<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">hey, Len, how are you? I remember you from previous NFB gatherings. I hope you are doing well. I'm doing great. Esther<br><br><div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome iPhone 7+!</span></div><div dir="ltr"><br><blockquote type="cite">On Oct 16, 2021, at 7:08 AM, lfs40--- via CT-NFB <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org> wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">The glasses are still not used. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Len Schlenk<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> CT-NFB <ct-nfb-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Esther Levegnale via CT-NFB<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 15, 2021 10:04 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Connecticut Mailing List <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Esther Levegnale <elevegnale@sbcglobal.net><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [CT-NFB] {Spam?} Re: Fwd: You're Invited: Participate in the Aira Pilot Program [not-secure]<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">yes, as far as I know, they did do away with the glasses. Maybe I will call them up tomorrow and ask them if they ever got them back. I think they would've told us so, though. Anyway, have a great evening everyone. Esther<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt">Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome iPhone 7+!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">On Oct 15, 2021, at 9:18 PM, Hamit Campos via CT-NFB <<a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org">ct-nfb@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><p>Wait they got rid of the glasses?<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">On 10/15/2021 8:51 PM, Esther Levegnale via CT-NFB wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal">hi, Jim, and everyone, I have been using Aira for quite a few years now and I think it's one of the most wonderful and useful apps that have come to our attention in many years. I use it quite often, to find my way in unfamiliar places, and, would you believe, finding my birds toy which fell out the window when I was shaking out the tablecloth that I use so that I could hear his little feet when he comes down the ladder and out of his cage. I used it when I went into Port Authority in New York to find my way to my next bus when I was going to Pennsylvania. Anyway, I just love using this app. I do miss the glasses, though. They gave those up quite a while ago. I have to keep holding the phone, but I understand there are lanyards which you could place around your neck so that you don't have to hold the phone. Anyway, I hope this helps. Esther <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.0pt">Sent From Esther's Amazing and Awesome iPhone 7+!</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">On Oct 15, 2021, at 9:27 AM, Jim McCollum via CT-NFB <a href="mailto:ct-nfb@nfbnet.org"><ct-nfb@nfbnet.org></a> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></blockquote></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Jim Y. McCollum <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Board Member and Legislative Coordinator <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">860-581-0430 <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:j.mccollum64@comcast.net">j.mccollum64@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b>From:</b> Jim McCollum <a href="mailto:Jim.Y.McCollum@gmail.com"><Jim.Y.McCollum@gmail.com></a><br><b>Date:</b> October 15, 2021 at 9:24:34 AM EDT<br><b>To:</b> Jim McCollum <a href="mailto:j.mccollum64@comcast.net"><j.mccollum64@comcast.net></a><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>Fwd: You're Invited: Participate in the Aira Pilot Program [not-secure]</b><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Jim Y. McCollum <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">860-581-0430<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jim.Y.McCollum@gmail.com">Jim.Y.McCollum@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Sent from my iPhone<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br>Begin forwarded message:<o:p></o:p></p></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b>From:</b> "Ogren, Jeffrey" <a href="mailto:Jeff.Ogren@ct.gov"><Jeff.Ogren@ct.gov></a><br><b>Date:</b> October 15, 2021 at 8:38:40 AM EDT<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:ADS_Announcements@list.ct.gov">ADS_Announcements@list.ct.gov</a><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>You're Invited: Participate in the Aira Pilot Program [not-secure]</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> List <a href="mailto:ADS_Announcements@list.ct.gov"><ADS_Announcements@list.ct.gov></a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote><blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Dear BESB Client, </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">Since today, October 15th, is Blind Americans Equality Day, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) </span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">are excited to</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">announce the launch of an 18-month pilot program offering Aira at no cost to individuals who are blind or have low vision. Aira is a service that enables subscribers to connect with highly trained, live agents in real-time, for assistance using the public transportation system and other essential services. </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">The Aira service uses a smartphone's camera to stream live video to an agent who provides the subscriber with instant access to visual information about their surroundings. The </span></b><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Aira Agents use the live video to narrate and interpret what they see for the customer. This can include how to use the ticket vending machine, navigate one of Connecticut’s busy public transportation hubs, or access connecting services. </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">BESB clients are invited to participate in the 18-month pilot program to access Aira for FREE, a service that would otherwise cost a subscriber upwards of $500 per year. Your participation and feedback throughout the pilot program will be vital to the assessment of the Aira service and help to evaluate the viability of providing Aira long-term. </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">To get started, we invite you to participate in a short, important research survey that is fully accessible. It will take around 10-15 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, you will receive a code that you will need to activate the Aira app on your phone. Here is a </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://uconn.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5d5ONyXG118TOe2" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:#0070C0">link to the survey</span></b></a></span><span class="xxxmsointensereference"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-variant:small-caps;color:#4F81BD;letter-spacing:.25pt">.</span></b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">For more information on this program and how to sign up, please visit</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://ctrides.com/aira-en/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:#0070C0">CTrides</span></b></a><b>. </b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">For more information about the Aira app, please visit </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://aira.io/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color:#0070C0">Aira</span></b></a><b> or call Aira Customer Care at 1.800.835.1934. </b></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Thank you in advance for participating and helping us make travel more accessible for everyone in Connecticut. </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;background:white"><span style="color:#201F1E"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Sincerely,</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Andrew Norton</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#201F1E">Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB)</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="xxxmsonormal" style="background:white"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Aging & Disability Services (ADS)</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><hr size="2" width="100%" align="center"></div><p align="center" style="text-align:center">To unsubscribe from this list, compose an e-mail to <a href="mailto:listserv@list.ct.gov">listserv@list.ct.gov</a> from the same email account used when subscribing to ADS_Announcements. <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" style="text-align:center">Leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type: Signoff ADS_Announcements Click send. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">--d <o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div></blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal"><Blind Americans Equality Day 2021 proclamation.docx><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal">_______________________________________________<br>CT-NFB mailing list<br><a href="mailto:CT-NFB@nfbnet.org">CT-NFB@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for CT-NFB:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/elevegnale%40sbcglobal.net">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org/elevegnale%40sbcglobal.net</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></blockquote></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><pre>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></pre><pre>CT-NFB mailing list<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="mailto:CT-NFB@nfbnet.org">CT-NFB@nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ct-nfb_nfbnet.org</a><o:p></o:p></pre><pre>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for CT-NFB:<o:p></o:p></pre><pre><a 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