In a recent groundbreaking initiative, the Phoenix Suns partnered with OneCourt, a Seattle-based startup, to enhance the game-day experience for blind and low-vision fans. During a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 2, players like Jordan Moon engaged with tactile tablets that vibrated in response to live game action, revolutionizing how visually impaired spectators can follow sports. As accessible technology continues to grow in the world of professional sports, the mission remains to ensure that every fan, regardless of their abilities, can feel the excitement and energy of live events.
| Article Subheadings |
|---|
| 1) The technological landscape of accessible sports |
| 2) Fine-tuning the experience for fans with disabilities |
| 3) Understanding the financial model behind accessibility |
| 4) Real feedback from users of accessibility technologies |
| 5) Addressing skepticism and future prospects |
The technological landscape of accessible sports
Tactile tablets have emerged as one of the most innovative solutions aimed at improving accessibility for blind and low-vision fans during live sporting events. These tablets function similarly to miniature representations of sports fields, allowing users to perceive the game through vibrations that indicate ball movement, scoring attempts, and fouls. The technology aims to bridge the gap between visually impaired spectators and the exhilarating dynamics of live games.
OneCourt, founded in 2021, is leading the charge in this technological space. The startup gained prominence in mid-2024 when it partnered with T-Mobile and Major League Baseball (MLB) to provide tactile tablets during the MLB All-Star Game. The Portland Trail Blazers were the first professional sports team to deploy these devices for all their home games, a move followed closely by teams such as the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns.
Jerred Mace, CEO of OneCourt, emphasizes that their devices serve not only as tools for accessibility but also as a means to enhance the fan experience and engender inclusivity. By 2026, OneCourt plans to further expand its reach by introducing devices that can be used at home, thereby broadening the accessible sports experience to those unable to attend live games.
Other companies, including Touch2see based in France and Dublin’s Field of Vision, are also innovating in this field by creating similar devices. They employ technology that utilizes magnetic cursors to track the ball, while also enhancing user engagement through audio commentary and tactile feedback.
Fine-tuning the experience for fans with disabilities
The development of tactile tablets has required extensive collaboration between tech companies and blind and low-vision individuals. Feedback from users has proven invaluable in refining product designs to ensure they meet the specific needs of the target audience. As the designer of OneCourt’s user experience, Kunal Mehta emphasizes the importance of creating a device that minimizes user effort and enhances accessibility.
“It’s critical to develop an experience that feels as normal as possible for users,” Mehta said, highlighting their commitment to ensuring that fans can sit alongside friends and family while enjoying the game. Initiatives go beyond product design; they aim to foster social inclusion by allowing visually impaired fans to share the excitement of sports with their peers.
Another crucial aspect of success in this domain is the rapid data transmission to these devices, which is essential for keeping pace with the fast nature of live sports. OneCourt has developed a connection to the NBA’s real-time game data, allowing users to instantly feel the action as it unfolds. Other alternatives utilize on-site cameras to ensure real-time feedback is communicated efficiently.
Understanding the financial model behind accessibility
The current financial framework for deploying these devices at sporting events is predominantly reliant on a mix of sponsorships and partnerships. For example, Live Nation-owned Ticketmaster collaborated with OneCourt to provide tablets at no charge in several NBA venues, funded through its social impact initiatives. This kind of support ensures that teams can offer these devices without imposing a financial burden on fans.
Scott Aller, a senior client development director for the NBA at Ticketmaster, has stated that such partnerships allow visually impaired fans to enjoy a richer experience, thereby aligning with the company’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Meanwhile, Touch2see works primarily on a business-to-business model where either sports teams or leagues cover the costs. They also explore partnerships for special events, further expanding the reach of tactile technologies.
Real feedback from users of accessibility technologies
The first-hand experiences of users have been instrumental in shaping the development and deployment of these innovative devices. At a recent game between the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves, Jordan Moon and fellow Saavi Services member Macaulay Beasley engaged with OneCourt’s tablets. Initially skeptical, Beasley reported being pleasantly surprised at how engaged he felt while using the device, stating, “It felt like I was watching the game again.”
Customers have noted that while the auto-generated audio commentary provides essential information, a stronger connection to traditional radio broadcasts would enhance their understanding of specific plays or player actions. As Moon observed, “The radio provides context, but OneCourt gives it color,” highlighting the complementarity between the two forms of information delivery.
Beyond these testimonials, individuals such as Daniele Cassioli, a blind Paralympic athlete, have also provided feedback from their experiences. Cassioli remarked that while the technology had improved accessibility since his early sports experiences, he still hopes for further innovations to promote user interactivity and ease of use.
Addressing skepticism and future prospects
Despite the promising advancements in accessible sports technology, there remains skepticism about the long-term sustainability of such innovations. Critics like Liz Jackson, a disabled scholar, point to a troubling trend known as the “disability dongle” phenomenon, where well-intentioned technologies no longer receive support or fade into obscurity. Accessibility experts highlight that for lasting change to occur, developers must prioritize long-term sustainability as disabled populations become reliant on these technologies.
While OneCourt’s Mace believes in the continued evolution of their products to ensure lasting engagement, critics emphasize that many existing partnerships only entail short-term commitments, raising concerns about what happens to these devices after the current seasons conclude. Although teams express a desire to continue enhancing the fan experience, significant obstacles remain that prevent blind and low-vision fans from fully enjoying live events.
Feedback from users often indicates that while the devices help, challenges in accessibility exist beyond the technology. By focusing on training guest services staff to assist visually impaired attendees and addressing issues such as inaccessible ticketing applications, sports organizations can create a more inclusive environment for all fans.
| No. | Key Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Phoenix Suns have partnered with OneCourt to enhance the game experience for blind and low-vision fans using tactile tablets. |
| 2 | Tactile tablets function as miniature representations of sports fields, providing feedback through vibrations to indicate game actions. |
| 3 | Financial sustainability for these devices comes from sponsorships and partnerships, enabling teams to offer them free of charge to users. |
| 4 | User feedback indicates ongoing improvements and the need for better integration with traditional game commentary formats. |
| 5 | Skepticism remains about the long-term viability of accessibility technologies, emphasizing the need for clear plans of sustainability. |
Summary
The collaboration between the Phoenix Suns and OneCourt marks a significant step towards building an inclusive environment for all sports fans. These advancements in tactile technology aim not only to provide accessible experiences but also enrich the connection between fans and the games they love. By continuing to address feedback from users and examining the financial models behind these innovations, sports organizations can make strides to ensure that the excitement of live events is felt by everyone, regardless of their physical abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What are tactile tablets, and how do they work at sporting events?
Tactile tablets are specialized devices designed to assist blind and low-vision fans by indicating real-time game actions through vibrations. They simulate the layout of sports fields, allowing users to perceive the movement of the ball and other on-field activities.
Question: How are these technologies funded at sporting events?
Funding for tactile tablets at sporting events typically comes from a combination of sponsorships and partnerships, allowing teams to offer the devices at no cost to their users while enhancing their inclusivity initiatives.
Question: What improvements are suggested by users of these devices?
Users have suggested that while tactile tablets provide valuable information, they would benefit from better integration with traditional audio commentary to fill in contextual gaps that enhance their understanding of the game.
