SPORTS OUTSIDE SCHOOL
Below is a list of sporting charities, multi activity clubs and organisations who work with vision impaired children, young people and adults. Sports offered by these organisations will give visually impaired children and young people the chance to socialise with peers with a vision impairment. This list is a suggestion only, is not comprehensive and is subject to change.
This list does not include mainstream local sporting opportunities. There will be many available to children and young people in your area. Always consult your local authority’s “Local Offer” for sporting organisations local to you. Please let us have details of local sports opportunities and organisations you know about that might benefit other parents and families.
SPORTING ORGANISATIONS AND CHARITIES PROVIDING VISION IMPAIRMENT SPECIFIC SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES
RNIB
A comprehensive list of Sports and Sports organisations which offer sporting opportunities to vision impaired children young people and adults.
As above.Blind Cricket England & Wales (BCEW).
The BCEW have been working in partnership with British Blind Sport and the England and Wales Cricket Board since 2006 to deliver competitive cricket for those who are blind or partially sighted running national and international competitions. Find out more about blind cricket from youth development, the national league and cup competitions to the England team. Find out more on the BCEW website.
DisabilitySport.org.uk is a guide to organised sport and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities at both local and international levels. Our mission is to facilitate access to disability sports by providing information on a wide range of sports and sports organisations focusing on people with hearing, visual, physical and intellectual impairment.
England and Wales blind golf is a registered Charity, with the principle aim of providing registered blind people with the opportunity to participate and compete in the great game of golf. Blind Golf is played strictly to the Royal and Ancient Rules of Golf with the exception that players are allowed to ground their club in a hazard.
The Scottish Blind Golf Society is the only registered charity which is a voluntarily run organisation, providing quality competition and training in golf for registered blind and visually impaired people in Scotland, recognised as a governing body by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
Off-road driving for young people who are blind or partially sighted proves to be a very popular event. Many organisations provide the opportunity for young people to spend the day driving different vehicles and also taking part in other adventurous activities.
Metro is a London-based charity; our aim is to open doors to sport for all vision impaired people, regardless of age or sporting ability.
Parkrun and Sport England run a project to get more people with visual impairments participating at Parkrun. They can provide running guides. Contact Parkrun on the web address above to see if they can help.
Riding for the Disabled Association
Sailability
This organisation provides a copy of the 124 page Sailing Site Guide, showing all sailing clubs approved to cater for visually impaired. This shows hundreds of clubs using rivers, lakes, gravel pits, reservoirs and the sea throughout the UK. Get your copy to find your local sailing club. Call 08445569550 or visit the website.
Visually Impaired Sailing Association of Great Britain
VI-SA-GB is a membership organisation led and operated by an executive committee for all members and its underlying philosophy is that the world of offshore sailing and blue water exploration is for everyone.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Snowsport England
Snowsport England is the Governing Body for English skiers and snowboarders and is recognised by Sport England, the SRA (Sport and Recreational Alliance) and the British Olympic Association. Most ski slopes and clubs have facilities for disabled skiers and there have been many advances in equipment in recent years which has made the sport even more accessible. Find out more by visiting the Disability section of the Snowsport England website.
Outspan Rebels VI Ski Team
The Outspan Rebels is a collective of Visually Impaired Skiers from across the UK, brought together to introduce visually impaired skiing onto the able-bodied indoor ski race circuit, making the sport more inclusive for Visually Impaired Skiers.
For more information please visit the Outspan Rebels Facebook page or contact us for details of the next Nystagmus Network Outspan Rebels Snow Camp.
The Tennis Foundation
The Tennis Foundation aims to make tennis a sport which is inclusive and accessible to all people and communities. The charity works with schools and colleges to help more young players take up the sport, including children with vision impairment.
Swimming – Level Water
Level Water provides free one-to-one swimming lessons for children aged 4-11 with physical disabilities and sensory impairments. They work in partnership with local pools to provide free one-to-one swimming lessons for children with disabilities. The aim is to teach your child the basics of swimming and, if possible, get them successfully integrated into mainstream swimming lessons.
Lessons are available to children aged 4-11
– Who cannot currently swim ten metres
– With a physical disability or sensory impairment (visual / hearing)
– Who do not have a substantial learning, social or behavioural difficulty (e.g. Downs, Autism or ADHD)