Sound of Tennis
Our Story
We created Sound of Tennis in 2015 to directly impact the daily lives of visually impaired athletes through access to, and success in, playing tennis.
Designed for individuals with varying degrees of blindness and skill levels, our program applies a specialized curriculum and adaptive equipment, including sound balls made of foam and smaller, modified courts with tactile lines, in a safe and inclusive environment.
Impact
2015
Since its creation, Court 16 has been dedicated to make tennis accessible to all. To fulfill this mission, Court 16 launched in 2015 the Sound of Tennis program.
2019
In 2019, the program was well established. Court 16 provided 114 coaching hours for 15 adult participants.
2020
2022
Thanks to the support of our partners, in 2020, we were serving over 40 athletes per week - and growing!
2023
The program is more active than ever in 2023, with weekly classes and summer camps hosted in Long Island City. Court 16 welcomed 33 students from our partner at Visions and Lighthouse Guild. They discovered the joy of swinging a tennis racket and listening to the sound ball.
In the Fall of 2022, Court 16 Foundation launched its Kids Sound of Tennis Program in Court 16 Downtown Brooklyn. There was excitement, fun and kids expressed their surprise and happiness upon trying tennis!
Impact
2015
Since its creation, Court 16 has been dedicated to make tennis accessible to all. To fulfill this mission, Court 16 launches the Sound of Tennis program.
2019
The program has been well established. Court 16 provided 114 coaching hours for 15 adult participants.
2020
Thanks to the support of our partners, we were serving over 40 athletes per week - and growing!
2022
In the Fall of 2022, Court 16 Foundation launched its Kids Sound of Tennis Program in Court 16 Downtown Brooklyn. There was excitement, fun and kids expressed their surprise and happiness upon trying tennis!
2023
The program is more active than ever in 2023, with weekly classes and summer camps hosted in Long Island City. Court 16 welcomed 33 students from our partner at Visions and Lighthouse Guild. They discovered the joy of swinging a tennis racket and listening to the sound ball.
“Sound of Tennis is a great program for the visual impaired and the blind community. It is not only learning how to swing a racket but also listening to the ball, which has a bell in it and that takes concentration, but it is a lot of fun. There is good interaction with the coaches and the team. For me, it is a physical, mental, and social therapy.”
— Hildi Morales, Sound of Tennis Athlete
The 2023 Kids Sound of Tennis Fall program at Court 16 Brooklyn, kicked off with Josue’s beautiful smile.
The Moran family, originally from Mexico, reside in Staten Island. Lisset Moran, mother of three children, was excited to learn Court 16 offers a tennis program designed for the blind and visually impaired kids. She didn’t mind a long commute to Brooklyn in order to have Josue enjoy the Sound of Tennis program.
Josue was diagnosed with Septo-optic-dysplasia, and thanks to his parents support, he is experiencing tennis and eliminating the barriers of learning this sport in a fun and save environment.
For 125 years, HKSB has proven their commitment to helping blind and visually impaired individuals develop independence and fully participate in community activities. Their support of sustainable wellness programs led to a natural partnership. Our holistic curriculum and rewarding program design also includes an off-court fitness regimen. Together, we are expediting access to tennis to blind and visually impaired New Yorkers.
For over 100 years, LCI has empowered volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs. In 2020, we partnered with LCI to reach more visually impaired athletes through LCI’s New York and New Jersey communities.