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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2022 - 07 - 01 - ID#vp3u43
16
Suggestions sought for team-bonding activities that are inclusive for visually impaired teammates. (self.Blind)
submitted by BedrockFarmer
I manage a team that includes an individual who is severely visually impaired. In the past, this team has been picking team bonding activities like go karting, axe throwing, obstacle courses, etc. these are obviously not inclusive for a visually impaired teammate and they have not joined in as a result.

I would like to be sure that at least some of the team events are accessible for this teammate. I am at a loss for what to do though. Can anyone suggest team activities that are both inclusive and appropriate for work-bonding types of events?
TheLarkingCat 10 points 1y ago
Definitely see if your VI colleague has suggestions. Everyone is different, and everyone's physical abilities vary. We did an escape room where we worked with the venue in advance to find a mostly accessible puzzle with hands-on things to take apart and mess with. Liked it. We went indoor sky diving. Hated that, but it was accessible! We did ziplining and whitewater rafting. Loved it! Rock climbing, tandem biking, bowling... lots of things can be made accessible. Go to the movies and ensure the theater has audio description available. Do a picnic and lawn games at the park, and adapt the games to be blind-friendly. Your VI teammate may not want to be singled-out and have the burden of inclusion put on them-- that gets exhausting, but they may also be very open to giving you ideas. Doesn't hurt to ask them!
coarsing_batch 2 points 1y ago
Did you learn to speak the words of the soft ones so the soft ones could scratch your ears? Sorry I just love your username. Just finished rereading Edge Danceer for the forth time earlier this evening. Anyway sorry for highjacking this thread. Just saw your username and got excited.
TwoSunsRise 4 points 1y ago
I mean, the team events should be for the team, not just the able bodied memebers. I know you let the majority decide but the options should only be ones that everyone can enjoy in the first place.

You could try Top Golf (somone can help line him up), zip lining, bowling, or trail riding. Either way, this person will need some help to make sure they can participate but that's what team bonding is all about! Good luck and I hope you find something.
NoConfidence_2192 3 points 1y ago
Invest in some sleep shades and ask your VI team member to help adapt some of your usual bonding exercises. Don't know about karting but axe throwing and obstacle courses should both play well. Might even be good to alternate between all blind and half blind half sighted guide modes for your activities. All blind can give your VI team member the chance to lead and half-and-half can help your team members learn to rely on each other and have some (hopefully) harmless fun on the way
Central_Control 2 points 1y ago
This problem is easily solved by communicating with the blind person. Seriously, just try communicating with disabled people directly about disabled stuff. Asking random people on the internet isn't the way to make sure that your disabled employee has a nice time with the rest of your team.
DannyMTZ956 2 points 1y ago
I would advice against blind folding the rest of the team because you don’t have someone to provide the guidance-discussion that would be required to make it an effective challenge.
niamhweking 2 points 1y ago
Tug of war, canoe water sports, rock climbing. None particularly require vision.

One they might not have thought of but go Karting :)

Ireland has a Vi rally navigator and mondello race track have recently ran Blind/VI race car driving days!
jeynespoole 2 points 1y ago
My former work place had a summer camp for blind kids, and they did archery and high ropes course, so maybe ax throwing and obstacle courses aren't too far off!
Crafty_Dragon_roll 2 points 1y ago
Have you asked them what activities they would like to do?
BedrockFarmer [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Yes, but not 1:1. I generally poll the team for ideas then we select from the submissions.
Crafty_Dragon_roll 3 points 1y ago
Talk to them about it. I've been axe throwing, it's so fun. My hubs helps me. I still bowl, badly but it's fun. Hiking trips are fun too. It'll really depend in them and what they are comfortable with.
NinjaTrainingWheels 1 points 1y ago
Of course, everyone has different abilities but I am severely visually impaired and have quite enjoyed axe throwing—even beating some typically sighted individuals. It's good fun!
DannyMTZ956 1 points 1y ago
I don’t know what some of those activities are, but the once I know are certainly activities that a blind person could do.
Blind_Insider 1 points 1y ago
They could do some activities in pairs such as obstacle courses, sack races, climbing, etc. The important thing is that one of the people wears a blindfold so that in a certain way they understand how a blind person interacts and also the other partner can guide him and motivate trust.
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