AI smart glasses for visually impaired athletes: Techno-solutionism masks systemic barriers to inclusive sports infrastructure

Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems offer holistic approaches to adaptive sports, such as the Māori concept of *manaakitanga* (care and support) in inclusive athletic spaces. These systems prioritize communal participation over individual techno-solutions, but are systematically excluded from mainstream narratives about disability and technology. Indigenous athletes in the Pacific Islands, for example, have used natural environments for adaptive training long before AI interventions.

The Paralympic Games originated in 1948 as a rehabilitation event for WWII veterans, evolving into a global movement that still struggles with commercialization and exclusion of non-athlete disabilities. The 1980s saw the rise of adaptive sports in the U.S. through grassroots organizations like the National Wheelchair Athletic Association, which predated corporate tech interventions. However, the historical erasure of disabled athletes of color and women in these narratives persists in modern coverage.

Cross-culturally, disability is often framed within communal care networks rather than individual accommodation, as seen in the *Ubuntu* philosophy in Southern Africa or the *Sama Sama* (mutual aid) traditions in Southeast Asia. In India, the *Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan* (Accessible India Campaign) has pushed for systemic infrastructure changes, contrasting with the tech-first approach in Western contexts. These models emphasize policy and cultural shifts over gadget-based solutions.

Scientific literature on AI for visual impairment highlights significant limitations, including latency in real-time processing and the lack of user-centered design in many prototypes. Studies show that assistive tech adoption is hindered by high costs, maintenance barriers, and the lack of integration with existing mobility aids. Research also indicates that social inclusion and peer support are more critical for long-term participation than standalone technological interventions.

Artistic and spiritual traditions often reframe disability as a source of unique perception, such as the concept of *third eye* vision in Hindu and Buddhist thought, which transcends literal sight. Indigenous storytelling, like the Māori *pūrākau* (legends), frequently features blind seers or guides who perceive truths inaccessible to the sighted. These perspectives challenge the Western obsession with 'fixing' disability through technology, instead celebrating adaptive ways of being.

Future scenarios must prioritize universal design in sports infrastructure, such as tactile marathon routes and audio cues, over proprietary tech solutions. Policy pathways should include mandatory accessibility standards for major sporting events, funded by progressive taxation on tech giants profiting from disability markets. Scenario planning must also account for the digital divide, ensuring that AI solutions do not exacerbate inequalities among disabled athletes.

Marginalized disabled athletes—particularly Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals—face compounded barriers in sports, from racial bias in coaching to lack of gender-affirming adaptive gear. Global South athletes often lack access to cutting-edge tech due to cost and import restrictions, yet their innovations in low-tech adaptive sports go unrecognized. The erasure of these voices in tech-centric narratives reinforces colonial hierarchies in disability advocacy.