What if every child, regardless of their abilities, had the chance to discover the joy of movement, play, and sport? That’s the driving vision behind the “Move as You Are” project and its results.
Among the project’s key outcomes is the Booklet on Best Practices to involve children with visual impairments in sport activities, a resource developed to help teachers, coaches, educators, and families break down barriers and make physical activity truly accessible for all.
The Booklet offers practical explanations of different types of vision loss, the benefits of physical activity, inclusive teaching methodologies to help professionals choose the most appropriate strategies for their group – whether they are leading a PE class, coaching a team, or simply playing with children in a community setting – anda collection of fun games and sports activities tailored to visually impaired children.
The best practices with all games and activities were carefully selected to support the development of essential movement patterns such as strength, coordination, balance, flexibility, speed, rhythm, mobility, and spatial awareness. All these skills are key to a child’s growth, independence, and confidence: learning to move is just as important as learning to read.
One of the strengths of the Booklet is its creativity. Some games are inspired by movie characters, such as the “Nemo Game”, which sparks instant enthusiasm and makes the activity feel familiar and fun. Others, like the “Jump Rope Game”, may not follow a structured learning progression, but they are fundamental in encouraging autonomy and playful exploration.
The Booklet also includes teaching progressions: step-by-step learning ladders that allow children to build new skills gradually, gaining confidence along the way.
The best practices identified don’t just focus on land-based activities. Besides activities such as dance, volleyball, tennis, or body expression, the Booklet also covers water-based activities, such as swimming and aquatic games. From throwing floating balls to developing swimming techniques, these activities open the door to new environments where children with visual impairments can thrive.
To support continued learning, the final section of the Booklet features a selection of recommended articles, books, and websites, enriching the professional in a broader way. Developed in collaboration with partners including the Real Eyes Sport, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, and Euphoria Net, the “Move as You Are” project stands by one simple truth: knowledge should be shared, and sport should be for everyone.