The SportsVision project began in October 1999 as the fellowship work of Susan Lichtenfels, a young woman who is both blind and paralyzed. The bulk of her work focused on creating recreation opportunities for children who are visually impaired and investigating the on-going need for similar programs and services. During the fifteen-month project, SportsVision served more than 40 visually impaired youngsters in Southwestern Pennsylvania through two sports clinics and four recreational afternoons.
In February 2000 a committee of advisors expressed a definite need for an independent organization to address sports and recreation needs of visually impaired individuals. The committee suggested services focusing on community and professional education, the creation of adaptive curricula, informational resources, model programs, and limited activity planning. Based on the fellowship programs and subsequent investigation, Susan has incorporated SportsVision as an independent non-profit organization. SportsVision is designed to develop opportunities, which enable individuals who are visually impaired to participate in competitive sports and life-long leisure activities. Its four program strategies are education, information, advocacy, and demonstration. The ultimate goal is a community where individuals who are visually impaired have the freedom to pursue and experience the many benefits of competitive sports and leisure activities.
Currently SportsVision publishes this quarterly newsletter, presents talks on including children and adults in mainstream physical activity, and offers a website containing information on adapting a variety of sports and leisure opportunities. We are also beginning to conduct focus group discussions among visually impaired individuals to identify the gaps and barriers specifically related to participation in sports and leisure activities within their community. Over the next three to five years SportsVision plans to expand its programs throughout all of Western Pennsylvania.
SportsVision’s future services may include: professional in-service trainings, an adaptive leisure equipment lending library, written training materials, case-by-case advocacy, a sports and leisure database, model inclusive programs, alternative physical education curriculum, and some activity planning. Most activities will take the form of clinics, expos, and camps designed to educate and inform participants about potential opportunities. The sports and leisure database promises to be a comprehensive collection of blindness recreation opportunities, inclusive mainstream recreation providers, adaptive equipment resources, individual instructors/coaches familiar with visually impaired participants, and activity mentors who are visually impaired and can offer insight. The model programs which SportsVision intends to develop may include an inclusive goalball league and flexible physical education curriculum. These models will demonstrate that blind and sighted peers can participate together without compromising the integrity of the activity. Overall, SportsVision’s services are aimed at addressing long-standing systemic problems related to the community’s perceptions about the sports and leisure interests and abilities of people who are visually impaired. The feedback and involvement of individuals who are visually impaired will be crucial in the development of effective and appropriate programs.
SportsVision has already received a grant from Western Michigan University’s Department of Blind Rehabilitation to hold two Sport Education Camps in the summers of 2002 and 2003. Although camp activities will run for one week, they will be broken into two mini-camps. The first mini-camp, usually 2-3 days will teach basic movement and body awareness to visually impaired youngsters ages 10-12. The second mini-camp, usually three to four days, offers in-depth training in specific sport activities for visually impaired youth between 13 and 16. The camps are scheduled to be held at Slippery Rock University. As a preview of the camp activities, we are planning to hold a one-day sports clinic in the spring. The next quarterly newsletter will include more details along with the registration applications.
Jeff and Joyce Mulkern, avid outdoor enthusiasts from Glenshaw recently participated in the Great Ohio Bike Adventure. Their 350-mile trek began in Gallipolis. More than 3000 bicyclists joined them in making the 3-day trip to Marietta, Ohio and the 3-day return trip. Several teams of medical personnel and bike equipment vendors followed the pack to provide assistance if necessary.
Joyce piloted the tandem bicycle while Jeff, who is visually impaired, powered from the rear seat. During the day a truck carried everyone’s camping and overnight paraphernalia. Each night Jeff and Joyce pitched a tent and enjoyed the camping experience. Jeff and Joyce also enjoy canoeing and downhill skiing in their leisure time.
Tammi Swiantek, a member of the Three Rivers Rowing Association’s adaptive program struck gold twice in the Bayada Regatta held in Philadelphia this fall. The two events she participated in were the Mixed Doubles and the Single Shell. During the Mixed Doubles competition Tammi, a totally blind rower, was partnered with Heather, a young woman with a single leg amputation. The ladies had never before rowed together.
“I would rather skip a race than get thrown in with someone,” explains Tammi.
Fortunately the team was able to practice a few times before the Mixed Doubles event and it paid off. They beat the other two teams soundly.
Tammi’s other win came in a brand new event for both her and the regatta. During the singles competition, blind rowers manned their own boats and therefore both powered and steered them. Using a headset, each rower listened to directional commands from a guide in a separate boat. The rowers were given an extra lane to aid in course corrections.
