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Judo is one of the few competitive sports that the visually impaired
athlete can participate in fully without major accommodations. Perhaps
because Judo has evolved as a martial art from ancient fighting systems,
the blind athlete can attain a special sense of satisfaction from participating
on an equal basis with sighted individuals. In competition, both shiai
and kata, blind athletes have achieved great success against top sighted
competitors.
World class competition for male blind athletes has also been available
since the mid-80's when the International Blind Sports Association
accepted Judo as a Paralympic sport and for women beginning in 1995. The
United States has achieved outstanding results in world class competitions
for the blind such as:
Today, opportunities exist for local, regional, national, and
international competition and training camps specifically for blind Judo
athletes.
In working with visually impaired Judo students there are a few
principles that can assist a coach in providing the best possible learning
environment. These are basically the same principles that should be
applied when coaching any Judo student, and can be summarized as follows:
- Use verbal descriptions to supplement demonstrations. Be as exact
and descriptive as possible. When describing an action or intended
result avoid using phrases such as "like this", "put this hand here", or
"move it this way". Terms that rely on visual cues will provide no
information to a visually impaired student and they can be confusing.
Clearly specify which body parts are involved in the technique (right or
left, inside or outside) and be consistent with descriptions. Describe
the technique or drill at a normal pace as it is demonstrated.
- Don't disrupt the class to have a blind student feel the position of
the instructor. Feel free to use the student as a partner in the
demonstration, but try not to single out the student in a way that
delays the rest of the class and makes the visually impaired student
feel self-conscious.
- Deal with the visually impaired athlete as an individual. Learn how
much vision the person has, and don't make assumptions about the
person's abilities or skill level. There are uncoordinated students who
are blind just as there are highly athletic students, there are slow and
fast learners, there are weaknesses and there are strengths to take
advantage of. Deal with individual needs, but don't treat a visually
impaired person as if that person has a handicap.
- For those who could benefit from it, begin with an orientation to
the room and mat area. Allow the visually impaired individual to become
aware of his or her surroundings through exploration and verbal
descriptions, noting any potential hazards, to allow the student to be
as self-sufficient as possible.
- During instruction or training provide audible cues, so that
students can determine their location in the room without seeing. Don't
allow visually impaired students to drift off the mats or into danger,
but avoid grabbing or pulling them to direct them, unless necessary for
safety. Offer to guide them if you think they may need assistance. Rely
on verbal instructions to respect the dignity of the individual.
- Challenge a visually impaired athlete like any other student. Expect
full participation and maximum effort.
- Fully integrate blind students into regular Judo classes whenever
possible but permit opportunities for competition and training with
other blind athletes as well. Educate all the students on the special competition rules for blind
athletes.
- Listen to your students and let them tell you if they need
assistance. Feel free to ask what you could do to help.
- Avoid teaching based on misconceptions. Although some blind athletes
may be good at matwork, it is a myth that blind athletes like matwork.
Visually impaired athletes can do foot sweeps, they can excel in ukemi
or kata, and they can be effective in all other aspects of Judo.
- The visually impaired athlete does not want others to look at them
with sympathy. Likewise, they do not want to feel as if what they do is
inspiring. It does not take special courage for a blind individual to
pursue Judo. The blind athlete would like the same opportunity to
participate as anyone else without carrying along any baggage or special
responsibilities. All students of Judo are courageous and inspiring, and
all of them overcome great difficulties and personal handicaps.
For more information about participating in competitive sports with a
visual impairment or coaching blind Judo athletes see Judo for Blind Athletes.
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