Archery is the sport of shooting arrows with a bow, either in target competitions or hunting, and is among the world’s oldest and most universal sports. Archery is an Olympic sport; in England, there’s a tournament still held that was established in 1673 by King Charles II.
Blind and visually impaired persons, however, did not start participating in archery until the early 1970s with the growth of the disabled sports movement and the development of tactile aiming devices.
As accessible recreation, archery has become increasingly popular among the sight impaired. The sport has gained official status within the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and the International Archery Federation (FITA) includes blind archers in its World Championships.
Adaptations that Make Archery Accessible to the Blind
Blind archers compete much the same way as the fully sighted, using regulation bows (recurve or compound), and arrows. Necessary adaptations include:
- Foot locater: A board or other object placed across the shooting line enabling the archer to stand at the correct point
- Tactile aiming device: Usually a tripod placed just in front of the shooting line (preferably indexed with the foot locater) with an adjustable extension that holds a small pad (maximum size 2 cm) positioned to touch the back of the archer's hand at full draw
- Spotter: A person who helps the blind archer line up the tactile aiming device with the target, calls the result of arrow strikes (using clock-face orientation), and, between rounds only, aids with adjustments
- Blackout Mask: A mask or blindfold mandated by in IBSA and IPC tournaments to ensure all archers, regardless of visual acuity, compete on the same level.
Tournaments consist of four rounds. Non-disabled archers shoot from 30, 50, 70, and 90 meters. Visually impaired participants shoot only from 30 meters, though the target sizes changes (from 60 cm to 122 cm) to simulate changes in distance.
Trying Archery as a Blind Participant
Like so many sports and recreational activities for the blind and visually impaired, the best way to try archery is to make inquiries at local clubs and organizations that either have programs or members willing to provide one-on-one instruction. These include archery clubs, hunting clubs, accessible recreation providers, and high school and college athletic departments. It is vital to make your desire known: there may be no archery clubs or tournaments in your area, but there are always ways to facilitate an introduction to the sport, and people who are willing to provide or arrange instruction.
Finding a coach is one of the most efficient ways to develop skills. Many local tournaments allow blind archers to participate as guests, even if there are no separate categories for the disabled.
Blind archer Janice Walth got hooked on sport at the Sacramento Archery Club after attending several of her husband’s tournaments. Within months, she entered her first tournament, and in just over years, Walth won the silver medal at the 2007 FITA World Archery Para Championships in Korea. She took the bronze in the 2009 championships last August in Nymburk (CZE).
“Archery, it is a family-oriented sport,” says Walth. “My husband and I shoot with people as young as seven all the way up to people in their 80s. Local communities have archery clubs that support archers who just shoot for the fun of it, who are interested in hunting, or who wish to compete.”
The United States Association of Blind Athletes has more information on blind archery, including YouTube video links.
Archery might seem like a pursuit that demands perfect vision, but adaptations make it accessible to blind participants both as recreation and as an increasingly popular sport.
Andrew Leibs - Andrew Leibs is Suite101’s Feature Writer for Accessible Recreation. He is a longtime chronicler of the disability movement with ...
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