Transylvania University students recently got a firsthand perspective on adaptive sports through a full day of immersive activities led by Envision Blind Sports.
Monday’s event turned campus into an immersive, real-world classroom for inclusion and accessibility. Students rotated through stations like blind running with tethered guides and blind soccer, tennis and goalball. The day also included a Lunch and Learn where participants took a deep dive into Envision’s mission, and it wrapped up with beep kickball in Carpenter Circle.
JJ Wallace, a Transylvania exercise science professor who helped coordinate the visit, pointed out the dual-perspective design — blindfolded students played the sports themselves, and then they guided someone else. This immersion not only helped increase awareness, but also professional readiness.
“When we think about accessibility, sports, access infrastructure and the ability to participate and be a human in the world, sometimes we forget what it’s like for individuals who have a different ability,” Wallace said. “Being able to highlight what this is like for kids and adults who have vision impairment really hammers home the fact that these are things we need to be thinking about.”
Wallace noted how they gleaned both emotional insight and practical skills that are especially important for those heading into healthcare or coaching. “It could have real career implications, especially for our majors who are going to be PTs, OTs, PAs, nurses, doctors, coaches and many other professions.”
These Pioneers may go on to work with people who have visual impairments, and Adapted Sports Day will help them feel more confident. Plus, it could give them a different perspective if they’re going into coaching.
“They’re learning valuable career skills, life skills and becoming more aware of the world in general by doing this sort of learning experience,” Wallace added.
Christy Gage, Envision’s outreach coordinator, led the sessions alongside Program Director Jillian Stringfellow for classes ranging from general education to athletics.
Based in Mercer, Pennsylvania, the nonprofit provides opportunities promoting lifelong wellness, with an emphasis on advocacy, leadership development and increasing awareness. Envision also runs a summer camp serving youths from 16 states.
“Sport is so rewarding, and it also provides them a lot of confidence and independence,” Gage said. “Just because you lose sight doesn’t mean your physical health needs to deteriorate. There are adaptations and modifications to make it possible.”