The host city of the 2019 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball and Judo International Qualifier – Fort Wayne, USA – has been making the city more accessible ahead of the start of competition on 2 July.

The city in the state of Indiana has installed three auditory crosswalks to help blind and visually impaired athletes and people attend upcoming events. 

Auditory crosswalks are operational at the intersections of Washington Boulevard and Harrison Street, Calhoun Street and Washington Boulevard, and Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street. 

The city said the crosswalks will aid athletes and guests during the competition, which will offer goalball teams the chance to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Judoka will be able to secure world ranking points which go towards qualification.

Some 600 athletes from over 40 countries will take part in the event which is being held across three venues: the Turnstone Center, Indiana Tech and the Grand Wayne Center.

The city said the auditory crosswalk work is part of a larger project to modernise pedestrian infrastructure in the city through an ongoing Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan. 

The 2019 IBSA Goalball and Judo International Qualifier is being organised by the United States Association of Blind Athletes. The IBSA General Assembly will also take place during the event.
 
A live broadcast of competition will be available when competitions gets underway on 2-9 July on the IBSA Goalball and IBSA Judo Facebook pages and IBSA’s YouTube channel.