Connecticut recently launched a pilot program that will provide the visually impaired with assistance using the public transportation system and other essential services.
The free service, called Aira, uses a smartphone’s camera to stream live video to an agent who provides the subscriber with access to visual information about their surroundings. They use the video to narrate and interpret what they see.
Information can include navigating a busy public transportation hub, accessing connecting services or using a ticket vending machine.
“We are excited to be part of this pilot program,” Amy Porter, Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability services commissioner, said. “This innovative technology provides real-time access to information, maximizing mobility, engagement, and independence for individuals who are blind or have low vision.”
The goal is to evaluate the service’s effectiveness to provide travel assistance and access to essential services. Once the evaluation is completed, a report will released.
Aira launched Friday and will run through March 15, 2023. Its launch corresponds with Blind Americans Equality Day.
The Connecticut Transportation Institute at the University of Connecticut is administering the program, which is a collaboration between the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, and the Federal Highway Administration.