Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Question about blind sports (for robotics competition) and looking to possibly keep in touch with someone who is blind (self.Blind)
submitted by TarsytheTarsier
TLDR: As a member of a robotics team, I would like to get in contact with a blind person regarding their experiences with ball sports.
Hello members of r/Blind,
I'm a member of a robotics team, participating in the First Robotics Competition. Usually, we have a normal competition where we make robots to complete a designated game that is created for the occasion. This year, there are different competitions within the organization that we have decided to compete in. One of these competitions is the Innovation Challenge, where we must design an innovation that solves some sort of problem relating to physical and/or mental health through active play or movement. My team has decided to design some sort of ball that can be played-with by blind people (through use of either audio or connecting a band with vibration or something). While we are still working on the idea, I'd like to ask if any of you would be willing to talk about struggles with ball sports (since we don't actually have anyone blind on the team or in contact with the team). Additionally, I'd like to get in contact (a PM works) with someone so that I can ask about certain nuances with our designs. If you have any questions, just ask and I'll do my best to answer (we are pretty early in the design phase so criticisms about the potential final product are welcome).
Hello members of r/Blind,
I'm a member of a robotics team, participating in the First Robotics Competition. Usually, we have a normal competition where we make robots to complete a designated game that is created for the occasion. This year, there are different competitions within the organization that we have decided to compete in. One of these competitions is the Innovation Challenge, where we must design an innovation that solves some sort of problem relating to physical and/or mental health through active play or movement. My team has decided to design some sort of ball that can be played-with by blind people (through use of either audio or connecting a band with vibration or something). While we are still working on the idea, I'd like to ask if any of you would be willing to talk about struggles with ball sports (since we don't actually have anyone blind on the team or in contact with the team). Additionally, I'd like to get in contact (a PM works) with someone so that I can ask about certain nuances with our designs. If you have any questions, just ask and I'll do my best to answer (we are pretty early in the design phase so criticisms about the potential final product are welcome).
changeneverhappens 2 points 2y ago
Theres an entire sport for people with visual impairments called goal ball and there are tons of adaptive equipment options.
What would be cool is to figure out how to make robotics more accessible! I support a robotics team made up of kids with visual impairments but its still a very inaccessible sport for people with no functional vision. One of the biggest challenges for my group is getting the audience at tournaments to lower their volume so my students can listen and focus. There's not a lot of understanding or respect for people with disabilities in that realm and that's only with kids. I can only imagine what higher level robotics events are like.
What would be cool is to figure out how to make robotics more accessible! I support a robotics team made up of kids with visual impairments but its still a very inaccessible sport for people with no functional vision. One of the biggest challenges for my group is getting the audience at tournaments to lower their volume so my students can listen and focus. There's not a lot of understanding or respect for people with disabilities in that realm and that's only with kids. I can only imagine what higher level robotics events are like.
Keiracat1337 2 points 2y ago
I'm open. Hit me up in private chats and I can try to answer as best I can. I do know for sure, sound locating would be a solid bet. But whatever ball it is, can not leave the ground. Unless it's like a beach ball in weight and softness. Even with sound it takes a moment to find things, and a moment can be too late to protect the face.
Keiracat1337 1 points 2y ago
Thanks for silver stranger!
FantasticGlove 1 points 2y ago
I'm in but I must warn you that my answers will be radical because I've played real sports. Not those blind things people call sports.
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
This is fasinating. I'll pm you.
tasareinspace 1 points 2y ago
Unfortunately my blind teenager doesn't play sports but I wanted to say that it's great that FIRST is doing something different this year! I did it in high school (Team 140!) And its a great program. Good luck!!
TarsytheTarsier [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks for the support! :)
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Sure I’d be happy to help there are already belled and beeper balls out there so yeah..... but please feel free to ask questions. And then subsequently keep in touch I am a bit nerdy and interesting but yeah....
IronDominion 1 points 2y ago
I’d be happy to help! I’ve done some adaptive sports, and I have done a variety of non adaptive sports myself, as well as having friends who have done similar up to the junior Olympic level.
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