VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 4
2017). Furthermore, families of children with visual impairments often have
transportation issues or must rely on extended family for transportation due to the
distance at which they have to travel to attend adapted physical activity events
(Ayvazoglu, et al., 2016). Similarly, adults with visual impairments note
dependence on others, lack of reliable transportation, unavailability of local
adapted sport programs, and lack of qualified supervision as barriers to
participation (Jaarsma et al., 2014).
Lack of suitable programming and adapted equipment, as well as low
expectations from adults, can hinder physical activity participation for youth with
visual impairments (Lieberman et al., 2023a; Stuart et al., 2006). Several studies
show that instructors also felt unequipped to make adaptations to lessons and use
adapted equipment, and they were afraid for their students' safety during lessons
(Haibach et al., 2014; Stewart et al., 2006; Lieberman & Houston-Wilson, 1999).
Societal Barriers
Overprotectiveness and the belief that those with visual impairments are
incapable is another barrier that children with visual impairments need to
overcome. Stewart et al. (2006) shows that many children with visual impairments
cite overprotective parents as a barrier to participation. Societal attitudes towards
blindness and the capabilities of individuals with visual impairments is another
barrier to sport participation (Linsenbigler et al., 2018). Stuart et al. (2006)
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