A one-of-a-kind program is helping vision impaired people in Melbourne’s north-west get in the pool.
The aqua fit classes have been tailored to suit the needs of blind and vision impaired people, with staff trained in vision loss awareness teaching the participants water aerobics.
The program has been established as a pilot program by Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria with support from Sport and Rec Victoria and Hume council.
Program manager Miriam Bilander said the classes were designed to fill a gap in programs accessible to blind and visually impaired people in Melbourne’s north-west.
“It is commonly reported that people with vision loss are more sedentary, and that affects their physical and mental health,” Ms Bilander said.
“Usually for water aerobics classes, the instructor is outside of the pool, but our instructor is in the water giving tactile instruction and descriptive commands.
“It’s a really great way for people to keep fit and connect socially with each other, you should see how happy everyone is when they’re in the water.”
Ms Belindar said the classes had been taking place every Monday at the Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre before lockdown restrictions came into place, with nine regular participants.
Among them was Mufeed Zakariya, an Iraqi refugee who is blind.
“I like the exercise, being able to move in the water, it is is good for my body and my joints,” Mr Zakariya said
“I’ve also found it to be very social, because the group of people who are all blind can share their feelings.
The classes are open to all adults that are blind or vision impaired, with each class costing $5 .
Details: bit.ly/3kdOFLP
Oliver Lees
