Attributable to Chris Edwards, Vision Australia Chief Mission Officer
Vision Australia is concerned by the announcement by Victorian government banning the use of smart glasses in schools across the state in 2027.
Smart glasses have shown to be an important piece of assistive technology for people who are blind or have low vision, supporting their ability to access information and navigate independently.
Students who are blind or have low vision have the right to learn and play alongside their peers and governments should not be limiting that by restricting the use of assistive technologies in the classroom.
The Minister for Education has stated that smart glasses will be permitted “when no other suitable adjustment can be provided.” This does not address the needs of students who are blind or have low vision. It creates unnecessary hurdles for students and their families to navigate, rather than schools working collaboratively with families to find solutions that lead to positive education outcomes for students.
Vision Australia also questions what this ban means for the use of specialist blindness and low vision wearable technologies in classrooms that have been on the market for a significant period and perform similar functions to mainstream smart glasses.
Vision Australia is extremely disappointed that the government has made this announcement without consultation with the disability community and thorough consideration of the impact it will have on students with disability.
