Accessible Activities

 

Before you were diagnosed as visually impaired. what did you enjoy doing? Sports? Hiking? 

You can still do them, with some adaptability. 

Hiking is always more fun with a friend or a group, and in some places you shouldn't hike alone. Your Trek pole can now be your guide cane, while your hiking companion now needs to be your sighted guide. They will need to describe the terrain (soft, firm, sandy, rocks and their size and location), bushes, just about anything as your walking together. See if there's a hiking group in your area and if they have anyone experienced to guide visually impaired people. If they do, you're all set, and don't forget to take your other friends with you so they can learn how to guide you.

Sports we are now going to refer to as Adaptive sports. After my retirement and diagnosis of visual impairment, I became an Adaptive Coach for a local nonprofit, which was funny because I was never into sports until this group. If you were into sports look online for Adaptive Sports nonprofits in your area, or if there are any professional teams. 

Here are some examples from YouTube;

Beep Baseball.  a version of America's pastime developed for those with vision impairment. The sport uses audio cues and special equipment to alert and guide players. I've actually played this.

Archery uses the same equipment as sighted archers; the bow, arrows and stabilizers are standard equipment, but notice that their sights are mounted on a tripod and not on their bow. This is because visually impaired archers aim by touching the back of their hand to the sight instead of looking through it. Another favorite sport of mine.

Skiing/Snowboarding done with the help of trained sighted guides, adapted equipment, and training programs.

Water Skiing  adaptive water skiing with minimal modifications. They use the same equipment as able-bodied skiers, but are guided by another skier. 

These are just a few. Even some of the roughest sports like football and rugby can be played by the visually impaired.

 

Remember; You're only visually impaired, you and your family can still enjoy doing the things you did before and probably more as you show them you are still capable.