8
Adapting Physical Education Activities to Include Children with Visual Impairments.
With modifications, children with visual impairments or blindness have the ability to participate in the same physical activities as their typically developing peers. Physical education
teachers may modify general gameplay, equipment, rules, or boundaries in order to maximize
the success of all students. Before making modifications, a teacher should assess a student's vision, physical activity preferences, and experiences in physical activities. A physical education
teacher may speak to the student's vision
teacher, orientation and mobility instructor, paraprofessional, or directly to the student for this information. Vision teachers may also have information regarding purchasing equipment through
quota funds, where physical educators would not
have to spend their budget on specialized equipment. Quota funds are monies designated from
the federal government for the purchase of educational material produced by the American Printing House for the Blind for students with visual
impairments.
In regards to gameplay, activities in physical
education can be either open or closed. An open
activity, such as basketball or soccer, has many
variables occurring at one time which athletes
must navigate to be successful. Closed activities,
such as bowling, typically only have one goal /
variable and may be simpler. For example, in a
game of basketball (an open activity), students
dribble a ball, navigate through defenders, and
players may change from offense to defense
quickly. Whereas in bowling (a closed activity),
students have the objective of hitting the pins
without other variables to consider. It is important
to keep in mind that physical education curriculum should include a combination of open and
closed activities (Lieberman, Ponchillia & Ponchillia, 2013). Rather than avoid participating in open
