Southern

Blind/Low Vision Workshop teaches techniques to better serve athletes

Chris Stuart / USTA Arkansas & Allan Jensen / USTA Southern | May 08, 2026

A participant and coach in the Blind/Low Vision Workshop in Lowell, Arkansas.

USTA Arkansas and USTA Southern hosted a Blind/Low Vision Workshop at Matrix Racquet Club in Lowell. Ten participants attended the event, learning about teaching Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) tennis and how to better serve athletes within the Adapted Tennis community.

The workshop was led by David Dilettuso, one of the co-founders of ACE in Blind Tennis. ACE in Blind Tennis is dedicated to advancing the sport of blind and visually impaired tennis by empowering coaches, increasing awareness, and expanding access to programs nationwide. The organization provides training, tools, and support to help communities build sustainable programs while developing knowledgeable and confident coaches.

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Gaining hands-on knowledge

During the two-hour workshop, participants gained hands-on experience learning what it can be like to navigate the world with vision impairments. Coaches and attendees wore specially designed goggles that simulated a variety of visual conditions, allowing them to better understand the experiences of individuals within the blind and low vision community. This interactive experience helped participants learn adaptive teaching methods and gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities involved in BVI tennis.

The learning continued the next day, as participants put their newly acquired knowledge into action. Three athletes living with vision impairments joined the on-court session, where they spent three hours learning tennis skills, building confidence, and enjoying the game in a fun and supportive environment. For the coaches, the session provided invaluable real-time, hands-on experience working directly with BVI athletes.

In addition to time spent on court, the weekend also created meaningful conversations between coaches, participants, and parents. One impactful activity allowed parents to wear the simulation goggles themselves, giving them the opportunity to experience a glimpse of how their child may see the world. The event also opened the door for valuable discussions and feedback about the experience, future opportunities, and long-term goals for developing a local blind and low vision tennis program in the Northwest Arkansas area.

Participants in the Blind/Low Vision Workshop in Lowell, Arkansas.

To help promote the event, we partnered with local vision associations, tennis professionals, and Univision, which serves the Northwest Arkansas region from nearby Bentonville. Through these outreach efforts, five local Hispanic tennis advocates were able to attend and take part in the workshop experience.

We would like to extend a special thank you to all of the BVI participants and families who attended, the coaches who dedicated their time to learning and growing through this experience, Matrix Racquet Club for hosting the event, as well as USTA Southern and ACE in Blind Tennis for leading the training and helping make this impactful weekend possible. We would also like to thank Univision for helping spread awareness about this special event and supporting outreach efforts within the local community.

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