“It’s quite a rush,” describes Tammi. “There’s a part of you that thinks the river is going to carry you away never to be found again… but then you feel the freedom and adrenalin.”
Tammi has been rowing for 11 years and plans to keep going. In early October she participated in the “Head of the Ohio” and set the first course record for a guided singles event.
In July Joe Wassermann, a former mathematics teacher at the Western PA School for Blind Children, attended the national tournament of the US Blind Chess Association (USBCA).
In all, 15 visually impaired players traveled to Framingham, Massachusetts to compete. The USBCA event was held in conjunction with the annual US Chess Federation’s tournament (USCF.
Joe finished with a 2-2 record. One of his losses came at the hands of a former student. In fact, three of his former students actually competed.
The tournament lasted three days. Each match was given a 2-hour duration limit or 40 moves. Whoever had collected more of their opponent’s pieces was then declared the winner.
Only two adaptations are necessary for visually impaired chess players to enjoy the game. Instead of using color to distinguish between the blocks, it helps to have one color either slightly raised or textured. Likewise, since both players have identical-feeling pieces, it is imperative that the tops of one set are either flat or pointed.
Joe’s brother recently adapted a chess set by inserting small nails into the tops of the white pieces. However, his board did not need any adaptation because on high-quality sets half of the squares are already slightly raised.
Since the visually impaired chess-playing population is wide spread, enthusiasts often play via correspondence. In fact Joe is currently involved in three correspondence matches. Most are recorded onto a cassette and then replayed each time a move is being considered. When Joe makes his move he records it onto the cassette and sends the tape to his opponent. Despite the slow nature of correspondence chess, Joe loves the challenge.
“It's fantastically addictive,” assures Joe. He hopes to attend the national tournament next year as well. The 2002 USBCA Tournament is tentatively scheduled to be held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey during the USCF’s event in July. Until then Joe will continue the correspondence games he began in April of this year.
Anyone who enjoys participating in an activity on a regular basis or who has recently done so can become an Activity Mentor. Mentors are put in contact with individuals who have expressed an interest in trying a specific activity and may have questions or concerns. For example, we may connect a man interested in becoming a downhill skier with a blind person who has been skiing for several years. Activity Mentors may share information such as some of the basics, various adaptations, precautionary tips, and the like. If you have a specific sport or leisure activity you are familiar with, we would be thrilled to have you become an Activity Mentor.
Since we are creating a database of recreation providers, instructors, equipment resources, and more, we need assistance in gathering the specific contact and description data. Information Specialists can work either via the phone or the Internet to assist in identifying information to be included in our recreation database. Additional Information Specialists are needed to input the collected data into the computer. We can provide a computer and/or telephone on-site for volunteers in Pittsburgh. Much of this work can even be done from home.
A large portion of SportsVision’s efforts will focus on educating the community and professionals about the leisure interests and abilities of individuals who are visually impaired. There is no one better to assist in this education than the visually impaired individuals themselves. If you are not afraid of speaking in public, we would be interested in learning more about your leisure experiences and interests. You may be able to help our education efforts.
Developing an entire non-profit agency such as SportsVision takes a great deal of work and organization. We are seeking individuals to assist in filing, making phone calls, mailing information, proofreading documents, and writing very short pieces. While some tasks can be done from home, others require on-site assistance. Please call or email us to see how you may be able to help.
We are seeking individuals to assist on our committees. Currently we are looking for individuals to assist on a variety of our committees including fundraising, program development, camp coordination, and organizational development. No prior experience is necessary, only a healthy interest in helping. Most committee work includes planning events/activities, gathering and sharing information, and working on a team to implement the plans. For details about each specific committee, please contact SportsVision.
Attendees can participate in four activities Friday afternoon: swimming, listening to old-time radio, shooting audio darts, and playing cards and other board games. Friday evening the Bop It tournament runs. On Saturday keynote speakers Eileen Bender and Kim Mitchner will help attendees develop personal fitness routines. Registration is $5 in advance or slightly more on-site. Call PCB at (800) 736-1410 for additional details.
This event is open to all school-age youth who register. Participants will meet at Keystone Blind Association for lunch and then travel to Westminster College for riding. There is no fee for this event.
Darters of all skill levels are invited to attend this event which will run from 9 AM until approximately 3 PM at 300 S. Craig Street. The Audio Darts Group of Pittsburgh will award cash prizes totaling $400. Events will be 301 Singles and 301 Triples. Registration will be in advance and is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.
For many blind and visually impaired children, attending the circus—an event strictly based on watching the performers—can be quite boring. However, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus is offering a pre-circus opportunity that may make the circus experience more enjoyable for all.
