[NFBWATLK] Learn more about Aira

Wed Jan 10 04:55:12 UTC 2018

Perhaps you have heard of Aira or perhaps you have not yet heard of this incredible product. We call Aira “a visual interpreter for blind and low vision persons”. With Aira anyone can accomplish tasks usually inaccessible to blind people because they require significant eye sight to perform them, more eye sight than we have ourselves.

So, what is Aira exactly? Aira is a product consisting of smart glasses with a tiny high-resolution video camera, an app on a smartphone, and a specially trained agent who describes the images seen by the glasses’ camera. To use Aira a blind person contacts Aira through the Aira app. When a request is made an agent is called by the smartphone while at the same time a video internet connection is established between the agent and the glasses. When the agent answers the call from the user, not only does the agent see what the camera transmits, but they also receive gps and Google map data showing where the user is and what is geographically around them.

Agents are specifically hired because they have an aptitude for describing and providing information as required. They go through special training and a rigorous battery of tests before they are permitted to accept calls and go to work. Aira agents do not help, but rather they provide information. If, for example, you use Aira while walking and you approach a street corner the Aira agent will not tell you when it is safe to cross the street. The agent can indicate it they see cars coming and they can tell you when the traffic light turns green for you. Aira does not replace canes, guide dogs or your travel skills. Instead, Aira enhances your toolbox of information gathering techniques.

People have used Aira to go shopping, travel through airports and malls, better perform household tasks such as identifying and preparing meals, putting on makeup, visiting places such as amusement parks and Arlington cemetery, assembling items and even running in the Boston Marathon. Aira is limited in what it can do only by your imagination. To give you an idea of what Aira has done for one person, click on this link to hear Greg Stilson’s personal airport story, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQX_msSbpNk. 

If you want to learn more about Aira you are invited to attend any of the weekly teleconference calls held each Wednesday including the next one on January 10th at 2PM Hawaiian time, 5PM Pacific time, 6PM Mountain time, 7PM Central time, and 8PM Eastern time. If you are wondering why I list all times it is because I want to point out that Aira is available to everyone throughout the United States. Oh yes, this does include Alaska which means some may be calling in at 4PM or at other times. To attend all you need to do is to dial in with the phone number (605) 468-8004, and enter the access code 329906# when the call is answered. During the call, you will learn all you wish to know about Aira. We shall be conducting a live demonstration with an Aira agent assisting me, or at least describing to you what I am doing as well as helping me answer your questions. Please share this with your friends, colleagues and anyone else who might be interested in Aira. Also, please feel free to share this with anyone you know at agencies serving the blind or with any other clubs and organizations you feel should know about this tremendous product and resource.

Should you need information before the call please feel free to contact me directly at michael.hingson at aira.io and I will do my best to provide a timely response or ask that you attend the call, so I can give everyone the same answer. I hope to see you on one of our calls and I look forward to you joining the Aira family if you are not already an Aira user. Below my signature are some links you can click on to learn more about Aira. Thank you for your time.

By the way, if you are not currently an Aira user be sure to dial in to receive a special offer. Anyone who participates on the call and who signs up for Aira that evening will automatically receive their first month of Aira service free. 

I look forward to talking with you on Wednesday.

Best regards

Michael Hingson

Director of Strategic Sales

 <http://t.sidekickopen65.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XZsdDZfnVRrQh84X9HszW8qC6LR56dDBKf4d23G202?t=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2F%40kevinphelan%2Fmeet-aira-the-startup-thats-bringing-jack-bauer-s-secret-weapon-chloe-to-real-life-cd058afd540%23.wn2bfzxz6&si=5061981071605760&pi=b12cff5d-4312-443a-8be4-75b24a994ebd> Aira Overview Blog

- A primer on Aira.

 <http://t.sidekickopen65.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XZsdDZfnVRrQh84X9HszW8qC6LR56dDBKf4d23G202?t=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2016%2F12%2F22%2Fthis-technology-helps-guide-the-blind-and-visually-impaired.html&si=5061981071605760&pi=b12cff5d-4312-443a-8be4-75b24a994ebd> Aira on CNBC 

- 

Meet Candice Jordan  an amazing Aira user and advocate.

 <http://t.sidekickopen65.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJN7t5XZsdDZfnVRrQh84X9HszW8qC6LR56dDBKf4d23G202?t=http%3A%2F%2Fblindabilities.com%2Fbapresents%2Faira-series-part-2-meet-nicholas-giudice-michael-hingson-and-cheryl-spencer-aira-users%2F&si=5061981071605760&pi=b12cff5d-4312-443a-8be4-75b24a994ebd> Blind Abilities Podcast - Independent review of Aira.

Aira, a Visual Interpreter for the Blind

HYPERLINK "mailto: +1-415-827-40842" \t "_blank" +1-415-827-4084 | HYPERLINK "mailto:michael.hingson at aira.io" \t "_blank" michael.hingson at aira.io 

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