United States Blind Tennis Association Making Tennis Accessible to BLV Players
About USBTA and Blind & Low Vision Tennis
Founded in 2022, the United States Blind Tennis Association (USBTA) is leading the way in bringing Blind and Low Vision (BLV) tennis to the mainstream.
The organization works closely with the United States Tennis Association (nationally and locally) to bring tennis opportunities to a community that has been traditionally underrepresented. In a short time as an organization, USBTA has already conducted trainings and introduced programming in numerous states. USBTA is also further developing the sport through its research.
The organization has been recognized locally and nationally with a number of awards.
BLV tennis continues to grow. Mioshi Takei, a blind Japanese athlete, created the sport in 1984. Takei designed a ball that made a sound, raised lines so a player could feel, and lowered the net among other adaptations. In 2014 the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) was formed to regulate and oversee the sport.
Today, Blind/VI Tennis is played all over the world.
Organizations interested in partnering with this initiative can contact Murray Elbourn, Board President, by sending an email to President@usbta.org.
