[Colorado-Talk] State Parks and AIRA

[tkeenan79 at gmail.com]

Good morning!

This little blurb was in my Axios Denver newsletter this morning:

 

5. 📱 This app helps blind people see state parks

Theresa Montano,  senior solutions architect for the Governor's Office of Information Technology's Technology Accessibility Program team, uses the Aira app at Chatfield State Park. Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife

A digital tool is opening the eyes of blind adventurers to the beauty of Colorado's 42 state parks.

How it works: Aira, a mobile app, connects your smartphone or computer camera to professionally trained virtual agents who offer real-time visual interpretation of the world around you.

• That includes help with navigation, signs and landmarks, and reading park brochures.

• The app offers free 30-minute sessions at a time, with the possibility to call back for additional complimentary sessions if needed.

What they're saying: This is a step toward ensuring "everyone feels welcome at our parks," Colorado Parks and Wildlife director Jeff Davis said in a statement.

Caveat: Because the app relies on video, a stable cellular connection is required — which can vary widely from park to park.

 

Thanks for your work to put this together and publicize it, Theresa!

 

 

Cheers,

Tim

P.S. This is a great newsletter if you’re in Denver. You can sign up here:

https://www.axios.com/local/denver

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