Resources

This section provides practical tools, visual guides, and classification information to help fitness professionals, volunteers, and families create safe and inclusive physical activities.

This website is not a medical guide. It focuses on helping fitness professionals understand how vision differences may affect participation, so they can support safer, more inclusive, and more positive experiences.

Whether you need to download screening forms, learn how to sight guide, or understand how different eye conditions affect movement, these resources are designed to build your confidence in supporting participants with visual impairment (PVI).

Understanding Vision Loss

Visual impairment is a non-correctable vision condition involving reduced clarity of vision and/or a restricted visual field. Vision loss can affect people in different ways. Some individuals may have difficulty seeing details, judging distances, noticing obstacles, or adjusting to changes in lighting. These differences can influence how participants move, orient themselves, and feel confident during sport and physical activities.

To help you navigate these differences, our resources focus on two key areas:

1. Sport Classification

Sport classification explains how vision is assessed in sport and how athletes with similar levels of functional vision are grouped for fair participation. Understanding classification can give providers insight into what a participant may be able to see, and what types of adaptations or support may be helpful in training or competition settings.

2. Understanding Common Eye Conditions

Vision loss is highly diverse. Different eye conditions affect vision in different ways—and even people with the same diagnosis can have very different visual experiences. We highlight some common eye conditions and explain, in simple terms, how each may affect movement, safety, and participation during sport and exercise.

Together, these sections are designed to build confidence, not complexity, helping fitness professionals feel more prepared to welcome and support participants with visual impairments.

Practical Tools & Screening Forms

Before hosting your first inclusive session, it is vital to complete a basic health and safety check-in with your participants and review your communication strategies. Use the Get-Active Questionnaire (GAQ) to understand medical considerations, and keep our Accessibility Exercise Guidance Checklist on hand for best practices in support and instruction.

Practical Video Guide: Sight Guiding VI Techniques

What does good sight guiding look like? It all comes down to communication, respect, and partnership. Watch this practical guide featuring ACTIVE VI participant Teh Lin and volunteer Simon demonstrating essential do’s and don’ts of sight guiding.

▶ Watch “Sight Guiding VI Techniques” on YouTube

Download Sight Guiding Transcript (Word Doc)

Sport Classification

Sport classification explains how vision is assessed in sport and how athletes with similar levels of functional vision are grouped for fair participation.

The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) developed the B class system (B1, B2, B3) based on visual acuity and visual field. These classes help ensure fair competition by grouping athletes with similar levels of functional vision.

From 2025, athletes with visual impairment in Paralympic sport are classified under the 2025 IPC Classification Code. While classification is now centrally managed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the recognised sport classes for vision impairment remain B1, B2, and B3, with the respective International Federations responsible for administering sport-specific rules.

Important: The descriptions below are guidelines only. Functional vision varies widely, and individuals may experience their vision differently.

Understanding IBSA Vision Classifications

Understanding classification categories can help you determine how competitive events are organised based on functional vision levels.

Class B1

• Functional Vision Description: No light perception or light perception only; unable to recognise hand shapes.
• Para Athletics Classification: T11 / F11
• Para Swimming Classification: S11 / SB11 / SM11
• Key Participation Notes: Athletes are typically required to use a guide in athletics and wear blackened goggles in swimming to ensure fair competition.

Class B2

• Functional Vision Description: Object recognition within a 2-metre range; very limited visual acuity and/or severely restricted visual field.
• Para Athletics Classification: T12 / F12
• Para Swimming Classification: S12 / SB12 / SM12
• Key Participation Notes: Some athletes may choose to compete with or without a guide.

Class B3

• Functional Vision Description: Moderate visual impairment; contour recognition within a 2-to-6-metre range; higher visual acuity and/or less restricted visual field than Class B2.
• Para Athletics Classification: T13 / F13
• Para Swimming Classification: S13 / SB13 / SM13
• Key Participation Notes: Typically, athletes compete without guides.