USABA and Google Pixel Extend Partnership for 2025 Ambassador Program

USABA and Google Pixel Extend Partnership for 2025 Ambassador Program

Colorado Springs, Colo. (April 29, 2025) – The U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) is excited to announce the renewal of its partnership with Google Pixel for the second year, continuing to drive accessibility and inclusion in blind sports through the 2025 USABA Sport Ambassador Program. Google Pixel devices represent the next wave of accessible technology, and we are excited to play a part of the accessibility evolution.

The USABA Sport Ambassador Program, presented by Google Pixel, features 12 standout ambassadors and athletes who will serve as advocates for adaptive sports, support fundraising initiatives, and engage in outreach to amplify awareness. These ambassadors, representing sports such as goalball, blind soccer, and track and field, were selected through a competitive application process to lead efforts in increasing visibility and participation in blind sports.

“Google Pixel’s partnership with the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes is a milestone in the growth and evolution of blind sports in the Paralympic movement,” said USABA Sport Ambassador Tyler Merren, PLY. “It is the recognition that being a disabled athlete does not make you any less, just different. We are showing that difference can also amount to greatness. I think the value that each organization brings to one another is a true partnership, and I am thankful to be a part of this collaboration.”

This year’s roster includes:

• Noah Beckman (Columbus, OH) – Blind soccer national team athlete and community leader.
• Ricky Castaneda (Fort Worth, TX) – Blind Soccer Men’s National Team athlete and mentor for visually impaired youth.
• Charles Catherine (New York, NY) – Captain of the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team.
• Mindy Cook (Columbus, OH) – Paralympian (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), Paralympic silver medalist (Tokyo 2020) in goalball.
• Erika Deetjen (Miami, FL) – Emerging blind soccer coach focused on community outreach.
• Lex Gillette (Chula Vista, CA) – Six-time Paralympian (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020), five-time Paralympic silver medalist in long jump.
• Eliana Mason (Beaverton, OR) – Three-time Paralympian (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), Paralympic silver medalist (Tokyo 2020) in goalball.
• Cheyenne Meyer (McKinney, TX) – Advocate for inclusive sports programming and sighted guide.
• Tyler Merren (Greenville, MI) – Five-time Paralympian (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), Paralympic bronze medalist (Athens 2004) and silver medalist (Rio 2016) in goalball.
• Emma Pappariella (Pittsburgh, PA) – Aspiring Women’s Blind Soccer athlete and actively engaged in grassroots sports development.
• Calahan Young (Pittsburgh, PA) – Two-time Paralympian (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), captain of the USA Men’s Goalball team.

Last year, 10+ ambassadors collaborated with Google marketing, product, research, and engineering teams virtually and in-person to provide valuable perspectives on Pixel accessibility features. Our focus this year remains on refining these features, with the goal of empowering blind and low vision people with AI-powered cutting-edge tools that enhance independence and performance.

“Continuing our partnership with USABA is incredibly important to us. It directly reflects Google’s mission to build genuinely helpful and accessible technology for everyone. Engaging with and learning from these exceptional athletes provides essential feedback, driving the evolution of Google Pixel as an inclusive tool designed to dismantle barriers and empower independence for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.”  Julia Cheney, Google Pixel US Cultural Marketing Lead, Devices & Services

Through this partnership, Google Pixel and USABA reaffirm their shared commitment to inclusion, innovation, and breaking barriers in sports and technology.

For athlete bios and photos, visit the 2025 USABA Sport Ambassador page on the USABA website.

About the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA)

The mission of USABA is to empower Americans who are blind or visually impaired to experience life-changing opportunities in sports, recreation, and physical activities, thereby educating and inspiring the nation. A member organization of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and US Soccer, USABA is certified by the USOPC as the national governing body for the Paralympic team sports of goalball and blind soccer. Since its founding in 1976, USABA has reached more than 100,000 individuals through its multi-sport programming in eight sports. The organization has emerged as more than just a world-class trainer of blind athletes; it has become a champion of the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. As USABA celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, the organization continues

to build on its legacy of expanding sports opportunities for athletes who are blind or visually impaired.

For more information about USABA and its initiatives, visit www.usaba.org.

About Google Pixel 

Pixel is the only smartphone engineered by Google, putting the best of Google AI in your hand via AndroidOS. Well known for their industry-leading cameras, Pixel phones are powerful and fast, and come in a variety of models to choose from. Pixel phones run on Google’s custom Tensor chip, which enables enhanced security capabilities and outstanding image transformation.

Related Posts