coaching people with vision impairment, including their See Sport Differently toolkit. 

Drama and book clubs may be able to source scripts from open sources and link with education provision. 

Art clubs may be able to make their materials more tactile and request support from specialist providers. Pottery, sculpting and 3D art, where a shape can be felt and moulded, are all great activities. 

Games clubs (e.g. chess) may be able to source tactile or large-print versions of their games. 

Gardening and nature clubs can be full of contrasting colours, smells, sounds and textures. 

If the adaptions you make include purchasing specialist equipment, you may be able to get funding for this from organisations such as Disability sports. 

A Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment (QTVI) may be able to support with making school sports activities and after-school clubs accessible. 

RNIB Specialist Advice Service Advisors can give further information on this topic