Enhancing Sports Accessibility: The Rise of Tactile Tablets for Visually Impaired Fans
The integration of technology in live sports has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of tactile tablets designed specifically for blind and low-vision individuals. At a recent NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the experience of fans with visual impairments was transformed through the use of innovative devices produced by OneCourt, a Seattle-based startup.
Game Day Experience Redefined
During a thrilling moment at the March 2 game, a player successfully made a half-court shot, generating excitement in the crowd. For Jordan Moon, who is blind and the director of Saavi Services for the Blind in Phoenix, such experiences were once inaccessible. However, with OneCourt’s tactile tablets, he was able to feel the game’s dynamics through vibrating feedback that indicated the ball’s movements and scoring events, allowing him to share in the excitement alongside fellow fans.
“That was really cool, actually, because that was just something that wasn’t even a part of the game. It was just a part of the fan experience,” Moon stated, highlighting the profound impact of accessible technology in the sports arena.
The Technology Behind Tactile Tablets
Tactile tablets have emerged as a prominent tool in enhancing the live sports experience for individuals with visual impairments. These devices function analogously to miniature models of the sports arena, utilizing vibrations to signal where the ball is located, along with information on scoring attempts and fouls. Additional audio features can relay critical updates such as the current score and time remaining in the game.
OneCourt has established itself as a leader in the field, recently expanding its presence through partnerships with key organizations in professional sports, including Major League Baseball (MLB). Their breakthrough came in mid-2024 with the deployment of tablets at the MLB All-Star Game.
In a progressive move, the Portland Trail Blazers became the first team to equip all home games with OneCourt tablets, followed by the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns.
Collaboration and User Experience
The development of these devices has involved frequent interaction with blind and low-vision individuals to maximize accessibility and user satisfaction. Kunal Mehta, a user experience designer at OneCourt, emphasized the importance of reducing barriers for users and making the devices as user-friendly as possible. “Speaking with users in an environment where they are comfortable to share what they feel like and not necessarily what we want to hear, that’s definitely been an important piece,” he explained.
To enhance the social aspect of attending live events, these devices are designed to work throughout the stadium, allowing users to enjoy the game alongside friends and family. Other tech firms in this arena, such as Touch2see and Field of Vision, are also making strides in this area, providing similar tactile experiences in soccer and rugby venues worldwide.
Funding and Financial Viability
Current operations involving the tactile tablets rely largely on sponsorships and financial agreements. Notably, Ticketmaster has played a significant role in backing OneCourt’s initiatives in the NBA, facilitating the deployment of devices in participating venues through its social impact funding.
Ticketmaster’s Scott Aller commented on the profound implications of these devices, stating, “We’ve realized there is a very large coalition of visually impaired fans that have been attending events historically. Now they have a whole extra element to really feel closer to the game.”
User Reception and Feedback
The responses from users who have trialed these devices have generally been positive, though improvement areas remain. For instance, Macaulay Beasley, who also attended the Suns game, expressed his initial skepticism but later shared that using the tablet allowed him to feel more engaged: “It felt like I was watching the game again, because I used to have vision.”
While the audio commentary feature provided context, users such as Moon and Beasley expressed a desire for a direct connection to live radio broadcasts to fill in additional details, particularly identifying players and gameplay strategies.
The Future of Sports Accessibility Technology
The world of assistive technology for sports is still in its infancy, but there are concerns regarding sustainability. Experts point to the risk of such devices becoming temporary solutions rather than long-term fixtures in live sports accessibility. Liz Jackson and others have echoed this sentiment, urging for a focus on longevity and consistent support for users reliant on these technologies.
OneCourt aims to expand its reach by introducing devices for home use by 2026, which it sees as a vital step to ensure longevity and continued value for fans. “At the end of the day, OneCourt only exists if we continue to drive value for our fans,” Mace stated.
While significant progress has been made in making sports events more accessible to blind and low-vision attendees, several challenges remain. From the need for improved guest services training to enhanced accessibility within ticketing platforms, stakeholders are committing to ensuring all fans can fully enjoy the live sports experience.