Blind Fitness was founded in 2021 with the purpose of providing more opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision to engage in physical and recreational activities. Too often, people with vision loss are unable to participate in sports and recreational activities due to the challenges related to accessibility. Blind Fitness and its events have been created not because people who are blind or have low vision are incapable of exercising independently, but because their ability to exercise independently is often undermined by inaccessible construction, infrastructure, and limited societal beliefs. Blind Fitness was established to remedy this by providing a service with the blind and low vision community that makes fitness and recreational opportunities more accessible and to create opportunities that allow them to navigate these structures in order to enjoy sports and fitness while engaging with their community.
In 2021, a Blind Fitness athlete was selected to represent the United States in the International Surfing Association World Parasurfing competition. As a result of this international involvement, Blind Fitness began to form a group of leaders, athletes, educators and coaches to address the needs of people with vision loss in order to help structure and promote fitness activities for and with people who are blind or have low vision. Blind Fitness offers ongoing Orientation and Mobility training as well as an ever evolving menu of group and 1:1 fitness and recreational activities such as surfing, running, cycling, outrigger canoeing, hiking, yoga, strength and resistance training, horse therapy, and dance!
In addition to providing people who are blind or have low vision with fitness opportunities, Blind Fitness is dedicated to changing society’s negative stereotypes and limited beliefs concerning the abilities of people who are blind or have low vision. We combat these stereotypes by educating the public and directly addressing any barriers that might impact the blind and low vision community. People who have experienced gradual, sudden or lifelong vision loss (or any disability for that matter) understand that their experience has a lot to offer. Contrary to conventional definitions and perceptions of blindness, people with vision loss are not lost, confused, or living in a constant state of chaos. They have learned to slow down and pay attention. To listen and to feel. Thank you for having the curiosity and courage to step into the world of the blind. It is one that is beautiful and complex, as are all lives. So let us take good care of each other. Let's go Blind Fitness!
Credentials
ACVREP-certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) Brianna Pettit is a Santa Barbara-based Orientation and Mobility instructor. She is widely recognized for shaping some of the most adventurous and confident travelers who are blind or have low vision with her unique combination of fitness, nature, and aquatic work. Brianna is a certified Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialist and yoga instructor, bringing a holistic and healing approach to training and adventure with every client. When not working with her students, you can find Brianna and her son taking adventures along the California coast.
Credential in Orientation and Mobility, California Clinical Rehabilitative Services
Orientation and Mobility Certification, Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals
Certified California Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists (CAOMS), Certified COMS
Certified Yoga Instructor, Yoga Alliance, Core Power Yoga, and Yoga Soup
Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Graduate, Santa Barbara Business Development Course
Education:
Master of Arts, Special Education, 2012 California State University, Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, 2006 University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA