Aira Visual Interpreting Services
The University of Cincinnati is proud to offer Aira Visual Interpreting Services at no cost to the community. Through UC’s partnership with Aira, students, employees, families, alumni, and visitors can access free, on‑demand visual interpreting support across all UC campuses.
Intro to Aira Visual Interpreting
Using Aira at UC
UC is an Aira Access Partner, so you can use Aira Explorer and connect with a visual interpreter free of charge on any of our campuses, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call Aira from an Access Partner location (within a geofence), the offer will automatically be applied.
If you are at a UC campus location and the geofence is not automatically detected, contact the Aira support team to access the UC offer.
Get Started with Aira
Step 1: Access the Aira App
Get the Aira Explorer App for Google Play, iOS, or use the Aira web app.
Step 2: Connect with a Visual Interpreter
Select "Call an Aira agent to initiate service from a trained Aira visual interpreter. With the press of a button, your phone's camera will stream a live video to one of Aira's highly skilled visual interpreters.
Step 3: Get real-time visual assistance
Tell the Aira agent how they can help you. The visual interpreter can describe in detail your surroundings, narrate, navigate, or read aloud.
FAQ
Aira is a visual interpreting service that makes visual information accessible for people who are blind or have low vision, or for any person with a disability who may benefit from verbal descriptions of visual information. Visual interpreting conveys vital information through verbal communication.
Aira connects callers with trained, sighted agent who can describe visual information at the caller's request. Aira’s visual interpreters undergo rigorous training on orientation and mobility, and use detailed descriptions to assist callers in accessing more information about their surroundings. Visual interpreting is collaborative, with the interpreter and the caller working together to accomplish tasks.
Aira’s visual interpreters draw on their extensive training and experience to assist with a vast range of daily tasks. Any time you face a barrier because you are unable to access visual information, you can call on Aira.
Tasks that visual interpreters can assist with include:
- Navigating around campus
- Using public transit
- Reading printed or digital materials like signage, menus, product labels, etc.
- Identifying food items in dining halls
- Locating items
- Navigating crowded spaces
- Finding a classroom
- Reading board work or presentations in class
- Acquiring descriptions of images or videos
- Getting audio descriptions at live events like performances, ceremonies, and sporting events
The Aira support team is available daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern Time using the contact methods below.
Email: support@aira.io
Phone: 1-800-835-1934
Text message: 1-858-242-4457
For general inquiries about Aira at the University of Cincinnati, please contact Accessibility Resources at AccessResources@uc.edu or via phone at 513-556-6823.
- Aira is not a safety device and cannot replace your mobility aid.
- If you generally use a mobility aid (white cane, guide dog or sighted guide), it is recommend that you use your mobility aid when traveling with Aira.
- Agents cannot tell you when it’s safe to cross a street, but they can tell you the color of the light, give you a description of the layout and give you pedestrian signal information when the information is available.
- Once you enter the intersection, parking lot or other scenarios where pedestrians and vehicles are nearby, your agent will remain quiet unless you explicitly ask for information. When agents provide information in these scenarios, they will provide simple and short verbal information so you can focus on using your senses including hearing.
Use of Aira is between the end user and Aira Tech Corp. Users must agree to Aira’s Terms of Service (“Terms”) and Privacy Policy. Read the Terms carefully before using Aira.
Using Aira indicates that you accept and agree to be bound by the Terms. Do not use Aira if you do not accept the Terms.