A First-Time Experience: Blind and Visually Impaired Teens Play Goalball 

New York (May 20, 2024) — On Saturday, May 18, twenty-five students ages fourteen to twenty-one from the Lighthouse Guild Youth Transition Program participated in an exhilarating and fun goalball clinic. The sport, devised for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, was played at the Trinity School in New York City and hosted by Lighthouse Guild’s successes this year. We’re so grateful to our friends at the NYABA and the Stephen T. Pearlman Volunteer Center and The New York Association of Blind Athletes (NYABA). The game of goalball originated in 1946 and over the years has become the premier team sport for blind athletes and it’s played competitively in 112 countries. During the clinic many of the students experienced playing the sport for the first time. The teens left the clinic with the key message that adaptive sports enable everyone to participate and that there are no limits to what people who are blind or visually impaired can do. 

Jaydan Mitchell, Coordinator of Youth Programs at Lighthouse Guild said, “Lighthouse Guild’s Youth Programs are here to empower young people who are visually impaired with the skills and tools needed to achieve their goals. And what a fitting way to close out a school year filled with learning and growth. Goalball is a game that levels the playing field, prioritizes accessibility and challenges players to be both individual assets and a powerful team. And you can have fun while doing all of that! It’s hard to imagine a more fitting way to celebrate our students’ successes this year. We’re so grateful to our friends at the NYABA and the Stephen T. Pearlman Volunteer Center for bringing this experience to us.”

The Lighthouse Guild Youth Transition Program meets every Saturday and offers guidance, counseling, vocational and recreational services to students from across NYC. Students learn important skills for long term success, while also making friends, having fun, being creative and staying active. The program is generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Len and Emily Blavatnik, say, “The foundation is proud to help make Lighthouse Guild’s essential youth programs possible, and fun events like this Clinic help everyone achieve and advance their goals!”

“Growing up I always strived to find something to keep myself active, but due to my visual impairment I didn’t really excel as much as I wanted to,” said Manuel Puma, a player with the NYABA. “However, with goalball, I finally found the sport that I could improve on and develop my skills. To be able to give back to the teens in the Lighthouse Guild Youth Skills Program, who may be having the same thoughts as I did back then, is a blessing. I thank the Trinity School for allowing us to be here and Lighthouse Guild for collaborating with us to create awareness of the sport of goalball.”

“Goalball equipment, including special goggles, was provided in part by Envision Blind Sports and Move United.“

Lighthouse Guild 
Lighthouse Guild provides exceptional services that inspire people who are visually impaired to attain their goals. Our podcast series, “On Tech & Vision with Dr. Cal Roberts” offers information and insights about technological innovations that are tearing down barriers for people who are blind or visually impaired. For more information, visit lighthouseguild.org.

Source: Lighthouse Guild

Contact:   Bryan Dotson, Manners Dotson Group,

917-796-8632, bdotson@mannersdotson.com