澳门六合彩官网直播 first Michigan campus to bring live visual interpreting to users 24/7

Contact: Deanne Puca
November 30, 2023
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Alicia Marques uses Aira as a "tool in our toolbox" to navigate the halls of the College of Health and Human Services.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擜s a blind graduate assistant at 澳门六合彩官网直播, Alicia Marques navigates obstacles using a white cane, formats papers with the help of an audible screen reader and even cooks dinner safely by keenly identifying the sounds and smells around her.

For instances when her visual aids or senses are not enough, Western has provided a sighted assistant to help.

This fall, the University became the first institution in the state to take assisting the visually impaired to the next level, providing live person-to-person help instantly and at any time on any campus property through a phone or computer.

Western launched this service through (EYE-rah) to give people who are visually impaired who live, work or visit a 澳门六合彩官网直播 campus more independence, says Jayne Fraley-Burgett, director of Disability Services for Students.

鈥淲hen a student is blind, they have accessible materials. What a screen reader can鈥檛 read, we get a sighted aide to help with. But the logistics aren鈥檛 always easy,鈥 she says. 鈥淎ira takes away any barrier of delay and provides sighted help with a quick call through an app. There is a significant amount of comfort that comes from that independence and accessibility.鈥

Western graduate student Alicia Marques opens Aira on her phone
Western graduate student Alicia Marques opens Aira on her phone any time she wants live person-to-person visual interpreting instantly.

鈥淚t has been a game changer,鈥 adds Marques, who lives with her husband, Victor Marques, M.A.鈥21, who is also visually impaired. 鈥淏efore the app, I would have had to wait to get a sighted reader. Now, I pull out my phone and call Aira.鈥

It鈥檚 a 鈥渢ool in our toolbox鈥 she continues. 鈥淭he agents don鈥檛 replace our independence, but Aira makes it more convenient and easier.鈥

How it works

Aira is a free downloadable iOS or Android phone or desktop app that requires an email account. Once the app is engaged, a call will be directed to a trained visual interpreter at no cost to the user through 澳门六合彩官网直播鈥檚 subscription 24/7, 365 days a year. It鈥檚 available in English, Spanish or French. 

Virtual agents around the world are available to view surroundings or documents when the user shares their smartphone camera or screen-shares on a computer. Access to a phone camera or computer screen allows agents to relay what they see back to the individual. Using GPS, these agents can also determine the user鈥檚 location and give directions and building information.

Some common activities agents can help with are sorting mail or papers, finding a seat on a bus, guiding a user to the end of a line, following directions or arranging a ride-share. The agents don鈥檛 provide tutoring but will read printed instructions. They can describe your surroundings but will not give instructions that might put a person in danger, such as if it is safe to cross a street.

First-year student Jisu Lee says access to Aira was a welcomed discovery when she arrived at 澳门六合彩官网直播 in the fall from South Korea. Lee, who is blind, says agents have helped her not only with homework but also can relay the colors of her outfits and confirm if items match before heading out.

鈥淚 have help in Valley Dining (from staff) to get a plate or find a table, but I call Aira to sort my mail, pick out what I am wearing,鈥 she says, adding she鈥檚 also taken Aira agents into Miller Auditorium. 鈥淚t is very helpful because if I didn鈥檛 have Aira, I wouldn鈥檛 feel comfortable going out to some places.鈥

Where to use Aira for free

Alicia Marques holds her phone with the Aira app displayed.
Alicia Marques displays the Aira app on her phone.

The service is available at no cost to the user on any Western property, including its Main, Parkview and East campuses, Kleinstuck Preserve in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek Aviation Center and 澳门六合彩官网直播-Grand Rapids.

Students who live off campus are allowed to use the Aira app for free for five minutes every 48 hours. Additionally, University students who need assistance outside of 澳门六合彩官网直播 properties can schedule a certain number of hours to use Aira at no cost through the Office of Disability Services for Students.

Other partners that support use of the app at no cost include McDonald鈥檚, Starbucks, Meijer, Target and the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

鈥淲e are bringing access to our institution for everyone who wants to come here,鈥 says Fraley-Burgett, adding there are currently about 45 visually impaired students enrolled at 澳门六合彩官网直播. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really just being someone鈥檚 eyes. Most students who are blind or visually impaired already know about Aira, and they have a lot of knowledge about how it helps. 澳门六合彩官网直播 can now make it available to anyone who visits us at any time.鈥

Learn more about Aira at .

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