British Blind Sport brings the Inclusive Learning Principles to life
British Blind Sport is using the Inclusive Learning Principles to strengthen its workforce training, helping teachers and support staff create more inclusive opportunities for children and young people with sight loss.
The national charity has embedded the principles into its ‘Delivering VI Inclusive Sports and Fitness in Primary and Secondary Education’ workshops. Delivered by Workforce Development Officers to Sensory Service Teams and Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with a Visual Impairment (QTVIs), the training covers understanding visual impairment, adapting PE and sport, promoting independence, and signposting opportunities for blind and partially sighted children and young people.
While inclusion has always been central to British Blind Sport's approach, the Inclusive Learning Principles provided a valuable framework to review and strengthen existing practice.
Accessibility is woven throughout the workshops. Learning resources are available in accessible formats, using high-contrast slides, large fonts and imagery featuring blind and partially sighted participants. Videos include both audio description and subtitles, ensuring they are accessible to people with visual and hearing impairments. Sessions combine presentations, discussion and practical activities, giving learners the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios while learning from one another.
Lived experience is also a key part of the learning experience. Both of British Blind Sport's Workforce Development Officers have sight loss and are Paralympians, bringing authentic insight and practical expertise to every workshop.
The organisation has continued to build on its inclusive approach by introducing further accessibility improvements, including subtitled videos and a wider variety of learning methods to support different learning styles and needs.
Early feedback has been extremely positive, with participants highlighting the balance between practical and theory-based learning.
One learner said:
"A really good mixture of practical and theory-based learning. Real life practical examples and experiences made it easier to understand and relate to."
Others described feeling more confident in supporting children with visual impairments after attending the workshop.
"Very informative session about different types of VI. I feel more confident now as I know to be specific with communication when explaining and to use noises like clapping hands to direct pupils."
The practical elements were another consistent theme in participant feedback.
"Brilliant presentation and explanation. Fab practical sessions and allowed me to think about how I can support pupils."
Although the workshops have only recently been introduced in their current format, participants are already identifying ways they will apply their learning in schools and education settings.
British Blind Sport will continue to work with Activity Alliance to strengthen the accessibility of its learning opportunities. By gathering feedback from participants and people with lived experience, the organisation is committed to continually improving its workshops and ensuring inclusive practice remains at the heart of everything it delivers.
