Blindness or Partial sight are in each case a sensory loss. The level of the disability varies widely, and is dependent upon two factors; (a) the degree of visual loss and (b) the level of compensation achieved by the more effective use of sensory inflows. It is important to observe that the level of visual acuity is not directly related to level of handicap. Some totally blind people are less handicapped than those who are partially sighted, due to the high degree of compensatory mechanism they are able to employ. On the other hand, the advantage of even the slightest amount of residual vision cannot be underestimated.

The degree of vision loss varies more widely than is first apparent.

People who are totally blind (with no perception of light) make up about 15% of the register, those almost totally blind (with perception of light) about 35% and the completion of the blind register is made up by those with 3/60th acuity. There is a similar register for the partially sighted, whose visual acuity is of a higher rating to that already mentioned, but it should be noted that admission to either register rests on the recommendation of a consultant. The registered partially sighted population of this country are largely affected by grossly defective vision, rather than blindness in the generally accepted sense of the word. This is one reason why there is a growing tendency to use the term "Visually Impaired" to describe those who are admitted to the registers. The statistics show that 2 out of 3 of those on the register are over the age of 65. Figures available show there are approximately 150.000 registered blind, and 85.000 partially sighted people in England, Scotland and Wales.

It is the responsibility of all those involved in the welfare of the blind, of all ages, to aim for the highest possible level of adjustment to the handicap. Rehabilitation programmes are geared for all ages, and each has a special place for sport as an important means for teaching some of the special skills which enable a visually impaired person to achieve independence. A visual impairment does not normally affect the fitness of the individual. The exception is retinal detachment where the condition prevents stooping, jerking of the head or lifting heavy weights for fear of jeopardising any remaining sight.

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Evaluation of Bowls and Visually Impaired People.

Playing a game of bowls is an ideal recreation for Visually Impaired people; in so doing, benefits are acquired collectively which otherwise would need a far greater amount of public support. It has been described as a great sociological factor in the rehabilitation of blind people into society - mobility - orientation - confidence - physical and mental exercise - imagination and concentration are some of the factors which arise.

The involvement in a social life is also an important part of the rehabilitation, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that Bowls adds another dimension to the lives of those afflicted in this way. To be able to walk confidently up the 40 or so yards of the green, knowing there are no hazards to cope with is an invaluable experience to the visually impaired person. Specifically, bowls can be used as a means of obtaining poise, balance, muscular control and co-ordination of movement. It is helpful in overcoming the built-in reflex fear of harm which is inevitable with the complete removal of, or deterioration of sight. Activity in the controlled situation which the bowls green provides, results in the freedom of movement, encourages independence and builds confidence within the physical and psychological areas.

It should be remembered that not every visually impaired person will necessarily be new to the game. There are many people who for many years have devotedly served the sport and are forced to give up because they can no longer set the "jack" to them it is an overwhelming experience to once again be able to tread the hallowed turf.

Sport has two main benefits that all sportsmen and women share; the enrichment of life through social contacts and the increase, in general fitness, widely needed due to our increasingly sedentary way of life. These are even more important considerations for visually impaired people, where the disability itself tends to increase insularity and physical inactivity, This is specially true of the elderly blind, who form by far the larger part of the registered visually impaired population.

However, Bowls is rarely pursued by visually impaired people for its remedial contents. The blind sportsman or woman is a participant because they enjoy the sport rather than having been directed to the sport for any medical prime factor of importance. In addition, Bowls as an aiming sport provides a real challenge as well as exercising the greater use of the remaining senses if success is to be achieved. Thus the high level of competence reached despite the disability has its own particular reward for the participant.

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Formation of a Club.

There can be no set plan for the formation of clubs which will differ from area to area. Success in any area will greatly depend upon the degree of support from the local bowling community and from the local authority. in some places the question of transport will be a major obstacle, while in others public transport will be adequate. Membership should be open to all registered blind and registered partially sighted of both sexes irrespective of age.

Six or eight people is a good manageable number to start with and build upon as and when facilities become available, although it is sometimes necessary, particularly in rural areas, to start with a small number.

Contact the authority, public or private, controlling the greens in your area and ask that you may be given the use of one or two rinks for a two hour period once or twice a week. Frequently opposition will be experienced presuming that there is a danger of damage to the turf. Explain that proper tuition will be given and that experience elsewhere has shown that there is less likelihood of damage from the properly taught visually impaired bowlers than any uncoached sighted players.

Next you will need to acquire bowls to play the game. lnserts in the local news media and circulation of local Bowls Clubs usually results in a ready response.