The “Three Ring Adventure” begins one hour before show time. It is available to anyone holding a ticket for no extra charge. During the “Three Ring Adventure” attendees can meet the animals, learn to juggle, collect autographs, and try on costumes. Even adults who are visually impaired may gain an appreciation they never had as a child.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus visits Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh November 7-11. For tickets and show times call (412) 323-1919 or visit the RBBBC on the web at: www.ringling.com
Marty (Marita) Mathews is totally blind; never been married; and never mothered a child. Yet, she has lived a fuller, more exciting life than many who have seen; parented; or married. She is filled by a love for adventure and despite her blindness she leaves no opportunity untried.
During her more than 50 years Marty has tried water skiing, snow skiing, hiking, camping, horseback riding, white water rafting, canoeing, parasailing, tandem cycling, swimming, ice skating, roller skating, caving, contra dancing, snow tubing, and even more activities than she can remember.
“I guess I have a wild streak,” explains Marty. “What is there for me to try that someone will let me try?”
Marty’s outdoor adventures have taken her across the country and around the world. She experienced a canoeing trip around the boundary waters of Minnesota in 1987. In 1989 she participated in a 200-mile tandem bicycle tour throughout many of our National Parks. She has experienced a horse-packing trip, a tour of Spain, and a cruise through the Hawaiian Islands. One of her most trying and exhausting adventures took place during a tandem bicycle tour around rural Holland. Marty flew into Amsterdam only to learn that her luggage had been lost. Assured that the baggage would eventually arrive she began on her cycling tour. Not long after beginning the tour Marty began feeling sick—an upset stomach and lethargy. Although she tried to keep going, the sickness wore her down quickly. Marty was forced to ride along in the support van before the end of the first day. Fortunately the Dutch found Marty a concoction similar to Pedialyte for children which helped replace her electrolytes. On the third day she was well enough to get back on the bike to continue her tour. It was about this same time that her luggage had finally been recovered. But a new glitch surfaced.
Since Marty had still not fully recovered before resuming the ride, they needed to find a way for her to keep drinking the concoction while riding. Before Marty knew it, she was sipping her electrolyte concoction from an Even-Flo baby bottle. But the adventure did not end there. Just after her departure flight from Amsterdam took off, the plane had to turn around because of engine trouble. Marty ended up spending an extra night with the Dutch. Although she does not plan to repeat that trip anytime soon, Marty is always looking for a new adventure.
“If an opportunity presents itself, try it because it may never come along again,” encourages Marty. “If you don’t like it after a fair try then you never have to do it again.”
Marty has tried several activities which she now realizes she does not enjoy. They include bowling, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and rock climbing.
“I guess I’ve always liked things that were more physical,” says Marty.
Of all the activities Marty has tried, her passion is downhill skiing. She joined a group called “Blind Outdoor Leisure Development” (BOLD) in 1974 and attended basic lessons at Boyce Park. But once Marty had mastered the slopes of Western Pennsylvania she needed another challenge.
In the late 70’s she participated in the Ski for Light program. Her annual trips to Aspen, Colorado have spanned more than two decades now. During her 1982 trip, a guide filmed Marty’s adventures on video so she could share her experience with her parents.
“My dad was amazed they were real mountains. He thought they were just taking us on small hills. He was impressed,” remembers Marty.
Only once has Marty actually been afraid of an adventure. Recently she was given the opportunity to dive off a river rock into the water below. Although the height was only nine feet, Marty could not bring herself to jump. “I just couldn’t force myself to do it,” admits Marty. “I’ve always said I’d like to sky dive but I might chicken out.”
Regardless of what adventures Marty’s future may hold, her past escapades have certainly inspired blind and sighted individuals alike. No one can legitimately believe she has not lived a full life despite her blindness. In fact, she has lived more than most.
During the last few years the Keystone Blind Association (KBA), which serves Mercer and Crawford Counties has become one of Pennsylvania’s leading recreation and leisure services for children who are visually impaired.
“Keystone Kids” was founded in September 1999 by Kathie Preece, a certified instructor of Orientation & Mobility, to meet both the social and functional needs of visually impaired children. The program uses specially designed leisure activities as opportunities to teach basic social etiquette and daily living skills.
Every year KBA sponsors a “Lock-In” where youngsters stay overnight at the association’s Sharon location. Throughout the experience youngsters practice cooking, grooming, pouring, cutting, and cleaning.
