[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
Wed Mar 1 19:29:30 UTC 2023
Completely agree.
I am one who does use it for way-finding.
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: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 8:41 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
I always appreciate Jim Gashel's perspective. he uses Aira for reading and other tasks, but without the need to schedule people. And that's the thing for me - I see Aira as more valuable the way Jim uses it rather than as a "way-finding" service as Aira has marketed itself, though I concede there are ways people use it effectively that way.
Again, if blind people working for the state also have access to this service for work purposes, it may very well have benefit. The devil will be in the details as to how this can help folks on state web sites. As Kevan points out, Aira can now help folks on their Windows machines too.
As to the state Capitol, Rep. David Ortiz is introducing a bill this week that would cover a goodly number of accessibility issues in state and local government and it will specifically require Braille signage at the Capitol, as well as accessible bathrooms on every floor and wheelchair access to both chambers of the legislature. This should have been done under Title II of the ADA 30 years ago, historic building or not, but there is an indifferent attitude, if not indolence among the minders of the Capitol that has been the barrier.
After all, Hawaii did it. Montana did it.
People's comments in this discussion need to be directed more to the state of Colorado folks who decided that we needed this service rather than Aira. And we should know what they spent on it. It's our tax money, after all.
Best,
Dan
include
On 2/28/23, Kevan Worley via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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>
>
--
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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