Seahawks Test OneCourt Device for Vision-Impaired Fans
3 min read
The Seattle Seahawks are helping make live football more accessible by testing an innovative tactile device developed by Seattle startup OneCourt, giving blind and low-vision fans a new way to experience the action on the field.
The trial is part of an NFL pilot program focused on improving accessibility inside stadiums. Alongside the Seahawks, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons also participated in the initiative during the season.
A New Way to Experience Live Football
OneCourt has created a laptop-sized device that combines haptic feedback and generative audio to translate live football plays into vibrations that users can feel with their fingertips.
As the game unfolds, the device provides real-time tactile feedback that mirrors the movement of the ball across the field. Fans also listen to the team’s live radio broadcast, which is synchronized with the device with little to no noticeable delay, creating a more immersive experience.
The technology allows blind and visually impaired fans to better understand the flow of the game without relying solely on audio commentary.
Seahawks Fans Tested the Technology
The Seahawks introduced the devices during several home games at Lumen Field, including the matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on December 14.
Fans who participated in the pilot shared feedback with both the Seahawks and the NFL regarding the device’s performance, usability, and overall experience.
The league will use those insights to help shape future stadium accessibility strategies and evaluate how similar technology can be introduced across more NFL venues.
NFL Highlights the Importance of Accessibility
The league says initiatives like the OneCourt pilot are designed to make live sporting events more inclusive for all fans.
Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, said football is at its best when everyone has the opportunity to be part of the experience.
He noted that the OneCourt pilot demonstrated how innovative technology can help fans who are blind or have low vision feel more connected to the excitement of live games, adding that the response from participants was overwhelmingly positive.
Built by University of Washington Graduates
OneCourt was co-founded by a team of University of Washington graduates, led by CEO Jerred Mace.
The Seattle startup has been working to improve sports accessibility through tactile technology that enables visually impaired fans to independently follow live games.
Before partnering with the NFL, OneCourt reached another major milestone when the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers became the first professional sports franchise to provide OneCourt devices at every home game, expanding access for blind and low-vision basketball fans.
Expanding Accessibility Through Technology
The Seahawks’ participation in the NFL’s pilot program represents another important step toward making live sporting events more inclusive.
As professional sports organizations continue exploring new accessibility solutions, technologies like OneCourt could become a standard feature in stadiums, allowing more fans to experience the excitement of live competition in ways that were previously unavailable.
With encouraging feedback from the NFL trial, OneCourt is positioning itself as a leader in accessible sports technology, using innovation to ensure that every fan can feel closer to the game.
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