A sighted guide is a person who guides a person with
blindness
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...
or
vision impairment
Visual impairment, also known as vision impairment, is a medical definition primarily measured based on an individual's better eye visual acuity; in the absence of treatment such as correctable eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment� ...
.
Sports
Paralympic Games
At the
Paralympic Games there are various classifications of athletes with a visual impairment.
Rules are according to the
International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) and the
International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The sighted guides are such a close and essential part of the competition, that the athlete with a visual impairment and the guide are considered a team, and both athletes are medal candidates.
Winter
At the
Winter Paralympics there are three classifications of athletes with a visual impairment:
*
B1 (no useful vision)
*
B2 (minimal useful vision)
*
B3 (some useful vision).
A sighted guide is required for B1 and B2, and optional for B3.
Nordic skiing:
The guide can lead, follow, or ski next to the athlete with a visual impairment. The guide assists with voice instruction only. No physical contact allowed.
Alpine skiing:
The start must have an adequate space for the guide.
*Combined
*Downhill
*Giant slalom
*Slalom
*Super-G
Summer
Athletics:
In athletics the sighted guides can win a medal.
Exclusive: Guides to be awarded Paralympic medals at London 2012
insideworldparasport.biz, February 12, 2011
Cycling
Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of cycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bikers". Apart from t ...
: Pilot
Equestrian:
Football 5-a-side:
Triathlon
A triathlon is an endurance multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running over various distances. Triathletes compete for fastest overall completion time, racing each segment sequentially with the time transitioning between the ...
:
See also
*Guide dog
Guide dogs (colloquially known in the US as seeing-eye dogs) are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles. Although dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are red–green colour blin ...
* White cane
References
External links
Being a Sighted Guide
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is an American non-profit organization for people with vision loss. AFB's objectives include conducting research to advance change, promoting knowledge and understanding, and shaping policies and practice ...
Sighted Guide Techniques
Braille Institute of America
The Braille Institute of America (BIA) is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Los Angeles providing programs, seminars and one-on-one instruction for the visually impaired community in Southern California. Funded almost entirely by pri ...
Video: Guide Running
at United States Olympic Committee
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sighted Guide
Blindness
Guides