Pickleball for all: Developing equipment for visually-impaired players

Key Information

Lead Researchers: T. Alexander Swain
Subject Area: Adaptive Sport
Funding Body: ESRC
Project Duration: 8 months
Partners: Frenz Pickleball, Sport Wales, Welsh Government, Public Health Wales
Further Information: t.a.swain@swansea.ac.uk

Challenge

Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport known for its physical, social, and wellbeing benefits. However, the standard equipment is not designed with accessibility in mind, which creates barriers for visually-impaired (VI) players. Traditional pickleballs provide very limited auditory feedback, making it difficult for VI players to track the ball and fully engage in gameplay.

This project addresses an important gap in inclusive sport by developing accessible equipment that can help VI players participate more confidently and independently. Improving access to inclusive physical activity opportunities is important not only for physical health, but also for social inclusion, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

Method

This project focuses on the co-design and development of an audible pickleball through collaboration with VI players and project partners. The work involves iterative prototype design using electronics and 3D printing, followed by testing in real-world pickleball sessions.

The project includes consultation workshops with VI participants, prototype testing sessions delivered in partnership with Frenz Pickleball, and ongoing refinement of the equipment based on user feedback. Alongside this, the project will evaluate user experiences and perceived benefits of participation to understand how accessible equipment can support engagement in inclusive sport.

Findings

Early activity is focusing on prototype development and user engagement. Through initial engagement with VI players, there was a clear appetite for the provision of continuous auditory feedback within the ball, contrasting traditional VI sports equipment that are only audible on impact. It is anticipated that this will improve players’ ability to track play, increasing confidence and enjoyment during participation.

The project is also highlighting the importance of involving VI participants directly in the design process. Early feedback is helping to identify practical considerations such as sound clarity, durability, and usability, ensuring the final equipment reflects the real needs of players rather than assumptions about accessibility. This is important to ensure the equipment is both usable and meaningful in real community sport settings.

Impact

This project is supporting the inclusion of VI individuals within a rapidly growing sport by helping to remove equipment-related barriers to participation. By developing accessible equipment in partnership with a local club, the work is directly contributing to making pickleball sessions more inclusive and accessible in practice.

The project is also strengthening links between researchers, community organisations, and national partners, each working to grow inclusive sport. By demonstrating how relatively small equipment adaptations can make activities more accessible, the work helps raise awareness of the importance of inclusive design and supports wider conversations about how community sport can better include people with disabilities.

At Frenz Pickleball, we are committed to creating a welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can participate. This project is a significant step towards achieving that goal. By working together with WIPAHS, we can design equipment that not only makes the game more enjoyable for VI players but also helps set a standard for inclusivity in sports.

Steven Baker, Founder, Frenz Pickleball