2025 Volume 64 Issue 5 Pages 477-485
Sports are an important means not only of maintaining physical health but also of fostering community connections. However, for PVI (people with visual impairments), participating in high-intensity sports presents significant challenges. In contexts requiring rapid decision-making, conventional support technologies that rely solely on auditory or tactile feedback are often inadequate. This article introduces the “Low Vision Boxing” initiative, which seeks to enable PVI to engage in kickboxing in a practical and sustained manner. Rather than substituting vision, the project adopts an approach that leverages residual vision by incorporating visual cues through LED lights into a wearable prototype. Developed through participatory design involving visually impaired practitioners and trainers, the prototype was evaluated by 11 PVI, revealing both its effectiveness and areas for improvement. Additionally, the initiative has been actively promoted through regular training sessions and public event participation, highlighting efforts toward social implementation and broader dissemination.
