WADSA are supporting Vision Impaired and Blind Bowlers WA (VIBBWA) to implement a targeted grant, removing barriers and welcoming blind and vision impaired players to lawn bowls, boosting confidence, skills, and community connection across WA.
April 16, 2026 Read time - 2 minutes
Members/Partners
The Challenge:
People who are blind or vision impaired face limited access to lawn bowls due to equipment costs, lack of trained volunteers, and minimal awareness of inclusive formats within local clubs. Blind or Vision Impaired Bowlers participate with support of sighted directors- making wider awareness and volunteers from the community essential to ensure bowlers have access to the sport.
The How:
The Australian Blind Bowlers Association (ABBA) have dispersed grant funding from the Department of Social Services to state representatives such as VIBBWA, to increase exposure to lawn bowls for vision impaired and blind individuals and create a thriving inclusive community for local clubs. Funding supported the provision of bowling packs to loan participating clubs, as well as events to promote and celebrate bowls.
Working in conjunction with WADSA, Bowls WA, Blind Sports Australia and The Southwest Rollers, VIBBWA are rolling out a calendar of information sessions and Come and Try events across Local Bowls Clubs in the Great Southern, Midwest, Southwest and Metropolitan Perth, providing new opportunities for communities to come together and support vision impaired and blind bowls at their local clubs.
Key Achievements:
- Increased participation of blind and vision impaired players
- 7 clubs hosting Vision impaired and Blind Bowls events
- Improved club awareness and community interest in directing
- Stronger social connections and player wellbeing
“ For VIBBWA, this grant has allowed us to greatly increase our exposure to many areas of WA and within the lawn bowls communities. Working with WADSA has aided us in achieving the grants aims and bought an inclusive environment to our planning and events and we plan to continue that association as we undertake more engagement and support activities with the Blind & Vision Impaired Community.”
– Howard Dickinson, VIBBWA
To get involved in Vision impaired and Blind Bowls, reach out to VIBBWA at: [email protected] or visit their website https://www.bowlswa.com.au/vision-impaired-blind-bowls.
WADSA can support your club to increase inclusive programs and participation. For more information on our Member Support Program, contact [email protected] or visit our website Peak Body Disabled Sport & Recreation | WADSA