Educating parents in aquatics activities for children with visual impairmentsw

Aquatics are the number one physical activity among children with visual impairments (VI). Because parents may lack proper skills in teaching their children with VI how to swim, in some cases, they are not able to enjoy one of their favorite activities. The purpose of this article is to present a description of an aquatic workshop for parents who were presented within the context of the Fit Families program for children with VI. The workshop informed parents of aquatic opportunities and skills they could implement for their child in the water. This workshop also allowed parents to learn and practice how to use an aquatic assessment instrument, as well as discover a variety of new aquatic games and activities. With guidance from aquatic experts and university student volunteers, families participated in meaningful aquatic experiences. This dual approach facilitated the development of their competency in the water and determined a starting point for future swimming instruction.