What is a common challenge for athletes with visual impairments in sports?

Athletes with visual impairments often face unique challenges that differ from those experienced by sighted athletes. One significant challenge is navigating the court or playing area during competition. In many sports, players rely heavily on their vision to gauge distances, understand the positioning of teammates and opponents, and anticipate the movement of the ball or other equipment. For athletes with visual impairments, this reliance on sight is not an option, which makes spatial awareness and movement in the playing area more challenging.

To address this, accommodations such as auditory cues, the use of tactile markers, or modified equipment can help these athletes participate more effectively. The challenge of navigation not only affects performance but also impacts the athlete's safety and the overall fluidity of the game. This is why navigating the court or playing area during competition stands out as a common hurdle for athletes with visual impairments.

In contrast, the other options, such as participating in team strategy meetings and understanding the rules of the game, often rely less on visual input and more on communication and verbal explanation. Similarly, effective communication with teammates can be enhanced through the use of verbal cues and other non-visual strategies, making these aspects less challenging comparatively.