Atlanta, GA, August 20, 2025
News Summary
The Georgia Aquarium has partnered with ReBokeh Vision Technologies to launch an innovative mobile app that enhances accessibility for visually-impaired visitors. This free app offers features like customized filters, AI tools for contrast adjustments, and language translation, allowing approximately 90% of low-vision individuals to navigate exhibits independently. This initiative marks the aquarium as a leader in accessibility efforts among U.S. aquariums, exemplifying its commitment to inclusivity and engagement with marine life.
Atlanta, Georgia – The Georgia Aquarium has announced a partnership with ReBokeh Vision Technologies to improve accessibility for visually-impaired visitors through an innovative new mobile application. This groundbreaking initiative aims to assist individuals with low vision in independently experiencing the aquarium’s exhibits.
The newly introduced app, available for free, provides a range of features designed to enhance the visual experience. These include customized filters, artificial intelligence tools for contrast adjustment, zoom capabilities, color filters, and adjustments for lighting changes. Furthermore, the app can respond to user inquiries about visual stimuli and translate signage into the user’s preferred language, making it a versatile tool for enhancing accessibility.
With the launch of this app, the Georgia Aquarium becomes the first aquarium in the United States to utilize ReBokeh’s technology on-site for patrons. This technology is particularly beneficial for approximately 90% of individuals with low vision who possess some functional sight, allowing them to navigate the aquarium exhibits without relying solely on tactile or auditory descriptions.
The initiative reflects the Georgia Aquarium’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, providing opportunities for all guests to engage with aquatic life. Sam Herman, the Director of Guest Programs at the aquarium, expressed that the partnership’s goal is to “unlock the ocean for all.” The app is designed to automatically default to the language settings on users’ mobile devices, fostering an inclusive environment.
Rebecca Rosenberg, the founder of ReBokeh and someone with low vision herself, advocates for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of visual engagement with exhibits as a transformative experience for visitors.
The Georgia Aquarium has a long-standing history of promoting inclusivity. It has earned various recognitions, including a Certified Autism Center designation, making it the first aquarium worldwide to achieve this status. The aquarium was also acknowledged as KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year due to its ongoing training programs for staff to assist guests with autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, the aquarium holds a Gold Certification from WheelChariot for its accessibility practices.
Beyond the app, the aquarium provides a variety of accessibility features, such as wheelchairs and golf carts for guests, tactile and specialized exhibit information, and a designated sensory room. The aquarium’s programs are tailored to ensure that all visitors, regardless of their abilities, can participate and engage meaningfully with marine life.
The overarching aim of the Georgia Aquarium is to inspire awareness and preservation of marine ecosystems while ensuring that every visitor has a memorable experience, irrespective of their individual needs or abilities.
FAQ
What is the new mobile app introduced by the Georgia Aquarium?
The Georgia Aquarium has partnered with ReBokeh Vision Technologies to introduce a mobile app designed to assist visually-impaired visitors by enhancing their ability to view animals, signs, and menus throughout the aquarium.
What features does the mobile app offer?
Key features of the app include customized filters, AI tools for contrast adjustment, zoom capabilities, color filters, lighting changes, and the ability to answer questions and translate signage into the user’s preferred language.
How does this initiative enhance accessibility for visually-impaired visitors?
The app allows approximately 90% of low-vision individuals who can see some images to navigate and experience exhibits independently, reducing dependence on tactile or audio descriptions.
What other accessibility initiatives has the Georgia Aquarium undertaken?
The Georgia Aquarium has previously received a Certified Autism Center designation, a Gold Certification from WheelChariot, and offers features such as wheelchairs, golf carts, tactile information, and a sensory room to support guests with various needs.
What is the overall goal of the Georgia Aquarium regarding accessibility?
The Georgia Aquarium aims to inspire awareness and preservation of marine life while ensuring an inclusive and memorable experience for all visitors, regardless of their abilities.
Key Features Chart
| App Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Customized Filters | Allows users to adjust visual settings for better visibility. |
| AI Tools | Enhances contrast and adjusts visual stimuli for easy viewing. |
| Zoom Capabilities | Enables closer viewing of details in exhibits. |
| Color Filters | Optimizes color perception for better visibility. |
| Lighting Adjustments | Changes lighting settings to improve visibility. |
| Question Response | The app can answer user inquiries related to visual stimuli. |
| Language Translation | Translates signage into the user’s preferred language. |
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Atlanta News First
- Ability Magazine
- Business Wire
- Discover Atlanta
- Wikipedia: Accessibility in Disability
- Google Search: Georgia Aquarium accessibility
- Google Scholar: Georgia Aquarium accessibility
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Georgia Aquarium
- Google News: Georgia Aquarium accessibility
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
