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

Tue Feb 28 17:05:31 UTC 2023

Excellent comments! 

I’ve lost track of where we are with capital signage. At one point, probably several years ago, we pushed the capital for braille signage. There was some weird pushback from the capital historic people about it. Perhaps we let it drop. Dan, we should talk to representative Ortiz. 

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.

From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of James Gashel via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 2:14 PM
To: Colorado Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: James Gashel <jgashel0923 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

Aloha all:

Please consider a perspective from an out of stater, but a one time Colorado resident.

I like and use Aira, but rarely having anything to do with travel. My Aira use is mostly as a remote clerical assistant. When I lived in Colorado I hired a part time person as a reader/assistant, but I hadn’t yet figured out that this is a good use case for Aira too. Now Aira is my exclusive clerical assistant.

About the state buying Aira to provide accessibility assistance, it shows the officials" well intentioned sensitivity, but shouldn’t be the end of the matter. If the rooms in the capitol aren’t properly marked with Braille numbers, I think they should be. I don’t object if Aira is a temporary solution to this, but shouldn’t be the only long-term approach.

I am legislative chair of NFB of Hawaii, so a regular at the state capitol. At some point before my time, someone had the forethought to put room number signs in print and Braille all around the capitol. Don’t know what that cost, but I’m sure it’s been paid for long ago; better as a one-time expense than a continuing monthly service fee. Consequently, I have never felt the need to contact Aira while moving around the capitol.

I’m all for the state paying to provide things we need due to being blind and generally don’t think they do enough. On Wednesday I will be testifying for a bill to give our Public Service Commission authority to pay for things like NFB-NEWSLINE. For me, and maybe it’s only me, I think this gets more at the heart of what we need the state to do than paying for a service like Aira.

More than that, the state could provide better services leading to better jobs for blind people. Then we can decide if Aira is important enough to pay for it our selves.

Best and Aloha,

James Gashel

M: (808) 234-9259

E: jgashel0923 at gmail.com <mailto:jgashel0923 at gmail.com> 

On Feb 27, 2023, at 7:27 AM, Martin Becerra-Miranda via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

🥱 

Thank you,
Martin Becerra-Miranda

On Feb 27, 2023, at 10:16 AM, Dan Burke via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: kevan at nfbco.org <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto:colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aira.smart&hl=en_US&%0bgl=US> &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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