Training Courses
Vision Sports Awareness Training
Vision Sports Awareness Training is designed to educate coaches, volunteers and teachers on Vision Impairment and how small adaptations to sport and physical activity sessions can make a huge difference to the experience of the participant with a vision impairment.
Attendees will learn about the various types of Vision Impairment, basic techniques of sighted guide training and the importance of description and colour contrast when delivering a session.
Tandem Pilot Training Course
The Tandem Pilot Training Course equips volunteer cyclists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to safely pilot a cyclist who is blind or vision impaired on a tandem bicycle. This training provides participants with the opportunity to support others in experiencing the physical, mental, and social benefits of cycling within their community.
Through a combination of theory and practical workshops, the course covers essential areas including communication and sighted guide techniques, tandem bike setup, bike handling, and effective pilot-stoker coordination.
Guide Running Workshops
Guide running is the practice of a sighted runner supporting a person who is blind or vision impaired to run safely and confidently, whether for exercise, training, or competition.
Delivered in collaboration with Athletics Ireland, the Guide Running Workshop provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to become competent guide runners. The course includes a two-hour online theory session and a 90-minute in-person practical workshop, covering topics such as common eyesight conditions, safety, communication, equipment use, and sighted guide techniques.
Audio Descriptive Commentary
Audio Descriptive Commentary (ADC) is a specialised form of commentary that provides detailed descriptions of sporting events for individuals who are blind or vision impaired. It enhances the live sports experience by conveying key visual elements such as player movements, attributes, actions, and game dynamics, allowing attendees to fully engage with the event.
Vision Sports Ireland’s Audio Descriptive Commentary Course equips participants with the skills needed to deliver quality ADC. The course covers types of vision impairment, best practices in descriptive narration, delivery techniques, the role of pace and clarity, and how to balance description with game flow.