OE Patients

Tag: Aira

  • Aira is Remote Visual Assistance

    Aira is Remote Visual Assistance

    There have been many changes to Aira services, and we must admit, it’s all a bit hard to follow. The subscription prices have increased significantly for new subscribers in 2023, but it’s not clearly published, so best to call Aira to clarify. There is also apparently a new app, called Aira Explore, which is currently available on Google Play, but not yet on the App Store. The old app (now called Legacy) will not be updating and users will need to install the new version at some point. Call Aira customer service: 800-835-1934.

    Living with vision loss has a way of compelling us to become better problem solvers. We learn to develop compensatory strategies for getting things done on a daily basis. And we all know there are moments when the technology, the magnifiers and the light, just won’t suffice, what we could really use is another pair of eyes. This is when you would consider calling upon a family member, a colleague, or a friend, but you’d prefer not to disturb anyone. 

    The visual interpreting service, Aira (pronounced I-ra) is a possible solution to that problem, and many more. The name is acronym for Ai Remote Assistance the service connects people with live, specially trained agents for help reading, navigating, identifying or describing. The connection icon a video call made on a smartphone app, currently available in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. You’re not bothering them, they want you to call, it’s what they do. They offer another pair of eyes, exactly when you need them.

    Home screen of Aira app.
    Home screen of Aira app.

    The App

    Access to Aira’s free services requires an app. Create an account and sign in as a Guest. The app will tell you what Aira Access Locations are in your vicinity. In Access Locations, which include Starbucks, Target, Bank of America, Walgreens, AT&T, 50+ airports and transit systems, like all of Boston’s MBTA railroad, subway and bus stops. Recently Aira announced the entire state of Connecticut the service is paid for by the location and you enjoy guest access for free. If you already have an Aira account, you’re good to go, just make sure you have the latest version of the app.

    Monthly Subscription

    Upgrade to a monthly plan with a call to customer service. You may find great value in a plan that enables you to take a guided stroll through a museum. Rediscover your neighborhood restaurants and shops, or get help navigating an airport that is not yet a free access location. The possibilities are endless.

    You may find great value in a plan that enables you to take a guided stroll through a museum, rediscover your neighborhood restaurants and shops, or get help navigating an airport that is not yet a free access location. The possibilities are endless.

    Tell Aira Where You Want Guest Access

    To sponsor more free service and expand inclusivity, Aira needs to build their Guest Access Network. The most significant impact comes from businesses with many locations. If you know of a an organization with interest in making Aira’s services available to their customers, send that information to: [email protected].

    Website: Aira.io

    Phone: 800-835-1934

    This post was previously published Jan 27, 2022 and updated Feb 28, 2023.

  • Event Recap: App Happy

    Event Recap: App Happy

    Thanks to all who attended our accessibility session on Apps, coming out despite the Arctic blast that hit with a relentless mix of icy rain and snow.  The discussion was lively and always interesting and informative, exactly as we hoped it would be. People sharing their experience and learning from each other.

    We acknowledged, upfront, that the topic of apps is massive and could be discussed for days. Apps that help us compensate for vision loss are available in many categories. We have lots of choices, and selecting the apps we integrate into daily life is a very individual process.

    It was also delightful to note, that accessibility for people with vision loss is a priority, emphasized by tech leaders like Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.  Inclusive technology is shifting our expectations and bridging the gaps.  Although it’s not perfect…it’s really good.

    Finding the apps that work for you will make life a little easier.

    The recap that follows is a look at some specific apps and new developments we talked about at our “App Happy” session. It’s not only the apps with the bells and whistles that can change your life. Access to the basic built-in iPhone apps like Contacts, Camera, Messages, News, Clock, and Maps, can make a huge difference in your everyday.   

     

    Here are the apps that kicked off our “App Happy” discussion: 

    Seeing AI App (iOS Only)

    This app from Microsoft has been around for just over a year and has already expanded its channels and improved its performance noticeably. Built for iOS exclusively, but rumored to be adding Android soon. Read more about Seeing AI in our article here.

    9 Channels:

    • Short Text – Reads instantly
    • Document – Aligns and reads full page
    • Product – Barcode reader
    • Person – Facial recognition; fun but not sure how functional
    • Currency Reader – US and Canadian
    • Scene Reader – take a photo and it describes the scene and reads text
    • Color Reader – identifies color
    • Handwriting Reader – much improved for handwritten print or cursive
    • Light Indicator – changes tone to the direction of light

     

    Soundscape App (iOS Only)

    A “map with 3D sound” provides information about your environment. Also from Microsoft, exclusively for iOS (so far). Read more about Microsoft Soundscape in our article here.

    4 Channels:

    • My Location – figure out where you are, direction facing, points of interest
    • Nearby Marker – locations you have marked
    • Around Me – what’s in the 4 surrounding quadrants
    • Ahead of Me – street names, buildings, businesses coming up

     

    Aira App

    A new assisted navigation service provided by trained agents viewing your location by live video.

    • Log in as a guest to try in fee-free locations like Walgreens, AT&T, Wegmans and a growing list of airports and businesses
    • Also available for a monthly subscription starting at $89. for 100 minutes

     

    Be My Eyes App

    This app provides live video access to a network of 1 million volunteers helping 80 thousand people with vision loss in 180 countries.

    • Average wait for a volunteer: 30 seconds
    • Get help with appliances, electronics, instructions, identification, etc.
    • Not recommended to share private information
    • Newly partnered with Microsoft Disability Desk


    GalaPro App

    The app making New York’s Broadway shows accessible to audience members with vision and hearing loss, from the privacy of their own mobile phone. Read more about GalaPro in our article here.
    • Audio descriptions syncs with live performance
    • An accessibility kiosk in every theater helps get you started
    • Also, offers closed captioning and language translation 

     

    More App Happy audience favorites:

    Amazon App

    • Now with access to live Disability Hotline 888-283-1678 for shopping assistance.

     

    Alexa App

    • For Book Reading, Shopping, Calendar, Music, Recipes, Games, Translation and more.

     

    Amazon Prime Video App

    • Watch Prime Video on numerous devices with audio description.

     

    Apple News App

    • The standard iOS app that provides access to a large selection of curated news from major outlets including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, CNN, Food Network and more.

     

    NFB Newsline App (iOS Only) 

    • The National Federation of the Blind now offers an app for iOS that extends their newspaper reading service to over 300 publications, for eligible users.

     

    Shazam App

    • An entertaining app that identifies music, movies, TV, and ads, after hearing just a short snippet. Apple recently bought the technology and now offers it on iOS, Mac OS, TV OS, and Watch OS.

     

    Drop us a note by email, or post a comment on our Facebook.