USA Pickleball Rule Changes

• Section 2 – Definitions – Vision Impairment - a person with visual impairment refers to eyesight that is difficult or impossible to correct. Low visual acuity is defined as vision between 20/70 and 20/400 with the best possible correction. It may also refer to a visual field of 20 degrees or less. https://www.sightconnection.org/vision-impairment-definition-and-meaning/
• Section 2 – Definitions - Color Blindness - a person that is color blind refers to the most common type of color vision deficiency makes it hard to tell the difference between red and green. Another type makes blue and yellow look the same. In rare cases, people have complete color vision deficiency, which means they don’t see color at all. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/color-blindness

Section 25

Wheelchair, Adaptive Standing, Hybrid Doubles, Visual Impairment and Color Blindness

25.D – a player with visual impairment may opt for a double bounce, a different ball color and/or a ball with a sound effect or parter communication before hitting a bal.

25.E – a player with color blindness may opt for a different ball color.

Part IV (Section 25) presents additional rules that apply to players who use a
wheelchair during play, standing players with permanent physical limitations that
affect their balance, mobility, or coordination, and players in hybrid doubles events
in tournaments. The rules that are not tournament-specific apply to all play, both
standard and tournament.

Special accommodation should be addressed for players with a vision impairment and/or color blindness.  Players with a visual impairment and/or color blindness are at a disadvantage when playing pickleball. Allowing a double bounce, a different ball color and/or a ball with a sound effect and/or parter communication before hitting a ball would help to level the playing field. To determine a player's vision impairment and/or color blindness documentation such as a prescription card from an ophthalmologists or optometrists would be presented by the player.

1. A player with vision impairment 20/70 or greater may opt to use a double bounce, a different ball color and/or a ball with a sound effect and/or parter communication before hitting a bal. This allows the player to focus on the ball by having the opportunity to choose options.

2. A player with color blindness would be able to choose a different color ball creating contrast with the court and the players surroundings. Bright high contrast colors like neon yellow or orange are easier to distinguish, reducing the chance of losing sight of the ball during play.