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

kevan at nfbco.org kevan at nfbco.org
Tue Feb 28 16:58:45 UTC 2023 

I'm curious about the cost. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Curtis Chong <chong.curtis at gmail.com> 
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 4:58 PM
To: 'NFB of Colorado Discussion List' <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: kevan at nfbco.org
Subject: RE: [Colorado-Talk] Lieutenant Governor Primavera Announces New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State Locations and Digital Services

Greetings:

One value of this service is that if a person is having trouble with a state website which legally should be accessible but probably isn't, Aira minutes are now free for help working with the inaccessible state website. I am not sure how all of this is going to work in practical terms, and I am not even sure how many blind folks will benefit from this—especially those who do not use smartphones. Time will tell.

Cordially,

Curtis Chong

-----Original Message-----
From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kevan Worley via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:21 AM
To: 'NFB of Colorado Discussion List' <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: kevan at nfbco.org
Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Lieutenant Governor Primavera Announces New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State Locations and Digital Services

The fact is, Aira can be very, very helpful. You can share your computer screen with them, an agent can fill out forms with a little learning curve. It is a helpful travel tool. It just depends on "how many bars you have" 😊 

I think the real crux of the matter is who did the agency talk to before making a decision to spend dollars and how much was spent. I have not followed up with that question to the state. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:15 AM
To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Lieutenant Governor Primavera Announces New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State Locations and Digital Services

This is a pretty interesting discussion. As I said before, I've only tried Aira a couple of times. The really important question here is how useful it is as an accessibility tool in state buildings. Will it help me fill out a form at DVR or the DMV? As i said, it certainly be useful in the Capitol where there is no Braille signage and the floor plans are  very complex. But having said that, it is a bit like asking directions of someone nearby or in an office,  a strategy that works, too.

So, what did the state pay for this tool that people mostly only use now and again? Is it worthy of a big thank you or just a big yawn?
Will it mean greater access for blind Coloradans, and will that really include deaf-blind Coloradans, or is this really just superior marketing and sales strategies for a company that can't sign up enough real live blind customers because it's not economical for most of us?
Possibly, and I just thought of this, it's greatest value will be to blind employees of the state and blind vendors with sites in state buildings. If that's the case, I'm for it, but I still think it's worthy of at least a little yawn, even in light of that.

Best,
Dan




On 2/24/23, Doula Jarboe via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
>      As someone who is DeafBlind, I have never tried using Aira while 
> traveling.  Considering my hearing loss already makes traveling more 
> challenging, and then add listening to someone on my phone, and I 
> think it would just be really difficult.  Plus between using a guide 
> dog and hauling my oxygen tank, I don't have enough hands.  I know 
> they have an option for texting which might work better I've never 
> tried it.  My brief experiences of using Aira have mostly been at home 
> and have worked well.  I'll admit I'm spoiled living with someone who 
> is sighted.  I don't know if other DeafBlind p's experiences with 
> using the service have been positive or negative$ Warmly, Doula accva
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
> Kevan Worley via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Friday, February 24, 2023 11:46 AM
> To: 'NFB of Colorado Discussion List' <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: kevan at nfbco.org
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Lieutenant Governor Primavera Announces 
> New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State 
> Locations and Digital Services
>
> I agree! The only quibble I have with your comment is that I do not 
> need Aira to tell me that an elevator is on my left, and they won't.
> They won't unless you ask the agent to tell you or to describe your surroundings etc.
> The difficulty with Aira as a travel aid is that your coverage is 
> spotty. As a frequent Aira user for travel, nothing is more 
> frustrating than being in the middle of an airport or office building 
> or mall, or lower downtown and losing your connection. And that 
> happens far too often. I have not used Aira at our state capital. I am 
> going to guess coverage will be spotty. I would rather work to get appropriate signage.
>
> I know that many Aira customers use Aira for computer work, matching 
> clothes, and the like.
>
> What is the state paying for the Aira service?
>
> Full disclosure, I worked for Aira for about three years I did quit 
> over their messaging. However, I do have a significant Aira plan, and 
> I do use the service. But not as much as I thought I would in the 
> beginning. I will be interested in the comments of my colleagues. I 
> would love to have a nice piece for our newsletter.
>
>
> At your service,
> Kevan Worley
> 303-929-2369
> Manager Project Literacy, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado 
> Treasurer, Colorado Center for the Blind The National Federation of 
> the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the 
> hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to 
> help blind people live the lives they want.
> Colorado Center for the Blind believes when you believe in yourself 
> and experience a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing 
> can hold you back from pursuing your dreams.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of 
> Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2023 2:23 PM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Lieutenant Governor Primavera Announces 
> New Tool to Assist Blind and Low-Vision Coloradans Navigate State 
> Locations and Digital Services
>
> you know, I like the way Theresa talks about how she uses Aira in her 
> work life. That makes sense. And even for reading of some signs in the capitol.
> Lord knows, it's a complicated layout there, and absolutely no Braille 
> signage as we were all reminded last week for our day there. I wonder 
> if it was up and running in beta form and we didn't know it!
>
> But I just don't see Aira as primarily a travel tool, though it's 
> always been touted as such by the company.  I don't need Aira to tell 
> me the elevators are on my left, or that the Lt. Governor is approaching me.
> Something about their promotion is just a little off for me.
>
> Dan
>
> On 2/23/23, Curtis Chong via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Dan Burke
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair
>
> President, NFB of Denver
>
> "Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
>
> My Cell:  406.546.8546
> Twitter:  @DallDonal
>
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--
Dan Burke

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair

President, NFB of Denver

"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"

My Cell:  406.546.8546
Twitter:  @DallDonal

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