Media release
Thursday, 29 October 2026
Australia’s leading advocacy group for people who are blind or vision impaired, Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) is warning the debate around banning smart glasses is putting people in danger.
“We’ve been increasingly concerned about the intense language concerning smart glasses ever since a ban was first suggested,” Deb Deshayes, BCA CEO said.
To people with blindness and vision impairment, smart glasses are a powerful assistive technology tool.
But, in their push to have the devices banned, some politicians have labelled them “covert surveillance” and “disturbing” devices. Media outlets regularly refer to smart glasses as “pervert glasses”.
“We’re getting reports from our members and the wider community that they no longer feel safe using smart glasses in public.
“This is a terrible outcome for people who are blind or vision impaired because smart glasses have enabled people to access so many different assistive technology platforms in a single wearable affordable device,” Ms Deshayes said.
Exacerbating the issue is ad hoc banning of smart glasses by councils at some of their facilities, setting up people who are blind or vision impaired to be confronted about their use.
“It doesn’t seem to matter if the person is with a dog guide or using a long cane, they are facing unfair harassment simply for wearing smart glasses.”
“We’re calling on all politicians and the media to consider the safety of people who are blind or vision impaired, tone down the rhetoric and stop putting a target on the community’s back,” Ms Deshayes said.
Want to know more about how people who are blind or vision impaired use smart glasses and what they think of the proposed ban? Here’s what they’re saying
Media contact details
Jess Hough
0457 266 144
jess.hough@bca.org.au
Acting Communications Coordinator
Blind Citizens Australia