Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato recently announced the opening of the county’s first tennis courts for the blind and visually impaired (BVI) in four local parks.

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The courts opened in July in four Allegheny County parks – Boyce, North, Settlers Cabin and South Park. The courts are designed to accommodate both visually impaired and fully sighted players and promote community inclusion.

Low-vision or “soundball” tennis is played on a slightly smaller court with a slower foam soundball that has a rattle inside. Players track the ball using sound and, if they have limited vision, their existing vision.

The new pitches allow athletes to enter the pitch without having to bring temporary marker tapes each time.

Tennis for the visually impaired

A recent study from Carlow University examined how blind or visually impaired athletes react to different sounds made by special tennis balls. Psychology professor Jennifer K. Roth, who led the study, is also involved in local and national tennis associations that raise awareness of the sport and expand access for visually impaired players.

The United States Blind Tennis Association, based in Pittsburgh, is a pioneer in the integration of tennis for the blind and visually impaired into the mainstream sport. Since its founding, the association has conducted training and introduced programs in several states.

“When I talk about building a county for everyone, I mean places where people feel connected to their neighbors and communities, and parks that everyone can enjoy, and this project really embodies that ethos,” Innamorato said.