A collage of diverse visually impaired participants and volunteer guides engaging in various inclusive physical activities on a white background. The group is shown rock climbing, exercising on a Pilates reformer, stretching with an orange resistance band, and performing movement exercises. Several participants are wearing sunglasses, and a yellow guide dog is resting on a mini trampoline in the foreground.

Guide Dogs Singapore Ltd (GDS), in collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), is proud to announce the official launch of ACTIVE VI (activevi.sg). Supported by the Enabling Lives Initiative (eLi) Grant, this pioneering web-based platform provides comprehensive resources to make sports, health, and wellness activities more accessible for persons with vision impairment (PVI).

For many individuals with vision loss, participating in physical activities can be daunting due to a lack of accessible venues, specialised guidance, or trained instructors. ACTIVE VI bridges this gap by equipping the entire community—from the visually impaired and their caregivers to volunteers and fitness professionals—with the knowledge and tools required to foster truly inclusive fitness environments.

  • A man with a visual impairment wearing a safety harness is shown ascending an indoor rock climbing wall, securely gripping a handhold with one hand while stepping onto a foothold with his knee bent.
  • A promotional graphic for an Inclusive Kayaking event by Guide Dogs Singapore and Republic Polytechnic. The image features a group of smiling participants wearing life jackets in bright yellow kayaks, waving and raising their paddles on a river, with a bridge, a spiral tower, and residential buildings in the background.
  • Two women wearing blue safety helmets and harnesses carefully balance as they cross an indoor suspended rope obstacle course, holding onto horizontal ropes for support. Several people stand on the ground below watching them against a grey wall.
  • Two men with visual impairments stand at a race starting line with their guide dogs—a yellow Labrador and a black Labrador. They are surrounded by a crowd of runners in bright yellow event t-shirts, preparing for the Relay for Life.

A Co-Designed, Community-First Approach

The research and development behind ACTIVE VI was spearheaded by a team from the Singapore Institute of Technology, led by Associate Professor Tan Hwei Lan. Recognising the importance of lived experiences, GDS co-funded the research and actively connected the project team with the local VI community.

By integrating the direct feedback, challenges, and aspirations of PVI participants, the resulting platform ensures that every resource, checklist, and training video addresses the real-world needs of the community it serves.

What You Will Discover on ACTIVE VI

Whether you are a person with vision impairment seeking a new sport, a caregiver supporting a loved one, or a business owner aiming to make your gym more inclusive, the platform offers tailored, practical support:

  • Adaptive Activities Directory: A curated, filterable hub of inclusive sports and movement classes available in Singapore, ranging from goalball and para-swimming to indoor rock climbing and chair yoga.

  • Professional Fitness Toolkits: Comprehensive, downloadable resources for coaches and instructors, including accessibility guidance checklists and the Get-Active Questionnaire (GAQ) health screening forms.

  • Volunteer & Caregiver Training: Step-by-step video demonstrations and practical principles on effective sight-guiding techniques and clear, non-visual communication strategies.
  • Educational Resources: In-depth guides breaking down common eye conditions (such as Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, and Retinitis Pigmentosa) and the IBSA sport classification standards, helping providers better anticipate participant needs.
  • Inspiring Community Stories: A rich multimedia library featuring the “Clear Cues and Good Guides” podcast series and video journeys that highlight how adaptive movement builds confidence, independence, and lasting friendships.

Join the Movement

Fitness is a universal right, and lack of sight should never mean a lack of opportunity. By providing practical frameworks like the STEP and TREE models for activity adaptation, ACTIVE VI empowers fitness professionals to confidently welcome PVI participants into their classes without requiring medical expertise—just understanding, clear communication, and thoughtful adjustments.

We invite the public, sports facility operators, and fitness enthusiasts to explore the platform, utilise the toolkits, and join us in creating a more inclusive society.

Visit the new platform today at www.activevi.sg and help us support everyone to Move Beyond Vision.

GDS is a non-profit voluntary welfare organisation, and has been accorded Charity status by the Commissioner of Charities. We are registered with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) as an associate member and holds an Institute of Public Character status.
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