WHAT IS TNABA?
The TNABA is a non-profit 501c (3) organization committed to enhancing the lives of all blind and visually impaired people of Tennessee. We provide adaptive sports and recreational activities that promote physical fitness and active healthy lifestyles to blind individuals of all ages. We provide opportunities and information that helps our members to reach personal and physical fitness goals. The TNABA is a state chapter of the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) and is recongnized by the U.S. Paralympic Committee as a Paralympic Sprts Club. Together we provide opportunities in many exciting sports for competition or just good old fashion fun. Blind athletes can participate in local, regional. National, and even international competition in the Para-Olympics.
Did you know there are an estimated 52,000 school-aged children who are blind and visually impaired in the United States, of whom nearly 70% do not participate in even a limited physical education curriculum? After high school that percentage drops to below 18%. Many blind and visually impaired adults lose their vision suddenly or from onset of eye diseases in their elderly years. Most are left feeling left out or inadequate to live the joyful and active lifestyles they once knew. The barriers that these individuals face are primarily the consequences of:
Ø prejudicial attitudes that persons who are blind and visually impaired cannot participate in sport;
Ø educators’ lack of knowledge, tools and equipment necessary to provide adaptive physical education;
Ø individual’s lack of skill development which, in turn, affects confidence and willingness to participate in unfamiliar athletic activity;
Ø lack of knowledge, tools, resources, equipment, and support of opportunities availability.
Ø no desire or drive to live a more active and heather lifestyle
Just as with sighted people, blind and visually impaired people deserve the same opportunities to learn leadership, teamwork, gain self-esteem, confidence, and to live healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles, through sport and recreation.
What benefits do partici[ants of TNABA gain?
Recent research compiled by the U.S. Department of Education shows that recreation and sports activities provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to increase mobility, independence, and socialization. People also indicate that athletic activity is influential in preventing a decline in physical, cognitive and psychosocial functioning. All of these issues have been demonstrated to be frequent consequences felt by disabled individuals leading sedentary lifestyles. TNABA promotes with every activity self-worth, socialization, physical fitness, independence, self advocacy, and the power of knowledge that one can reach their goals no matter what they are with endurance
It is simply the fact that any blind or visually impaired person can achieve, if simply given the opportunity, tools, resources, and most importantly support.
What kind of programs does TNABA offer?
The TNABA currently offers activities in:
Ø Wrestling
Ø Goalball
Ø Cycling
Ø Skiing
Ø Bowling
Ø Exercise and Fitness
Ø Yoga
Ø Camping and Hiking
Ø Health Education
Who does the TNABA help?
We help all blind and visually impaired individuals of any age in our great state of Tennessee. You are never too old to have fun and be healthy.
We also offer consulting with educators and the community on ways to include an unsighted neighbor in recreation and sports activites.
Who can be a member of TNABA?
The TNABA is open to all blind and visually impaired persons of Tennessee that meets the visually requirements of the USABA and anyone that supports the mission of the TNABA.
What is the Visual criteria to be a TNABA athlete for competition?
The USABA has four classifications for being an athlete. They are as follows;
Class B1
No light perception in either eye up to light perception, but inability to recognize the shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction.
Class B2
From ability to recognize the shape of a hand up to visual acuity of 20/600 and/or a visual field of less than 5 degrees in the best eye with the best practical eye correction.
Class B3
From visual acuity above 20/600 and up to visual acuity of 20/200 and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees and more than 5 degrees in the best eye with the best practical eye correction.
Class B4
From visual acuity above 20/200 and up to visual acuity of 20/70 and a visual field larger than 20 degrees in the best eye with the best practical eye correction.
HOW CAN I HELP?
By becoming a member of the TNABA you can help in so many ways. Simply by helping to promote and educate others of the capabilities and sensational abilities of blind athletes. You may have the desire and ability to coach or volunteer to help with one of our many wonderful programs and activities. You may choose to help by giving a small donation to help support our mission. However you chose to help it will only make the TNABA and its athletes stronger.
For more information on "The Story of the USABA", Check out this Video