Slovenian capital welcomed the official launch of JudoBraille, a two-year Erasmus+ Sport project aiming to make judo fully accessible to blind and visually impaired athletes across Europe.
JudoBraille brings together leading organisations from across the continent: Judo Klub Golovec and Center IRIS (Slovenia), Club Deportivo Elemental Newton (Spain), Kaunas Judo Club Ryto Saulė (Lithuania), and Judo Klub Osoba s Invaliditetom Yuki (Croatia). Associated partners include the Slovenian Paralympic Committee, Croatian Judo Federation, Madrid Judo Federation, and Lithuanian Paralympic Committee, institutional support ensuring the project’s reach extends beyond individual clubs into national structures.
At the kick-off meeting, partners shared expertise, explored collaboration strategies and participated in practical sessions demonstrating inclusive judo techniques. Theory met practice.
JudoBraille is a practical intervention designed to remove specific barriers:
Accessible Belt Exam Guides: Transcribing examination materials into Braille and other accessible formats, ensuring visually impaired judoka can pursue grading progression independently and with dignity.
Coach Training & Curriculum Development: Equipping coaches with skills to adapt techniques, enhance communication methods, promote safety protocols and build confidence for VI athletes navigating a sport traditionally taught through visual demonstration.
