At Altavia Japan, we participated in the interactive program ‘OFF T!ME,’ organized by the Japan Blind Soccer Association. This marked our first attempt at engaging in a program aimed at fostering understanding of diversity.

Blind soccer is a 5-a-side soccer game where all players wear blindfolds. Players rely on the sound of the ball, teammates’ instructions, and opponents’ voices to discern every piece of information, allowing them to grasp the ball’s position, the direction of the goal, and the distance for effective play.

During the program, participants wore blindfolds just like in actual blind soccer and engaged in simple games and passing exercises with a ball. Initially, some participants found it challenging to even move due to the obstructed vision, but by the end, they gained confidence in their movements by relying on the voices of their teammates, sounds, and the trust in their companions.

While the primary objective of participating in blind soccer was to enhance understanding of diversity, we also felt positive impacts on teamwork and communication. Regardless of visual impairment, the program served as a reminder of how crucial it is to comprehend and communicate the situations of others, and the importance of trusting both oneself and others. It was a valuable experience that emphasized these principles beyond the initial goal of promoting diversity awareness.