For travelers who struggle to make out gate signs or departure boards, Phoenix Sky Harbor just handed over a powerful new tool. The airport is now offering free, unlimited access to ReBokeh, a phone-based assistive app that helps people with low vision read signage and navigate terminals. The rollout covers Sky Harbor as well as the city-owned Deer Valley and Goodyear airports and is available to both travelers and staff immediately. City leaders say the move is meant to help more people travel independently by sharpening the visual information that is already in the terminals.
How the ReBokeh App Works
ReBokeh uses a phone’s live camera to apply customized visual filters such as contrast, color hue, zoom and lighting, and it includes an AI feature that can answer personalized questions about what a user is seeing. According to the City of Phoenix, the AI also defaults to a user’s device language and can serve as a real-time translation tool for signage and digital displays. Airport staff emphasize that the app is meant to enhance usable sight, not replace existing human-guided or audio-based supports.
Contract, Cost and Timeline
City records show the council approved a contract with ReBokeh on April 22, and the agreement began on or about May 1, 2026. It runs for an initial three-year term with two optional one-year extensions. The five-year aggregate cost will not exceed $135,000, and staff noted that the award was made without standard competitive bidding because the product was considered uniquely suited to the airports’ needs, according to official city documents. The Aviation Department says the contract will be funded through the airport’s operating budget.
PHX Joins a Growing List of Hosts
Phoenix is not the first to test-drive this tech. Baltimore/Washington International rolled out ReBokeh in April as part of its accessibility efforts. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and independent accessibility profiles note that travelers are using the app for tasks ranging from reading gate signs to clarifying what is on departure boards. ReBokeh has also been highlighted by accessibility initiatives working with museums and other public venues, showing that the tool is being tried out well beyond airport terminals.
What Travelers Need to Know
Passengers can download the ReBokeh app for free and set up a profile before they head to the airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor has posted a short tutorial and guidance for new users. The airport will continue to offer Aira and other visual-assistance options, but officials say ReBokeh gives travelers another choice if they prefer visual enhancement, according to PHX accessibility resources and the company’s site. Airport staff recommend that travelers confirm their device is compatible and test the app in a calm area before relying on it during tight connections or busy peak times.
Local Officials and Company Reaction
“Traveling with low vision can present unique challenges,” ReBokeh founder and CEO Rebecca Rosenberg said, calling the Phoenix rollout “an important step” toward more independent travel, according to ReBokeh. Mayor Kate Gallego also promoted the partnership on X, saying the city is committed to giving travelers the resources they need to move through the airport with confidence.
