Seattle is known for innovation, community, and finding new ways to bring people together. That spirit was on full display this NFL season as the Seattle Seahawks tested new technology designed to make live football games more accessible for fans who are blind or have low vision.

During two home games this fall, the Seahawks partnered with a Seattle-based startup called OneCourt to pilot handheld devices that allow fans to follow the action through touch. Using subtle vibrations and tactile movement, the device lets users feel where the ball is on the field and how plays are unfolding, all in real time. The experience is paired with the team’s radio broadcast, so fans can listen to the play-by-play while tracking the game with their fingertips.

For many fans, attending a live sporting event can be challenging if the experience is built primarily around sight. This technology helps bridge that gap, creating a more inclusive atmosphere where everyone can share in the excitement of game day. One participant in the pilot shared that the device allowed him to enjoy the game alongside friends without feeling limited by his disability, something that made the experience especially meaningful.

The Seahawks tested the technology during games against the Arizona Cardinals in November and the Indianapolis Colts in December. Feedback from fans who used the devices was shared with both the team and the NFL, helping guide future accessibility efforts across the league.

OneCourt, founded in 2021, is part of a growing wave of companies focused on inclusive design. While football was the focus of the Seahawks pilot, the company has also created similar devices for baseball, basketball, and soccer. During the most recent NBA season, OneCourt worked with the league to support hundreds of fans across dozens of games, including a pilot with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The idea behind the company started with a simple observation. One of the founders noticed a blind soccer fan relying on a companion to move his hands across a tactile board to understand the game. That moment sparked the realization that technology could recreate that experience in a way that was scalable, independent, and empowering.

Beyond the innovation itself, what stands out is what this says about Seattle as a city. From tech startups to major sports franchises, there is a shared emphasis on accessibility, inclusion, and thoughtful design. These values extend well beyond the stadium. They influence how neighborhoods are planned, how public spaces are designed, and how communities grow.

For homeowners, buyers, and investors, this commitment to inclusive living matters. As more people look for homes and communities that support a wide range of lifestyles and abilities, cities that prioritize accessibility tend to stand out. Features like walkable neighborhoods, adaptable housing design, and access to community events all contribute to a higher quality of life.

As the Seahawks head toward the postseason with a strong record and championship aspirations, this pilot program serves as a reminder that success is not only measured by wins and losses. It is also reflected in how teams, businesses, and cities create spaces where everyone feels welcome.

Whether it is on the football field or in the neighborhoods we call home, progress often comes from paying attention to how people experience the world differently. In Seattle, that mindset continues to shape a community that values connection, innovation, and belonging.

This post was based on information found on Puget Sound Business Journal.