Blind Student

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[6th Kyu For Life]

So, we just started a new beginner's class at our dojo, and with this group of around 15, we have a blind student. At this point, I have no idea whether or not he'll stick around, but assuming he does, does anyone have any advice or experience to offer for teaching and working with blind students?

I'm not sure how impaired his vision is. I got the impression that he could see a little, but not much. So far, we've had a sempai working with him during the whole class, but this seems like it may be a disservice to the other new students who ought to work with advanced students as well.

I found this other thread http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-3572.html but I thought I'd revive the thread.

Peace,
Tom

[DonMagee]

I close my eyes a lot in judo/bjj training. As long as strikes are not involved I'd think he would do fine. Some of the most exciting judo matches are between blind people.

[Lan Powers]

Ask Sara Parsons about training with limited or no vision. She posts here regularly.
Lan

[JAMJTX]

I have never heard of a blind person practicing Aikido. I do believe there is a Judo Association for the blind.
My Aikido club meets at a Tae Kwon Do school that has a blind student. I believe she is "legally blind" as opposed to totally blind. She has some difficulty, but once she figures out where you are she can kick the stuffing out of you. If you actually touch her, your in big trouble.
I can imagine that, although difficult, Aikido can be learned mainly be feeling. So you'll have to work with grabbing techniques so there is always a connection. Then they can feel around and execute techniques.
We do a lot of self defense with a blindfold on. But grabbing only, no striking. Try it some time.

[PhilMyKi]

We had a blind student (vision was limited to seeing as shadows in bright light) at my old university club. Once he became comfortable with what he was doing he had amazing musubi. He did not stick around more than a few months, he kept walking into book cases in the library and was eventually dragged home by his parents. If he had been allowed to stay I am sure I would have learned a great deal from him. :)

[charyuop]

We had a blind student (vision was limited to seeing as shadows in bright light) at my old university club. Once he became comfortable with what he was doing he had amazing musubi. He did not stick around more than a few months, he kept walking into book cases in the library and was eventually dragged home by his parents. If he had been allowed to stay I am sure I would have learned a great deal from him. :)

You anticipated me hee hee. I was about to say that usually blind people have the feelings sharper, thus they might have more advantage in understanding misubi.

[aikidoc]

When I first started training in Aikido at the Torrance YMCA about 1972-3 we had a female blind student (Pam) that was a brown belt. She was tough to move against-brutal grip with ki.

She may have been one of the earlies blind students in the states.

[Mike Hamer]

Yea, there is a blind girl named Sara here!

[batemanb]

We used to have a blind student train with us. He was with us for 2 or 3 years until he moved away. I believe he was about 4th kyu when he went.

He could take ukemi very well, and working from grabs was simple. When it came to strikes, uke would let him know when initiating.