Protect Assistive Technology: Do Not Ban Smart Glasses for the Vision Impaired

Smart glasses—like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses—are frequently discussed in the media regarding privacy concerns, leading some venues and public spaces to consider blanket bans. However, for blind and vision-impaired individuals, these glasses are far more than a gadget: they are essential accessibility tools.

My Personal Testimonial: As someone living with a vision impairment, smart glasses have made an extraordinary difference to my daily life and independence. Using built-in visual assistance and screen-reading technology, these glasses allow me to navigate spaces, read physical documents, identify surroundings, and move through the world with confidence and dignity—completely hands-free.

When businesses and public venues propose blanket bans on smart glasses, they inadvertently strip away the tools that allow disabled individuals to participate equally in society. Treating vital assistive technology as a security threat isolates people who rely on it every day.

What We Are Asking For:

Exemptions for Assistive Use: We call on business owners, public transport operators, and venue managers to ensure that any policies regarding smart devices explicitly exempt individuals using them as assistive technology.
Awareness & Education: We urge accessibility commissions and policy makers to issue clear guidance recognizing smart glasses as legitimate accessibility aids.
Protection of Independence: No one should be forced to choose between entering a public venue and losing their sight assistance.
Please sign and share this petition to ensure accessibility keeps pace with technology!