Yes! Blind people play a wide variety of sports. Adapted versions of mainstream games like beeping soccer are common options. When I was younger, I was a competitive team gymnast and downhill skier despite of my visual limitations. I fully believe that with an attitude of flexibility and perseverance, virtually any sport can be made possible for a blind or low vision athlete!
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But did you know there are sports designed specifically for players who are visually impaired? One of the most popular events at the Paralympic games is Goalball. A team sport played only by visually impaired athletes, Goalball involves rolling a ball full of bells inside at high speed across the court and into the opponents’ goal. The other team attempts to block the ball with their bodies, sometimes even laying down on the court. Three team members can play at any given time, while three others wait on the bench. Because visual impairment comes in a spectrum of residual visual functionality, all players wear eye masks that equalize these differences. In addition to having a ball that makes noise, the game is played on a court with raised (tactile) marks so that players can feel their location by the texture of the floor. But if you attend a goalball game, please do NOT behave like you are at a basketball game. Since athletes must rely on their hearing to know where the ball is, spectators must be quiet to let them concentrate. It is still appropriate to cheer after a goal is made though! Get ready to support the six blind athletes of USA’s Goalball team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games this summer!
