• Martial arts should be introduced by and learned with a qualified instructor.
• Consider trying a form of martial arts that focuses on movement and body awareness. Arts that use target and object recognition may be more difficult for a beginner. Many individuals have found Judo to be a satisfying and effective sport.
• Find an instructor willing to guide you through movements. With practice and repetition they can be easy to learn.
• Focus on environment and sensory development — particularly awareness of your body position in space and of others around you.

Helpful resources in this area include: [all links open in new window]

• Judo for Blind Athletes has coaching tips, rules, and benefits of judo for blind atheletes
• "Safe Without Sight", a self-defense home study course for persons with vision impairments published by the National Braille Press.
• ?"Blind Zen" is the story of a blind woman's efforts to learn self defense.