This Blind Runner Ran a Half Marathon—with His Glasses Giving Him Directions
Emerging adaptive technology is helping expand access and independence for people who are blind or have low vision. Thomas Panek, CEO of Lighthouse Guild, completed the 2026 United Airlines NYC Half using AI-enabled glasses developed with Lighthouse Guild AI and Meta, demonstrating how tools designed with blind and low-vision leadership at the center can support navigation, orientation, and fuller participation in public life. Beyond the race itself, this work points to the broader potential of practical technologies that can help people move through the world with greater confidence and autonomy. The Blavatnik Family Foundation is a longtime supporter of Lighthouse Guild and Achilles International.