[NFBSF] FW: Re: BART launches pilot of Aira video interpreter service to help blind and Low vision riders navigate the system

[Daveed Mandell]

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Daveed Mandell <daveedmandell at gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2026 01:11 PM
To: sfcl at ccblists.groups.io;pattynash8 at yahoo.com;trans-eac at acblists.org;ccbl at ccblists.groups.io;presidents at ccblists.groups.io;kridgeway at actransit.org;sllamas at actransit.org;rgrene at bart.gov;kevin.mcdonald at bart.gov;erin.mcauliff at sfmta.com;virginia.rathke at sfmta.com;maddy.ruvolo at sfmta.com;matthew.west at sfmta.com;dshelton at bayareametro.gov;kmiller at bayareametro.gov;afremier at bayareametro.gov;kpasco at alamedactc.org;deborah at weaccel.io;ptalkington at dreddf.org
CC: sfcl at ccblists.groups.io;pattynash8 at yahoo.com;trans-eac at acblists.org
Subject: FW: Re: BART launches pilot of Aira video interpreter service to help blind and Low vision riders navigate the system

Hello, everyone:

I am so very proud of what I have accomplished for BART and for all of us! For the next three months, BART will be an Aira access point. We will now have more accessibility and wayfinding assistance, access to BART, other transit agencies, and your neighborhoods, whan we have ever had before. 

We no longer have time to wait or waste! We deserve, and will now have, the maximum and most effective accessibility in the shortest amount of time possible! This is by no means a complete solution, but it is now the best we've ever had! 

Aira agents are available 24/7 to assist and guide blind people and low vision individuals  anywhere, at any time, wherever we need or want to travel, in the Bay Area, so long as we ride BART for part of our trips. 

If you find this pilot useful, and if you want even more accessibility, we will request that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission adopt Aira as an access point for the entire Bay Area. In that way, we will be able to take advantage of any and all transit agencies and districts in the region. However, because this is a BART pilot, we must ride BART for part of our trips from our homes to our destinaos, and vice versa. 

Please remember that Aira will assist us only with transit-related concerns. That includes walking through various neighborooods, navigating and riding BART, identifying and locating bus, Metro and light rail stops, and riding other transit agencies' buses and trains.

IMPORTANT: Please keep me posted. Please let me know if the pilot is working for you, or if it is not. If it is, please give me specific ways in which it has helped you. If not, please specify the problems you encounter. Please also send this information to
accessibility at bart.gov

BART's Communications Department has yet to issue a press release. However, the BART Accessibility Task Force has received the enclosed announcement and instructions. Please read them carefully.  

I wish BART had included deaf and deafblind individuals in this pilot, but they're on the right track, so to speak! (Sorry for the horrible pun!) For the most part, I'm very pleased with the pilot and the announcement/instructions. 
Here's hoping that the pilot is successful. 

Good luck to us all! 

Best regards,

Daveed Mandell
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Denah S. Bookstein" <denahsbookstein at gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 07, 2026 11:27 AM
To: Daveed Mandell <daveedmandell at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: BART launches pilot of Aira video interpreter service to help blind and Low vision riders navigate the system

Bravo Daveed,
This is wonderful news!
I was down with a cold for a few days. I hope you didn't catch it!
I'll be in touch!
Denah
PS a good reason for an after-Kiddush talk !!

On Tue, Oct 6, 2026 at 6:01 PM Daveed Mandell <daveedmandell at gmail.com>
wrote:

> I am so proud to have made this possible, but will never give me credit,
> but I don't mind. What we will have which is pilot is the maximum amount
> access to we have ever had since it's inception in 1972 in the shortest
> amount of time possible Isn't solution, but it is the most effective
> solution right now and I'm very proud that I was able to move ahead with
> this. I hope the pilot succeed does will be able to funding this idea
> because it does not require require any pre-planning or technical set up
> with mapping. All they had to do was acquired the funds to pay a RA, and
> the agents will do the rest
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> *From:* Elena Van Loo <EVanLoo at bart.gov>
> *Date:* October 6, 2026 at 11:45:09 AM PDT
> *To:* Anita Ortega <carriefranco at hotmail.com>, Bruce Yow <
> bly_may_2 at yahoo.com>, catherine.wheels at gmail.com, "Clarence R. Fischer (
> crfischer.batf at att.net)" <crfischer.batf at att.net>, Daniel Kodmur <
> dkod510 at gmail.com>, Daveed Mandell <daveedmandell at gmail.com>, Eshter
> Waltz <annica45 at comcast.net>, Herb Hastings <hhastings at rceb.org>, Hilary
> Brown <hillaryshehova at gmail.com>, Janice Armigo Brown <
> janicenab at sbcglobal.net>, Joshua Saunders <JoshuaESaunders at gmail.com>,
> Roland Wong <suilung at gmail.com>, Ryan Manriquez <ryanmanriquez8 at gmail.com>,
> Sam Buman <samiam77 at sonic.net>, Shana Ray <elmindreda214 at gmail.com>
> *Cc:* Ryan Greene-Roesel <RGreene at bart.gov>, Kevin McDonald <
> kevin.mcdonald at bart.gov>
> *Subject:* *BART launches pilot of Aira video interpreter service to help
> blind and Low vision riders navigate the system*
>
> 
>
> Hello, BATF members.
>
>
>
> BART is excited to announce a new pilot program
> <https://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2026/news20261006> of Aira, a visual
> interpreter service that will help blind and low vision customers navigate
> to, from, and through the BART system, from October 6 through January 3rd
> .
>
>
>
> *What is Aira*
>
>
>
> Aira connects you with a live, professionally trained visual interpreter
> through a video call on your smartphone. The interpreter can see through
> your phone's camera and describe your surroundings, read signs and text,
> and help guide you in real time. Aira interpreters receive basic training
> on the BART system and can access BART's website and mobile app to help
> answer your questions.
>
>
>
> Interpreters are available 24/7 and can help with tasks like:
>
>
>
>    - Getting to or from home or the street to the station
>
>
>    - Finding fare gates, station agent booths, and ticket vending
>    machines
>
>
>    - Locating the right platform and boarding the correct train
>
>
>    - Reading signs, maps, and the BART app
>
>
>
> *How much does it cost?*
>
>
>
> Normally, Aira charges users by the minute, but during the pilot period,
> the cost of any call related to a BART trip — from a rider's front door all
> the way to their destination – will be covered.
>
>
>
> *How do I get started?*
>
>
>
>    1. Download the free *Aira Explorer* app from the Apple App Store
>    <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aira-explorer/id1590186766> or Google
>    Play
>    <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aira.explorer&pli=1>
>    .
>
>
>    2. Open the app and create an account.   You will need to give the App
>    permission to use your phone camera, microphone, and GPS location so the
>    interpreter can assist you.
>
>
>    3. In the app, on the home screen, tap *Browse Access Offers*, and
>    then in the search bar at the top of the next screen, type in *BART*.
>    The offer is then applied to your next call.
>
>
>    4. When you're ready to place the call, open the app and tap "Call an
>    Aira agent" to connect. You will reach a live visual interpreter in ten to
>    fifteen seconds.
>
>
>    5. Let the interpreter know you are making a BART-related trip, point
>    your camera at what you need information on, and the visual interpreter
>    will assist you.
>
>
>
> Aira works best with a cell signal or Wi-Fi connection. Free Wi-Fi is
> available to BART riders at SFO, West Oakland, 16th St./Mission, 24th
> St./Mission, Glen Park, Balboa Park, Embarcadero, Civic Center, and Powell
> St. stations, with more coming soon. Cell service may be limited at some
> underground stations, such as 12th St. and 19th St. Oakland.
>
>
>
> *Support and Feedback *
>
>
>
> BART will distribute a survey to participants to obtain feedback about the
> pilot.
>
>
>
> Contact accessibility at bart.gov  with overall questions about the pilot.
>
>
>
> For support with the Aira app, reach Aira support any time from the Aira
> Explorer menu, email Support at aira.io or call Aira Customer Care at
> 1-800-834-1935.
>
>
>
> Thank you,
>
> Customer Access and Accessibility Department
>
> San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
>
> 2150 Webster Street
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2150+Webster+Street+%0D%0A+Oakland,+CA+94612?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Oakland, CA 94612
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/2150+Webster+Street+%0D%0A+Oakland,+CA+94612?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> accessibility at bart.gov
>
>
>
> CC:    Ryan Greene Roesel
>
>           Kevin McDonald
>
>
>
>
>
>
>