Vision Sports Ireland's newest programme, 'Pass-Sport' is enabling people
who are blind and vision impaired to return to sport. Pass-Sport has been
approved under Phase 3 of the Government Roadmap for reopening society and
business and the return to sport.
The Pass-Sport programme registers Vision Sports' members and their
guide/pilot from outside of their household, to enable travel to and from a
sport or leisure facility and to participate in exercise, including running,
swimming, blind tennis and tandem bike riding. The programme supports
potential contact tracing requirements in place by the HSE and Department of
Health.
Jason Smyth, 5-time Paralympic gold medallist said "the introduction of the
Pass-Sport guide system will help so many blind and vision impaired people
return to their favourite sports. Vision Sports Ireland deserve great credit
for developing this innovative and safe solution. I encourage everyone,
especially blind and vision impaired people, to get into exercise and help
improve overall health."
Whilst a Sport Ireland survey of general population found record low levels
(11%) of sedentary behaviour, a survey by Vision Sports Ireland, now a part
of NCBI, found a stark difference amongst people who are blind or vision
impaired. It found 75% of blind and visually impaired respondents were
unable to meet national recommended guidelines on physical activity during
Covid-19, with an alarming 90% reporting their physical activity had been
severely limited due to Covid-19, largely due to the physical and social
distancing guidelines restricting the use of guides/pilots for exercise.
Half of surveyed members additionally reported a strong negative impact on
their mental health as a result of these exercise restrictions.
Aaron Mullaniff, NCBI Deputy Chief Services Officer stated "for many blind
and vision impaired people who live alone, leaving the house to exercise is
not possible because of the need for a guide or pilot. Under physical
distancing requirements, exercise is consequently not possible for many
unless alternate programmes are in place. Pass-Sport is one of Vision
Sports' solutions that has been rolled out to address this challenge."
Alongside Vision Sports' innovative Long-Cane Physical Distancing Exercise,
supported by volunteer guides recruited from the parkrun community,
attention has been turned to the Pass-Sport registration system to enable
people with a vision impairment to participate in sport and physical
activity with a guide from outside of their household.
It is understood that social distancing protocols and advice from the HSE/
Department of Health and Sport Ireland will be maintained whilst
participating under the Pass-Sport programme.
Pass-Sport is open to all Vision Sports Ireland members.
For more information on how to get involved or sign up, please visit:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KSRP3KY ;
or get in touch via:
visionsports@xxxxxxx <mailto:visionsports@xxxxxxx> .
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