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Partially blind triathlete sues over requirement he wear blackout glasses

NEW YORK (CNN) -

 

A legally blind athlete is suing three triathlon groups over a rule that makes him and other vision-impaired runners wear blackout glasses -- leaving them

temporarily sightless -- in a controversial effort to "level the playing field.''

 

 

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by Aaron Scheidies, a 30-year-old athlete. Scheidies says the

rule violates the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

 

Having a legally blind person compete in the running portion of a triathlon with blackout glasses "poses substantial danger to not only the competitor but

those around them,'' the complaint says.

 

"It is illegal to require Aaron to wear blackout glasses that no able-bodied person would have to wear as a condition of receiving reasonable accommodation

in a triathlon,'' said Richard Bernstein, Scheidies' lawyer.

 

The complaint names USA Triathlon and The International Triathlon Union, both governing bodies for triathlons, and 3-D Racing, an organizer and sponsor.

 

The glasses, which thrust wearers into darkness, have been required for sight-challenged athletes running in triathlons overseen by the defendants since

2010, according to Bernstein.

 

"USA Triathlon is discriminating against legally blind competitors, stripping them of their dignity and depriving them of their ability to participate in

the athletic activity they love,'' says Bernstein, who has been blind since birth.

 

Arguing the policy makes no sense, Bernstein says triathlons forbid athletes from wearing headphones because the devices reduce awareness of surroundings,

endangering others.

 

Scheidies has about 20% of his vision. He has been losing sight since he was 9 because of Stargardt's disease, which his website calls the most common form

of inherited juvenile macular degeneration. The ailment has significantly impaired Scheidies' central vision, and he sees mostly in blurs aside from some

peripheral sight.

 

"The rule exists to create a fairer competition for all athletes because partially blind athletes and completely blind athletes compete in the same category,

and partially blind athletes have an advantage over those who are completely blind,'' the International Triathlon Union said in a statement to CNN.com,

adding that the glasses must be worn only during the running portion, not in the swimming or biking events.

 

 

 

Source:

http://www.wptz.com/news/sports/Partially-blind-triathlete-sues-over-requirement-he-wear-blackout-glasses/-/8870002/11895408/-/qgdky7/-/