TL;DR: Seahawks and OneCourt Revolutionize Accessibility in Sports
In 2026, the Seattle Seahawks piloted an innovative tactile device from startup OneCourt, designed to provide blind and low-vision fans with a way to physically "feel" the game using haptic feedback and synchronized audio commentary. This breakthrough demonstrates how accessible tech can redefine fan engagement while offering lessons in inclusive product design.
• Converts live game data into vibrations for tracing action by touch.
• Audio syncs with minimal delay for immersive experience.
• Offers independence and enhanced enjoyment for users like vision-impaired fan Clark Roberts.
For entrepreneurs, focusing on accessibility can unlock untapped markets, boost innovation, and enhance brand equity. Learn how startups can apply inclusive thinking via this Seattle startup guide.
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Seahawks Pilot Accessibility Tech: A Game-Changer for Vision-Impaired Sports Fans
When we think of sports stadiums, the image that often comes to mind is packed arenas, roaring crowds, and fans glued to the live action. But what about those who cannot see the game at all? In 2026, the Seattle Seahawks challenged this limitation by piloting a tactile device, developed by the Seattle startup OneCourt, to allow blind and low-vision fans to “feel” the game. This device is redefining accessibility in sports, and there’s more we entrepreneurs can learn from this groundbreaking initiative.
What Is OneCourt’s Tactile Device and How Does It Work?
The physical description of the device might not scream innovation, it resembles a laptop. But what makes it unique is the fusion of haptic feedback and synchronous generative audio, transforming live gameplay into data that users can track with their fingertips. Blind and low-vision fans don’t just hear the game; they experience it physically.
- The device converts live football game data into vibrations, allowing users to trace the ball’s movements through touch.
- An integrated audio system syncs with the team’s radio broadcast to deliver real-time commentary with minimal delay.
- Tested at Lumen Field during games, including a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in December 2025.
For fans like Clark Roberts, who participated in the pilot, the device offered independence and enjoyment: “I felt closer to the game atmosphere than ever. Finally, I don’t need someone to explain every detail to me!”
Why Should Entrepreneurs Pay Attention to This Technology?
As a serial entrepreneur, I see beyond the fan experience, this innovation offers lessons for anyone building products grounded in inclusivity and social good. Here’s what we can learn:
- Design With Accessibility First: The Seahawks and OneCourt addressed an audience that most product teams ignore. Think about untapped segments in your own industry.
- Innovate Using Existing Technologies: Using haptics and audio within sports wasn’t new, but integrating them creatively was. Efficiency doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel.
- Leverage Local Resources: OneCourt originated as a University of Washington project. Collaborating with students, universities, or local incubators could be your superpower.
- User Feedback During Trials: A pilot program allowed diverse user input, which fine-tuned the device. Adopt continuous improvement based on real-world feedback.
For founders building hardware or consumer-facing apps, these principles can transform product strategy while contributing to societal progress.
Why Accessibility Matters in Business Strategy
Accessibility isn’t niche, it’s a market imperative. In the U.S. alone, nearly 61 million adults live with a disability. Brands that ignore inclusivity risk alienating large swathes of potential consumers. Even large tech companies have elevated inclusive design as a value-driven pillar of success.
- Revenue Growth: Businesses invested in accessibility often see improved customer acquisition and loyalty.
- Brand Perception: Accessibility-focused brands position themselves as socially responsible innovators.
- Competitive Advantage: Differentiating through social impact is becoming a winning strategy.
There’s also inspiration to take from the NFL’s commitment to inclusion. If CEOs like Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president of diversity and inclusion, actively push accessibility initiatives, why wouldn’t startup founders follow suit?
How Can You Apply This Idea to Your Own Venture?
To integrate accessibility into your product or service, you need to prioritize inclusive thinking during the earliest stages of development. Here’s a quick how-to guide for startup founders:
- Start With Empathy: Engage directly with underserved user groups. Blind fans tested OneCourt’s device before public rollout.
- Keep Iterating: Early feedback from people with disabilities will help tailor solutions to real needs, not assumed preferences.
- Research Funding Programs: Accessibility often qualifies for special grants such as research-based aid or national tech funding.
- Partner Strategically: Collaborate with organizations and institutions that share your values. Universities are underrated innovation hubs.
- Frame Accessibility as Innovation: Instead of marketing it as ‘help,’ highlight how inclusivity creates better outcomes for every user applicable to your product.
Remember, accessibility shouldn’t feel like an extra feature, it should be just as integral as aesthetics or functionality.
What Mistakes Should Founders Avoid?
FAQ About Seahawks’ Tactile Device for Vision-Impaired Fans
What is the Seahawks’ tactile device initiative?
The Seattle Seahawks tested a revolutionary tactile device developed by startup OneCourt to enhance live sports for blind and low-vision fans. Utilizing haptic feedback and synchronized audio, the device allows fans to "feel" live game action through vibrations and provides real-time commentary with minimal delay. The pilot demonstrated the NFL's commitment to inclusivity and innovation. Read more about the Seahawks' accessibility pilot
How does the OneCourt device work?
The OneCourt device combines haptic vibrations and generative audio to translate live football gameplay into tactile experiences, enabling users to track the ball and action with their fingertips. Complemented by real-time radio commentary, it bridges the accessibility gap for visually disabled fans. Explore OneCourt's groundbreaking tactile broadcast
Who developed the device, and what inspired this innovation?
OneCourt, a Seattle-based startup founded by University of Washington graduates, created this tactile technology. Their goal was to make live sports more accessible for disabled fans. The device reflects an increasing tech trend to blend inclusivity with innovation. Discover Seattle’s tech ecosystem for startups
Why is this technology important for live sports?
Enhancing accessibility in sports unlocks fan engagement for millions of visually impaired individuals. This innovation by the Seahawks and the NFL not only provides inclusivity but also sets a precedent for using technology to better the fan experience for all abilities. Learn about inclusivity in tech-forward startups
What feedback did testers like Clark Roberts provide?
For individuals like Clark Roberts who tested the device, it was life-changing because it offered an independent way to experience live sports. He remarked feeling closer to the electrifying stadium atmosphere without relying on external explanations.
Are there lessons startups can learn from OneCourt?
OneCourt’s success highlights the importance of designing with accessibility in mind, leveraging existing technologies creatively, and gathering feedback through real-world trials. These principles can be applied broadly across industries for future entrepreneurs. Explore startup strategies for innovation
How does accessibility align with business strategy?
Improving accessibility demonstrates social responsibility while driving brand loyalty and consumer retention. Businesses that adopt inclusivity in their designs can achieve a competitive advantage and foster impactful growth. Build an inclusive product development roadmap
Where else has the tactile device been implemented?
Besides the NFL, the Portland Trail Blazers became the first team to offer OneCourt devices for every home NBA game. This underscores growing recognition of accessibility enhancing live sports and fan communities worldwide.
How can founders integrate accessibility into their products?
Founders should engage underrepresented audience groups during development, create prototypes for feedback, and collaborate with institutions like local universities or innovation labs. Accessibility improves product experiences universally. Get actionable startup tips
What’s next for sports accessibility technologies?
With the success of the Seahawks’ pilot, similar devices are expected to expand league-wide across NFL and other sports platforms. This signals a growing commitment to inclusivity, sparking advancements in accessible technologies.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.