Physical Education for the Blind Image: Dancing practice in P.E.

On a bright sunny warm day along Hancock just north of Pikes Peak, you might see a small group of students running, shoving, pushing, chasing a ball on the lush green lawn at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. I encourage you to take a closer look. These students are blind or visually impaired. They are participating in one of our physical education classes for the blind. Students view their lack of vision as a challenge to succeed. Adaptations? Yes, there are adaptations but the curriculum is aligned with the Colorado State Standards and is just as diverse as any other physical education program.

If you were to join one of the blind physical education classes you would see students who are blind or visually impaired involved in activities such as soccer, beeper baseball, gymnastics, swimming, aerobics, self-defense, weight training, physical conditioning, dancing, bowling, basketball, track and field, goal ball, and maybe even field hockey. The younger students and students who are multi-disabled participate in adapted activities that improve balance, muscle strength, motor skills, etc. It's exciting to watch the students move about freely without injury and be involved in physical activities.Image: Push-ups!

For more information regarding our PE programs, please contact Amy Gutowski at 719-578-2201 or via email at agutowski@csdb.org.