Within the “Move As You Are” project, one of the most innovative results is the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to Promote Sport and Approach to Movement Among Children With Visual Impairments, a digital resource that combines video demonstrations, practical tips, and structured modules to help teachers, coaches, and rehabilitation professionals include children with visual impairments in sport.
Designed to be flexible and ready to use, the MOOC has already proven to be a valuable tool in both educational and rehabilitative settings, offering clear guidance and concrete examples that make inclusive practice more accessible than ever.
Among the sports addressed, athletics holds a special place. Teaching track and field to children with visual impairments is not only about introducing them to physical exercise, but also about fostering independence, building self-confidence, and encouraging social participation.
Athletics is particularly suitable because it is an individual sport with internationally recognized adaptations – such as guide runners, tactile markings, or auditory signals – that make it safe and inclusive. At the same time, it allows children to train together as a group, each benefiting from specific adaptations, thus creating a shared sense of belonging and community.
Athletics is also highly adaptable for school environments. Inclusive competitions can be organized with minimal adjustments, enabling visually impaired children to participate alongside their peers in school meets or sports days. This dual nature – individual yet collective, adaptable yet standardized – makes athletics an ideal tool for promoting inclusion from an early age.
The “Move As You Are” MOOC highlights this potential by offering step-by-step video demonstrations and practical guidance that teachers can easily apply. Feedback from educators who have tested the material shows that these resources are appreciated for their clarity and practicality, helping professionals feel more confident in bringing inclusive athletics into their classrooms or training sessions.
Beyond the physical benefits, inclusive athletics nurtures essential skills such as balance, coordination, and locomotion, areas where visually impaired children may face greater challenges. By improving these abilities in a structured and measurable way, athletics supports not only motor development but also emotional growth, independence, and social integration.
Indeed, inclusive athletics represents a powerful opportunity to break down barriers and open new horizons. Thanks to the MOOC, knowledge and tools are now more widely available, making it easier to transform athletics into a sport that empowers, includes, and inspires children with visual impairments across Europe and beyond.