RACHEL GROSSMAN-KAHN
INCLUSIVE UX DESIGNER
AT&T 5G Football Helmet and App
A revolutionary device designed to empower d/Deaf and hard of hearing athletes in American Football.
Client: AT&T and Mayda Entertainment
Role: Accessibility Specialist and UX Designer
Awards: The One Show- Gold Pencils in Innovation/Execution in IP
Product Design and Promotional Integrated Digital and Physical Product
TLDR
The lack of real-time communication on the field has long disadvantaged d/Deaf and hard of hearing athletes. In partnership with AT&T and Mayda Entertainment, I contributed design deliverables and accessibility insights to a groundbreaking solution: a 5G-enabled football helmet with a built-in display and corresponding app, allowing coaches to send plays directly to the quarterback during the game. The debut at Gallaudet University led to a game-winning touchdown—and national headlines.This wasn’t just about tech innovation; it was about equity. Seeing my app interface design come to life—with WCAG grounded UI—was a powerful reminder of how thoughtful, human-centered design can transform access and level the playing field for all athletes.
THE DESIGN CHALLENGE
For football players, clear communication is needed between the coach and quarterback during the game. However for D/deaf/HOH athletes, they can not communicate in real time unless sight-lines are established to enable communication in American Sign Language. This is difficult if not impossible while running down the field and engaged in the game. In the NCAA, Deaf football team The Bisons at Gallaudet University have an uneven playing field against hearing teams due to this lack of communication.
THE SOLUTION
We used 5G technology and augmented reality to solve the design question: How can we use design and technology to enhance communication between coaching staff and players during a game? The solution? A next-generation football helmet equipped with a screen with a companion app for the coach to send play information to the quarterback in real time during the game.
THE PROCESS
I was recruited onto the project for my unique intersection of skills as a UX designer and former professional sign language interpreter. With a background studying ASL at Gallaudet University, I had first-hand understanding of Deaf culture and the specific communication challenges D/deaf athletes face—especially in high-speed, visually dynamic environments like football.
At the time I joined, the team had completed initial user research and developed an early interface prototype for the coach’s app. My role was to evaluate it for accessibility and redesign the interface and helmet screen to better meet real-world conditions and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
During my audit, several usability and accessibility issues stood out:
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Low contrast text (1.57:1) made reading difficult, especially in bright outdoor settings.
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Tight button spacing and lack of padding made touch targets hard to hit accurately.
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No clear visual hierarchy made the UI hard to scan—especially for coaches who needed to act fast and communicate mid-game.
I approached the redesign with two priorities: quick, glanceable interaction and inclusive communication. I reorganized the interface by chunking tasks visually—adding quick-access buttons at the top, key communication screens in the middle, and detailed play information at the bottom. I also introduced icon-labeled buttons to support users who use ASL as a first language. For better usability, buttons included filled outlines and checkmarks to indicate selection with more than just color, supporting colorblind users.
For the helmet’s semi-circular AR screen, I conducted research into wearable tech (like Google Glass) and thought deeply about what would be legible over the visual noise of a football field. My recommendation was simple but high-impact: bold white text, optimized for contrast and legibility at a glance.
This project challenged me to blend accessibility principles with real-time performance needs. It was rewarding to help ensure that every design decision supported function and form.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
THE FINAL PRODUCT
On October 7, 2023, Gallaudet University debuted the AR football helmet with special permission from the NCAA. Quarterback Brandon Washington wore the helmet during a live game and scored the game-winning touchdown. The debut generated national media attention, with coverage from ESPN, CNN, Fox Sports, and Good Morning America. As Gallaudet’s Athletic Director, Warren Keller, put it: "I believe in a few years everyone from the NCAA to NFL will be using this technology."
When I saw the final product on the field, it was incredibly meaningful to see many of my accessibility recommendations come to life—like the high-contrast white text on the helmet display, redesigned buttons with stronger states and visual clarity, and an improved interface layout. These weren’t just design details; they supported a Deaf athlete’s ability to communicate in real time and compete without compromise.
Reflecting on the experience, I felt deeply grateful to work on a project where my two professional worlds—UX design and sign language interpreting—came together in such a powerful way. This project reinforced why inclusive design matters: it gives people the tools to fully participate, thrive, and lead in spaces that once excluded them.
