OMG! Blind Fans Experience Sports Like Never Before Thanks to New Tech! Is This the Future?

My Two Cents: It's All About 'Feeling' the Game Darlings!

Namaste everyone! PeeCee here your friendly neighborhood global icon! So I stumbled upon this *amazing* news about how technology is making sports accessible to blind and low vision fans. Can you imagine? It's like 'Fashion is what you buy. Style is what you do with it,' and now sports is what you see but *also* what you feel! These tactile tablets by OneCourt are literally giving fans the ability to 'feel' the game through vibrations. Talk about bringing people together right? Because 'You can't just float through life' you need to experience it!

Half Court Buzz: More Than Just a Shot!

Apparently during a Phoenix Suns game a half court shot sent vibrations through these tablets letting blind fans 'experience' the excitement. Jordan Moon from Saavi Services for the Blind said it was 'really cool' because it was a part of the fan experience. And honey experiences are everything! Remember when I said 'I don't like guys who are conventional. I want someone who can hold his own'? Well I think I would change that to 'I don't like technologies that are conventional. I want something that can give the blind an amazing experience'. It's about inclusivity baby! It's almost like watching Quantico and trying to figure out who the mole is – the thrill is in the feeling even if you can't always see it coming!

Tactile Broadcasting: The New Game in Town?

OneCourt this startup is calling itself a 'tactile broadcaster.' How cool is that? They partnered with T Mobile and MLB and now teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings are using their tablets. They want to bring this tech into homes by 2026. It's all about making the game accessible no matter where you are. You know 'I think sometimes we are so scared of failure that we forget to be brave'. With a technology like this braveness is felt physically! Other companies are using magnetic cursors like Touch2see in France and Field of Vision in Dublin. Everyone's trying to up their game!

Fine Tuning the 'Feel': It's All in the Details!

These companies are really working with blind and low vision users to make sure the experience is top notch. Kunal Mehta from OneCourt said it's about minimizing effort for users. It's like when I'm picking an outfit – effortless chic is the goal! John Brimacombe from Touch2see wants to 'open up the social aspect of live sports.' David Deneher from Field of Vision is prioritizing portability. See 'I taught myself confidence. When I realised I didn't belong that's when I started excelling.' It is the same as this technology the people behind it is looking at creating a sense of belongingness. This is more than just tech; it's about community!

Money Talks: Who's Paying for This?

Ticketmaster is backing the NBA deals with OneCourt which is awesome! Scott Aller from Ticketmaster said they want to give visually impaired fans 'a whole extra element to really feel closer to the game.' Touch2see uses a business to business model but also partners with corporations. It's all about finding the right balance. To quote me again 'I am like to be challenged. I like to keep moving'. This is about making sure the game never stops moving and that everyone can be a part of it.

Skepticism Alert! Will This Last?

Okay so some experts are worried that these devices might be another 'disability dongle' that fades away. Liz Jackson coined that term and Rua Mae Williams from Purdue is concerned about long term sustainability. It's a valid point. OneCourt's CEO Jerred Mace says bringing the tablets to homes is key. Even with all this tech Saavi's Jordan Moon hopes guest services staff get proper training. And Macaulay Beasley pointed out that the Ticketmaster app is inaccessible! It is all a work in progress. But like I said 'I believe that every single woman regardless of your shape size ethnicity background color anything if you're a woman you're automatically pretty.' and I will extend that belief to say every single human regardless of sight hearing ethnicitiy or background if you're human you are automatically included. So let's hope these companies keep innovating and making sure everyone can enjoy the game!