Today there are many competitive opportunities for visually impaired athletes in local, national and international events. Visually impaired athletes require some minor accommodations to participate in most of these sports, including judo. No sport though is better suited than Judo to permit visually impaired athletes to compete on an equal basis against sighted athletes. A good judoka must be guided by what he senses and never by what he sees. Blind are at an advantage, as they have more feel for Judo than sighted persons. A blind person learns the techniques by felling them in his own body, they are capable of sensing the attacks before any sighted person could do.

Judo develops self-discipline and respect for oneself and others. Judo provides the means for learning self-confidence, concentration, and leadership skills, as well as physical coordination, power and flexibility.

As a sport that has evolved from a fighting art, it develops complete body control, fine balance, and fast reflexive action. Above all, it develops a sharp reacting mind well-coordinated with the same kind of body. Judo training gives a person an effective self-defense system if the need arises. Competition specifically for visually impaired competitors is governed by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). It has similar rules based on adaptations to the current International Judo Federation rules. Each visually impaired athlete is unique and competitors may need varying degrees of assistance depending on visual acuity, experience, age, etc. The basic procedures are that the coach or assistant will guide the competitor to his/her side of the mats when called and ensure that the competitor knows whether they are akai (red) or shiro (white). The corner judge then guides the athlete to his/her starting mark. After the judges are seated the referee will announce "re." The most important rule modification involves the beginning of the match. Although different methods have been tried in the past, the current rules call for the referee to calp once with arms outstretched in front. The competitors then advanced towards each other until contact is made. They engage in Kumikata (grip each other's ghi) and then drop their hands to their sides.