Having got your bowls, the players and facilities, you now come to the most important item of all - HELPERS - for no club can function without the help of fully sighted, experienced bowlers. There are often ladies or gentlemen with time on their hands, themselves enthusiastic bowlers, who would be willing to give a little of that time to teaching and organising games for visually impaired people. Write to the Secretaries of your local Bowls Clubs asking them to make it known that such help is needed and there will usually be a constructive response. If they doubt the ability of visually impaired people to play the game, they can be assured that player who is willing to apply himself rigorously to the game can achieve a high standard of competence. If necessary a report can be furnished from recognised clubs elsewhere.

In order to achieve the maximum benefit, it is recommended that local bodies such as the sports council, voluntary associations for the blind and the local authority (Directorate of Social Services) should meet together with the already recruited helpers and visually impaired people to plan a course of action.

Particular mention must be made of the organising side, for when a committee for a fair sized club is created, although the members should predominantly be visually impaired, a sighted Secretary and Treasurer are normally advisable.

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Rules.

In order that visually impaired people may fully participate in the sport, the following variations to the Laws of Bowling have been agreed. In all respects the laws of the E.B.A. (English Bowling Association) shall apply, except that men and women may be members of the same club and bowls games may likewise be mixed.

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Definitions and Regulations.

Dress:All competitors shall conform to E.B.A. and E.W.B.A. rules.

Mats:Must be of regulation size and the front edge must be placed two metres from the ditch at each end.

Helpers:The sighted person assisting the bowler shall be referred to as the helper. He or she shall be in complete charge of his or her team or player, at all times. He or she shall remain at the mat end until the last wood is played, except when inspection of the head is thought necessary, The helper may assist the player with the strategy of the game.

Marker:The sighted person standing at the jack end shall be referred to as the marker.

Strings:A thin white string running from ditch to ditch shall be placed along the centre of the rink, under the mat.

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Conditions of Play.

1. There shall be a marker at the jack end, and two helpers at the mat end.
2. The helper(s) shall lay the mat and assist with gathering-in etc. of woods for the player or players. They shall assist the lead player to have jack and bowl to hand in order to expedite play.
3. The marker shall straighten the jack and inform the helper the distance of the jack from the mat.
4. The jack must be delivered to a point not less than 70ft. from the front edge of the mat. If it is incorrectly delivered four (4) times, the helper of the first bowler shall inform the marker to place the jack to a length of former's choice.
5. When the jack comes to rest the marker shall indicate to the helper by means of signals, the distance of the jack from the mat.
6. When the bowl comes to rest, the helper shall then inform the bowler where it has come to rest, using the clock system (see Coaching - 13 and 14)
7. No bowls may be disturbed until the helpers have agreed shots .
8. Players should stand well behind the jack or the mat in order not to interfere with play and observe silence.
9. No mechanical or visible aids shall be permitted other than centring strings.
10. If for any reason less than 5 ends are played, the game shall be null and void. otherwise the score reached will be the result.

Coaching.

1. The most important factor to bear in mind is that the majority of visually impaired people have absolutely no knowledge or, understanding of the game of bowls. In fact, a great many of them will never have played sport. So. the very first thing to do is to sit down with the new pupil and, starting right at the beginning explain the game in detail; discussing , singles, pairs, triples and rinks, At an early stage establish whether they have any other physical disability or complaint which needs to be considered.
2. Explain that it is played on grass and that the object of the game is to deliver as near as possible to a small white ball called a "jack".
3. Give a bowl to the pupil, let them handle and get the feel of it. Explain that because of it's peculiar construction it cannot run in a straight line to the jack, but must follow a curve.
4. Let them feel the running surface, the bias side and the non-bias side. To help the pupil differentiate between these two sides a small object such as a piece of Elastoplast may be affixed to the non-bias side. Tell the pupil that the bowls are either black or brown and that all have distinctive markings.
5. The next step is to take the pupil to a bowling green and walk around with them describing the full layout both on the green and off. Explain that the green is 40-44 yards square. As each individual item is pointed out to the pupil, allow them to feel it for themselves, let them familiarise themselves with every part of the green, and with every item of equipment on the banks.
6. Explain that as a rule, the green is divided into six rinks each 19 feet wide on each of which a game is played. The rinks are numbered and the numbered discs are placed at each end on the bank and in line with the centre of the rink. It, is extremely important that these numbers are indicated to the pupil.
7. Explain the purpose of the centring strings which run from ditch to ditch, in line with the number plates and under the mat. That the objective is for a visually impaired bowler to be able, eventually, to play the game without the use of this aid. All this information is helping the pupil to build a mental picture of the surroundings.
8. As all the teachers are bowlers themselves, it is not necessary in this memorandum to detail all the items on the bowling green which have to be explained to the visually impaired bowler. However, it is incumbent upon the teacher to be meticulous about demonstrating each and every item. Particular attention being paid to the ditch and the bank and how to step ftom the bank on to the green.
9. The visually impaired bowler should be directed to the number, feel then pick up the mat and jack. Ascertaining that they are standing directly in front of the number, turn round, and take two strides forward and place the mat on the grass, Here the sighted teacher/helper must see that the mat is square.
10. The next step is to teach the pupil how to grip the bowl. It is recommended that the two grips, the claw grip and the cradle grip should be demonstrated, and the one most suitable to the pupil be selected for their purpose. The pupil should be permitted to handle various types of bowls and the complete range of size and weight. If possible, the most suitable size should be selected for the pupil to play with.
11. The pupil should be demonstrated the stance. That will present some difficulty in the beginning, but with practice, the pupil will soon learn how to stand square on the mat by themselves.
12. De1ivery: the experienced bowler/helper will have become acquainted over the years, with most of the methods of delivery commonly used and he will need to adapt a technique to suit the abilities of the pupil; be it the stationary crouch style or that where the bowler steps forward to deliver the bowl. It is imperative that stance and delivery are perfected from the outset and once decided the visually impaired bowler keeps to the agreed method. Any tendency to "bounce" must be eliminated and the bowler informed of the danger of this malpractice.
13. As directions for the angle of green and the final position of the bowl at rest are given in terms of the clock, it is as well at this stage to clarify the use of the clock.
14. A preliminary demonstration of the clock method can be given to the pupil, by using their arm and hand. Use the hand on which to trace, with the finger, the clock face and position of the jack and likewise show the position of the mat as being at the top of the inside of the forearm. By running the finger down the forearm it is possible to demonstrate the course of a bowl from the point of delivery to the point of rest, using the clock method.

