First Steps - Sport for Children with Visual Impairment

Posted by Allan Wilson on the 20th July, 2016

We have been sent information on British Blind Sport's initiative to encourage children with visual impairment in Scotland to take part in sport:-

"What is First Steps?

"First Steps is a British Blind Sport initiative supported by Scottish Disability Sport for visually impaired children. The aim of the project is to improve visually impaired children’s health and fitness by encouraging an active lifestyle.

"The challenge

"Two in every three children do not meet the Government’s guidelines of 60 minutes activity each day and over one third are overweight or obese. The risk of inactivity and obesity is even higher for visually impaired children, who face additional barriers to participation such as a lack of inclusive PE teaching in mainstream schools, bullying and lower family income.

"Our solution

"Each child will be sent a free First Steps activity pack to their home. The pack will contain an audible ball, a pump, a reward chart and an activity booklet. The activities have been designed to be used individually or with friends and family within the home environment.

"The pilot study

The six month project has been launched in Scotland. We are seeking to work with 120 visually impaired children and their families during the study. The project is aimed at children with varying levels of visual impairment who are aged between 5 and 15 years old. We will work closely with the children and their families throughout the six month period to measure the success of this initiative. In order to support further engagement in physical activity and sport families will be a referred to Scottish Disability Regional Managers.

"Get involved

"If you have a visually impaired child and would like to be involved in the First Steps Project, please contact Scottish Disability Sport by telephoning 0131 317 1130 or alternatively email admin@scottishdisabilitysport.com"