A revolutionary startup called OneCourt has transformed how blind and low vision basketball fans experience games by introducing free to rent haptic feedback devices at Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers games that allow users to watch the action through their fingers using unique buzzing patterns. The tablet sized devices relay real time data that tracks team possession and follows the ball’s movement across the court through tactile sensations, creating an entirely new way for visually impaired fans to engage with live sports in a way that was previously impossible. Blind TikTok creator Ferraro tried the device at a Trail Blazers game and couldn’t contain his joy, grinning ear to ear as he declared that every team in every league should adapt this technology because he couldn’t explain how life changing it is as a blind spectator. OneCourt founder and CEO Jerred Mace emphasized that the company believes sports are for everyone and has created an intuitive tactile broadcast that makes sports more enjoyable for fans of any age, background or visual ability without requiring any special training to use.
The breakthrough technology represents just one of several major accessibility advances in sports during 2025, as stadiums and leagues across the country have worked to make athletic events more inclusive for fans with various disabilities and needs. The Philadelphia Eagles debuted a mobile sensory friendly unit at Lincoln Financial Field with plush bean bags, soft lighting and touchable wall art that provides a quiet calm space for individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and extreme anxiety who may become overwhelmed by stadium noise and stimulation. The Stanley Cup Final made history by airing on television in American Sign Language for the first time ever, with deaf ESPN broadcasters Jason Altmann and Noah Blankenship delivering live commentary that left hockey fan Jerry Trayner signing about how fascinating and happy the broadcast made him feel. These innovations demonstrate that when sports organizations prioritize accessibility and inclusion, they create opportunities for millions of fans who previously couldn’t fully enjoy the games they love, proving that with creativity and commitment, the world of sports truly can be for everyone.
Source: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/new-sports-technology-accessibility
