What Blind Citizens Australia members are saying about smart glasses

Note: in order to remove identifying information, some comments have been edited.

How smart glasses are being used

“Rather than continually retrieving my phone, navigating applications, reading small text or trying to remember complicated instructions, I can access information through a more immediate, hands-free interface.

The camera and AI capabilities can assist with identifying objects, reading product labels, interpreting written information and explaining things I may otherwise struggle to understand.

This is particularly relevant to my circumstances because my visual difficulties and cognitive impairment frequently overlap.”

A member explaining how their daughter is using smart glasses:

“By using maps on her iPhone, we can find a toilet, a gelati shop, the cinema, and the directions can be heard through the glasses. This is one of the best features of the glasses. Without this guidance my daughter would have to ask complete strangers where to find things, which worries me as a mother that she might just ask the wrong person for help.

Finally, she uses the glasses to read menus, read labels and read signs. It is just an incredible technology that provides independence she would not normally have.”

“These glasses and the …[other assistive technology device]… unit have given me a genuine reason to be active in the community and has allowed me some sense of peace, confidence and most importantly independence. I travel on buses, trains, planes and walk with confidence.

My dog keeps the safety aspect perfectly safe, the glasses I use to go shopping, they read everything, they read the menu, they describe my surroundings when asked.”

Benefits of smart glasses

“The technology can help reduce the mental effort involved in obtaining information and provide an additional level of confidence when managing everyday activities.”

“For me, these glasses are not a fashion accessory, entertainment device or novelty. They are a practical tool that complements my prescription lenses, iPhone, iPad and other technologies.”

“The combination of protective eyewear and hands-free access to information is especially useful in my circumstances.”

“Without these I would be totally reliant on people to help. I am a very independent person and to take away my means of independent travel and movement would be discriminatory.”

For me, independence means much more than simply being able to complete everyday tasks.

It means retaining my dignity, making my own decisions, remaining connected with the community and continuing to enjoy the activities that give my life meaning.

Impact of and thoughts on the proposed ban

“This …has put a target on the backs of anyone wearing these glasses, let alone wearing thick rimmed glasses. I experience, on a daily basis, abuse, bullying and aggressive behaviour just walking my guide dog.”

“People living with disability should not automatically be treated with suspicion or excluded from public facilities simply because they are wearing assistive technology.”

“Why pick on the glasses? The iPhones have cameras, CCTV’s another camera, facial recognition, imported EVs, are they banning them?”

“There is an enormous range of miniature and covert recording equipment readily available for purchase on the internet.

These include cameras concealed within pens, buttons, everyday accessories and other small objects, many of which are specifically designed to be difficult to detect.

By comparison, smart glasses are generally recognisable as wearable technology, and many models incorporate visible recording indicators.

It therefore seems somewhat illogical to single out smart glasses for blanket restrictions when numerous other devices can perform similar recording functions, sometimes much more discreetly.

I am certainly not suggesting that privacy concerns should be ignored or that inappropriate recording should be permitted.

Rather, I believe regulations should focus on the behaviour and misuse of recording technology, rather than automatically prohibiting one particular type of device.”

Do you have something to add? Please email your thoughts to bca@bca.org.au