What is See Sport Differently?
See Sport Differently is a Sport England funded initiative in partnership with RNIB and British Blind Sport.
We want more people with sight loss to get involved and feel the benefits as participants or spectators.
Research shows that blind and partially sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive compared to people without sight loss. We want to change this.
Based on insights from blind and partially sighted people, we have developed a programme of activity to tackle the biggest barriers that stop blind and partially people from getting involved in sport and activity.
Through See Sport Differently we are determined to challenge perceptions about sport and sight loss, so that blind and partially sighted people can get involved however they want to.
What we have learnt
- Blind and partially sighted people are twice as likely to be inactive compared to the general public.
- One in two blind and partially sighted people feel that having sight loss stops them from exercising as much as they want to.
- One in three blind and partially sighted people said there were sports or fitness activities they would like to try but haven't been able to.
- Accessibility and awareness, cost, confidence and transportation are all key barriers to accessing sport and physical activity for blind and partially sighted people.
- Sporting clubs and governing bodies struggle to reach blind and partially sighted people, and they lack awareness of the barriers faced by people with sight loss trying to access sports and activities.
- There is a lack of confidence among coaches to work with blind and partially sighted people.
- Blind and partially sighted people are half as likely to attend live sporting events compared to the England average. Venue accessibility is a major barrier.
Education
Coach Education
If you are looking to upskill as a coach or physical activity provider, please visit our Training & Research section to find out more about e-learning modules and coach resources on a range of VI-inclusive sports.
For more information, contact Frankie Rohan on workforce@britishblindsport.org.uk.
Educational Resources
Clubs and sight loss organisations play an important role in developing recreational activities across the country. We want to ensure that they have the knowledge to create an inclusive and accessible sporting environment for people with sight loss.
Our toolkits aim to provide helpful information to:
- Enhance the excellent local work that is happening
- Suggest ways for clubs and sight loss organisations to work in partnership
- Offer guidance for those who are in the initial stages of considering accessible and inclusive sports
To access our toolkits, please visit our Sports & Coaching Resources page.
A See Sport Differently goalball champion with a quote in pink that reads "Sport is not just about being fit or competing, it's about how it gives you confidence".
Participation
Whether you're a complete novice or a seasoned athlete, there is something for everyone, from football and cricket to guide running and goalball. Please visit our A-Z Sport to find out more about VI-friendly sports.
If you want to find a new activity to try or join a club but don't know where to start, take our See Sport Differently Quiz.
Activity Finder
Find opportunities in your area using our Activity Finder, which is a national database of over 1,000 clubs representing 30 sports. All these clubs are accessible and welcome new members. If you are aware of opportunities not currently registered, then help us to share them with our community. Please encourage them to register at on our website.
To see what clubs and organisations are currently using our Activity Finder, visit our Activity Finder webpage for the latest activities.
Find a Guide
In addition to our Activity Finder, if you want to take up running and need a guide to support you , we have our Find a Guide database, in partnership with England Athletics, which allows you to find a trained and licensed guide in your area to help you start or continue running safely.
To find our more about our Find a Guide programme, visit our database here.
A See Sport Different judoka champion with a quote that reads "If you start a sport and something doesn't feel right, then try another".
Active at Home
To help keep our members and services users #ActiveAtHome, we at British Blind Sport have worked with inclusive trainers to develop a programme to keep you healthy and active from the comfort of your own living room. We have a range of workouts suitable for people of all ages and abilities from yoga and pilates to HIIT and boxing. To view our full catalogue of pre-recorded workouts, visit our YouTube channel.
Home workouts with Mr Motivator
These 3-minute workouts will help you get moving and are suitable for a range of abilities and sight loss conditions.
They are all audio led and therefore fully accessible, with a mixture of seated and standing exercises involved.
Each workout can be done separately, but you may like to try combining some of the videos to create a longer workout. We recommend always doing a warmup first.
British Blind Sport Events
We recognise that sometimes, your first step into sport can be quite daunting. Throughout the year, along with sporting partners, British Blind Sport host free taster events across the country where people can be encouraged to try out a variety of sports and physical activities to see which suits best.
To check out our upcoming events, visit our Events page.
A See Sport Differently champion with a quote that reads "Sometimes I struggle with a negative mindset but I forget all about that when I'm running."
We hope to inspire and activate our community by sharing positive messages about the achievements and experiences of people with sight loss in sports and physical activity.
From recreational to Paralympic level, hear more from our wonderful #SeeSportDifferently sporting stars who already take part in sports and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of staying active.
Help spread the world by sharing our campaign video below and how you See Sport Differently by using our hashtag #SeeSportDifferently.
Get in touch
Please contact the See Sport Differently team if you have any questions or would like more information about the project by emailing Frankie Rohan on workforce@britishblindsport.org.uk or Philippa Bass on philippa@britishblindsport.org.uk or call our office on 01926 424247.
Visit www.rnib.org.uk/see-sport-differently to fill out an inquiry form, or send an email to seesportdifferently@rnib.org.uk. You can also contact RNIB by phone on 0303 123 9999 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