Keystone Kids have also participated in beep baseball, bowling, beeping Easter egg hunts and more. Additional learning opportunities include cane travel, socializing with peers, keeping track of one’s own things, paying at a counter, and tying one’s own shoes. In addition, each summer Keystone Kids offers day camps to educate visually impaired children about various careers and assistive technology.
The key to the success of the Keystone Kids program is Preece’s determination to remove the barriers of transportation and cost which often deter participation in similar programs. The KBA has never charged a fee for these activities and does not foresee any in the near future. If youngsters need a ride, Preece can usually arrange to have them picked up by a volunteer or agency staff person. Other county blind associations have also provided some transportation for the youth in their service areas.
Some of the most recent participants in Keystone Kids have hailed from Crawford, Lawrence, and Mercer Counties as well as Ohio. However, any school-age child is welcome to join the fun regardless of their county of residence. Pre-school children are also welcome if they are accompanied by an adult.
Preece tries to schedule at least one activity each month. On November 10 participants will meet at the KBA for lunch and then travel to Westminster College for horseback riding. In December youngsters will enjoy swimming at the Penn-Ohio Rehabilitation Center in its therapeutic pool. Plans are also being made for a music workshop early next year.
For more information about the Keystone Kids program or to receive registration forms, please call SportsVision at (412) 441-4940 or send email to Info@MySportsVision.org
The events of September 11 forced many of us to look inward and closely examine what is really important to us. Many of our responses included: learning to truly value our family and friends, renewing our faith in religion, and being kinder to our fellow man. For other Americans the tragedy catapulted them from a state of accepting whatever course life offered to a passionate pursuit of their life dreams. Some of their actions included quitting their job, selling a family business, and even leaving an unhappy marriage. While some may consider the reactions of these few individuals to be silly or extreme, I hope there is at least a small piece of their spirit in all of us because daring to dream is the spark that fuels change.
Today visually impaired people excel at skiing, swimming, wrestling, and mountain climbing. They have enjoyed horseback riding, rafting, bicycling, and rowing. Adaptations have been made which enable visually impaired people to play baseball, basketball, and golf. All of these opportunities and more exist today because at some time visually impaired individuals decided they were no longer satisfied with a sedentary lifestyle. They dared to dream about being active in sports and leisure activities.
Just one year ago, in September 2000, Marla Runyan, a visually impaired runner competed in the Olympics against sighted runners. Marla placed 5 among the world’s top female athletes. She did not beat the others because they let her win. She did not qualify for the Olympics by default. She excelled because she dared to put one foot in front of the other and chase down her vision of becoming a world-class athlete.
Even if you are neither a Marla Runyan nor a blind recreation pioneer, you probably do have a sports vision. Are there sports and leisure opportunities you’ve always wanted to try? What exciting recreation opportunities have you been missing because you assumed you couldn’t do it? If we have the capacity to take one more thing from the September 11 events, let it be the inspiration to reach for our sports visions while we are still here and still physically able. On your mark--get set--GO!!
Since SportsVision is a young organization, we are still planning our future programs and fundraisers. We would like to hear your ideas for developing SportsVision into a dynamic organization that works to address the sports and leisure desires of visually impaired Western Pennsylvanians. It’s important to let us know what activities you are interested in trying. In addition, if you have ideas for creative fundraising opportunities, we welcome them. Please send your comments or suggestions to SportsVision or email them to: ideas@MySportsVision.org Thank you in advance for your commitment to making SportsVision a success.
We are seeking upcoming events, recreation information, and feature articles to include in future issues of this newsletter. Topics should focus on sports and leisure opportunities for and of individuals who are visually impaired within Western Pennsylvania. We are especially eager to share information regarding individuals and activities outside of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Send submissions to:
SportsVision,
333 S. Highland Ave. #404,
Pittsburgh PA 15206
or email: News@MySportsVision.org.
SportsVision reserves the right to print any and all submissions in part or in whole without compensation to the writer/sender. Events organized for fundraising purposes alone will not be considered.
This holiday season SportsVision will be giving away cash for Christmas. Our first official fundraising campaign kicks off Monday, October 15 as we begin selling chances for our Cash for Christmas Raffle. Chances will be sold for $2 each or three for $5. And the winners…they’ll be guaranteed to have Cash for Christmas. The prizes are as follows: First Prize $400, Second Prize $250, Third Prize $100. The drawing will take place December 16, 2001. Chances can be purchased through the mail by sending a check or money order made payable to SportsVision to 333 S. Highland Ave. Highland Commons #404, Pittsburgh PA 15206. Be sure to write “Cash for Christmas” in the memo field. Chances can also be purchased in-person from various SportsVision volunteers. Thanks in advance for your support and we ho-ho-hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Usually when we talk about including children who are visually impaired into mainstream physical education classes many folks become concerned that the specific adaptations needed to address the needs of the disabled student will water down both the instructional and enjoyment value of an activity. For a few activities this fear is valid however, more often than not inclusive practices benefit everyone involved. Darts is one such activity where sighted and visually impaired youngsters can play and compete together without concern.
