[Colorado-Talk] Lieutenant Governor Primavera Announces New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State Locations and Digital Services

[Curtis Chong]

Thursday, February 23, 2023

 

DENVER - Today, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera announced the Polis-Primavera
administration is now offering a digital tool to help people access state
services in real time.  <https://aira.io/> Aira provides Coloradans who are
blind or have low vision access to live visual interpreters at no cost for
up to 30 minutes per session when navigating state-operated locations and
digital services. The goal of this program is to allow Coloradans to more
easily access government services independently.

"Creating a Colorado for all means ensuring everyone can access essential
services comfortably and independently," said Lt. Gov. Primavera. "We're on
a mission at the state to deliver innovative, flexible options so all
Coloradans can confidently take advantage of the state's programs and
benefits."

Aira is a live, human-to-human service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year. Using the camera on a smartphone or computer, secure
live video is streamed to a professionally-trained agent who visually
interprets what is shared. Watch Lt. Gov. Primavera explain how Aira can
help Coloradans access state services in
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJPjAjj6L8> this video.

"In the State of Colorado, we are driven every day to make government easy,
as laid out in our  <https://oit.colorado.gov/digital-government> Digital
Government Strategic Plan," said Anthony Neal-Graves, Chief Information
Officer and Executive Director at the Governor's Office of Information
Technology (OIT). "The Aira service is another step forward in reducing
barriers to state services through digital solutions, which brings us closer
to creating a truly equitable, inclusive customer experience for all
Coloradans."

The new offering is an extension of the state's efforts to be fully
welcoming and accessible to all. Coloradans will be able to get assistance
navigating locations and interpreting otherwise inaccessible documentation
through free calls with Aira agents up to 30 minutes per session at
locations such as DMV centers, state parks, colleges and state workforce
centers.

"I have used Aira for six years, both in my personal life and as a state
employee," said Theresa Montano, Senior Accessibility Solutions Architect at
OIT. "With the help of their agents, I have been able to deliver strategy
plans and review project plans and progress charts that once were impossible
without the help of a sighted teammate. Knowing Aira is always available has
relieved stress in completing my work and has been invaluable since we began
working remotely. I am thrilled that we will be able to help blind and
low-vision Coloradans gain that same sense of relief when they interact with
the state, knowing Aira is always there."

Learn more about how to access and use Aira at
<https://oit.colorado.gov/accessibility/aira>
oit.colorado.gov/accessibility/aira. Download the app from your mobile
device via the  <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aira/id1071584352> Apple
Store or
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aira.smart&hl=en_US&gl=US>
Google Play or let your friends and family know about this service. 

 

 

Cordially,

 

Curtis Chong

 

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