15. Teachers are recommended, when possible, one to stand with the bowler and the other to stand behind the jack. The latter helper calls the length of the jack, from the mat in yards. The same person describes where the bowl has come to rest, and this can be conveyed to the bowler by the helper at the mat - receipt of this information is acknowledged by the bowler, or helper raising a hand.
16. Always be encouraging, but at no stage give incorrect information. If the bowl is nowhere near the jack, don't say that it is. As soon as possible allow the visually impaired bowler to develop a sense of independence and confidence by not interfering too much with his technique.
17. The concentration of the bowler must also be respected.
18. The pupil should be taught to replace the mat in the standard position if they have played the latest wood,, and must be encouraged to walk confidently the length of the green explaining that this is their rink and that there is nothing in the way.
19. The pupil must now again familiarise them self with the mat and find the centring string, which will give an accurate direction of the jack.
20. Continual practice and assistance must be given in the turning of the feet and the body so that the bowler is facing the right direction for either the forehand or backhand. In time the bowler will be able to make their own judgement.
21. The bowler is told to bring their bowling arm back, slightly behind their body, delivering the bowl about twelve inches in front of them and as close to the ground as possible, with their hand following through after the bowl has been released.
22. For the first few lessons be content to let the pupil develop the adopted technique which should be as simple and devoid of errors as possible so that your visually impaired bowler becomes a consistent bowler following the same pattern of delivery.
23. Right from the outset, using the clock technique, tell the bowler where their bowl has come to rest. You are their eyes and without telling them the end result of their delivery, there will be no fun in this game of bowls.
24. Week after week, and perhaps month after month, the pupil must be patiently coached. If possible, after satisfactory progress has been made, arrange to play the pupil in a match alongside sighted bowlers, one of whom should be delegated to describe the progress of a bowl and if necessary to help walk the green with the visually impaired bowler.
25. In these notes it is not possible to cover all the points which occur, but the coach, will in time, be able to pass on all sorts of tips he himself has acquired over the years.

Coaching - Summary.

• The teacher at the mat should describe the progress of the bowl, from the point of delivery until it comes to rest, This should be done with each bowl, not only to add interest, but also to enable an understanding of the build up of a head.

• Visually impaired bowlers should be able to take their own angle after the first few lessons without help, in order that they learn how much green to take. Only practice will teach this, but if coaches insist on giving the angle on every occasion the bowler will never learn.

• The helper at the jack end must indicate in terms of the clock where each bowl has landed and how far short or through or at jack level, otherwise control of weight will never be learnt.

• During the first few months of coaching it is a good procedure, at the end of each head, to let the visually impaired bowler feel the position of the bowls in relation to the jack. If the bowls are far away this is not practicable.

• And so with this progress the visually impaired bowler will understand the strategy of the game and will not need much help from their sighted fellow bowlers. Therefore this must be the ultimate goal of all coaches:

• The visually impaired bowler, on the green, playing the game without any assistance.

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