OOD to Provide Aira at Upcoming Conventions

 

Berna King, OOD Program Manager for the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, providing an Aira demonstration to Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted at the Ohio State Fair.

 

OOD is pleased to provide support for two upcoming conventions for individuals who are blind or have low vision. 

 

Thanks to OOD, attendees who are blind or have low vision can use Aira — which stands for Access to Information Remote Assistance — to connect, for free, to a remote agent via a cell phone or through specially-fashioned glasses. Both the application and the glasses allow the agent to access visual information, which is especially helpful for navigating a large, unfamiliar area. The agent can also locate users through GPS and direct them to places of interest. Through the device’s camera, the agent can also aid users in tasks such as setting temperature controls in the hotel room or locating and identifying objects. 

 

Aira will be available at the American Council of the Blind of Ohio (ACB Ohio) and Indiana convention, November 10-12 at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North – Worthington. The convention, which is geared toward people who are blind or have low vision and their families, will include presentations on “defying expectations,” escape room adventures, and informative workshops. More information is available on the ACB Ohio convention webpage. 

 

The 77^th Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBOH), November 17-19, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbus/Worthington, will also offer Aira to participants. The upcoming convention, centered around the theme "Stronger Together," features a technology fair, general sessions, and breakout seminars. More information is available on the NFBOH convention webpage.