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PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers have become the first professional sports team to offer haptic display technology at every home game, providing blind and low vision fans a way to experience basketball through touch.
The technology, developed by Seattle-based startup OneCourt, translates live gameplay into trackable vibrations that fans can follow with their fingertips. The service is available at no additional cost at the Moda Center.
“Live sports should be an experience everyone can enjoy,” said Alli Stangel Tassin, vice president of events for the Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter. “OneCourt’s groundbreaking technology is helping more fans feel connected to the game they love.”
The team will make five devices available for the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA regular season on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can check out devices from Guest Services stands at three arena locations after making reservations via email.
RELATED: Portland Trail Blazers first NBA team to offer fans with vision loss a way to experience the game through vibrations
The system works by processing NBA live gameplay tracking data into intuitive vibrations on the haptic display’s surface. Early feedback has been positive, particularly from families.
“We attempted a game last summer and the frustration and heartache the whole family felt as we realized this might be our last live sporting event together was gut wrenching,” said Leigh Ramsey, parent of a OneCourt user. “This was amazing – inclusive, integrated, and not attention drawing.”
OneCourt, founded by University of Washington graduates, previously tested the technology with the Trail Blazers and at MLB All-Star Week. The company has received recognition including Microsoft’s AI for Accessibility Grant and won MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference’s startup competition.
“Many fans feel more empowered than ever before to join in on the action,” said Jerred Mace, founder and CEO of OneCourt. “This success highlights what’s possible when innovation meets inclusivity.”
The initiative is supported by Ticketmaster as part of broader efforts to make live events more accessible.
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