Darts can teach all participants skills in targeting/aiming, coordination, isolated muscle movement, and posture. In addition darters can exercise their minds through concentration and even math skills such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication when determining their score. Players who are visually impaired gain additional skills in spatial orientation, listening, and locating fallen objects. Using darts in a physical education setting can also help with socialization and team spirit.
Sighted and visually impaired youngsters can actually compete against one another in darts. The activity will allow new friendships to form and give visually impaired children more self-confidence. Including darts into the physical education curriculum is a win-win situation.
Although the game of darts has been around for centuries, it has only been within the last two decades that visually impaired individuals have been enjoying it. Currently, audio darts groups for the visually impaired exist in Minnesota, Delaware, and Pittsburgh. There are also many visually impaired individuals who throw darts on their own in many areas where groups are not organized. It has become popular among the visually impaired community because it can be easily adapted.
Since the throwing area is only eight feet from the target and the board is only five feet off the ground, the spatial distances are easy for a visually impaired person to navigate and comprehend. Visually impaired darters usually use a toe board to line up straight and centered. Any stick, carpet edge, or textured surface works as a sufficient toe board. Sometimes styrofoam or a bulletin board is used as a backboard to catch errant darts. Actually, the most challenging part of playing darts as a visually impaired person is locating the fallen ones. It takes a good ear to effectively track the landing site.
One adaptation that is nice but not necessary is a talking dartboard. Most darts groups use machines that speak the hits, rounds, scores, and game options. However, these boards are rare and are no longer being produced. Realistically though, visually impaired darters can use any dartboard available for retail purchase.
Most boards used today whether for public or private use are made of bristle, a plastic-like texture which is made from fruits and vegetables. The target is similar to an archery target with a Bull’s-eye surrounded by four concentric rings. The ring closest to the Bull’s-eye and the third out from the Bull’s-eye count for single points. The second ring out from the Bull’s-eye counts for triple points. The outermost ring counts for double points. But, unlike the archery target, the darts board is broken into spokes or segments. There are 20 spokes, each representing the numbers 1-20.
An example of a throw might be: a dart that hits within the 15 spoke, and in the second ring out from the Bull’s-eye would equal 45 points. You arrive at 45 by taking the 15-point spoke and multiplying it by the triple ring. In darts lingo this is called a Triple 15.
Many visually impaired darters memorize the spoke values and locations in order to aid orientation and accuracy. Corrections can be made by responding to the sighted spotters description of where the dart hit. Often the spotter will give both the clock position and the distance from the board. For example, “10 o’clock about 2 inches out” tells the visually impaired darter to move his aim down and right. Other throwers prefer to be given assistance based on the spoke number they missed. For example, “You’re outside the 6 by an inch.” Experienced darters can then correct their aim.
Visually impaired darters use the same stance, throwing motion, and follow-through as sighted darters. It is important to stand with the feet slightly apart to achieve good balance. The dart is usually held near the ear. It should be gripped like a pen and pointed at the board. A good throw only uses the lower arm. When releasing the dart, the follow-through should position the fingers extended and pointed to the board. Many throwers learn to freeze their arm after the follow-through to retain the entire delivery process.
Some of the popular games among visually impaired darters are Count Up, 301 Count Down, and 501 Count Down. The objective of Count Up is to score the most points in 8 rounds. It is played by single players. An experienced player usually scores between 325 and 375 in Count Up. Both 301 and 501 are count down games which require a player or team to get their score down to 0 or as close as possible in the allotted rounds. The count down games can be played with one, two, or three players. All of these games allow each player three darts per turn.
Darts is unique because of the variety of games and player options. It can be played in the privacy of a home, in physical education class, or at the neighborhood pub. Anyone can excel at darts regardless of his or her height, dominant hand, sex, or disability. The game does not discriminate.
The Winter/Spring edition of “VISIONS” will be published in January 2002. It will spotlight the Western PA Blind Outdoor Leisure Development (BOLD) organization. The Adaptability section will feature bowling. Also included in next quarter’s newsletter will be the details and registration information relating to our 2002 Sports Education Camp. SportsVision’s 2002 event’s schedule will also be a must read. Please be sure to contact our office to ensure you receive the next issue in an accessible format you can use.