In the March/April 2003 edition of The Journal on Active Aging, Gwen Hyatt, M.S., and L. Penny Rosenblum, Ph.D., offer some excellent pointers on how the health and wellness industry can serve individuals with visual impairments more appropriately.

1. Communication Issues: "Seeing" words, i.e., "see" or "look," should definitely be utilized, as persons with visual impairments use other senses to "see." Moreover, listen intently to the client: let him or her take the lead, such as reaching and grasping the trainer's arm.
2. Adapt the Workout Environment: Be aware of color and contrast, illumination and glare, equipment placement, as well as issues involving signage and written instructions.
3. Orienting Clients to the Facility: Ask each client about his or her impairment during an initial orientation and obtain sufficient information on the client's exercise history before commencing an orientation with the exercise equipment.

The article also includes useful information on common causes of vision impairment, how to recognize changes in vision, educational opportunities on fitness training for clients with visual impairments, Web resources, and a glossary of terms.

Read the complete article at Hyatt, G., and Rosenblum, L. P. (2003). More than meets the eye. The Journal on Active Aging, 2(2), 16-23.