Aira

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is thrilled to announce we are now an Aira Access Partner!

Anyone using transit in Allegheny County can open the Aira app on their phone and connect free of charge with a professional visual interpreter. The visual interpreter will access the caller's phone camera and describe, narrate, navigate, and read aloud to assist. Aira is available 24/7/365, and no advance reservations are required.

Get the Aira app for Google Play, iOS, or use the web app and begin accessing on-demand visual interpreting today!

What is Aira?

Aira is an app that provides on-demand, remote visual interpreting for the blind and low vision community to enhance their independence and efficiency. People can download the Aira app in the iOS App Store or Google Play store, or use the web app. They then press a button, and their phone's camera will stream a live video to one of Aira’s highly skilled visual interpreters. The visual interpreter can then describe in detail the caller’s surroundings, narrate, navigate, or read aloud. Aira’s visual interpreters draw on their extensive training and experience to assist with a vast range of daily tasks.

What is visual interpreting?

Visual interpreting is the process by which a trained, sighted individual describes visual information for a person who is blind or has low vision. Aira’s visual interpreters undergo rigorous training on orientation and mobility, and use detailed descriptions to assist callers—who we refer to as Explorers—in accessing more information about their surroundings. Visual interpreting is collaborative, with the interpreter and Explorer working together to accomplish tasks.

What tasks can visual interpreting assist with?

Visual interpreters are trained to assist with an enormous breadth of tasks! Anytime you face a barrier because you are unable to access visual information, they can help. Some popular tasks include navigating around work, school, or public transit, getting descriptions at concerts and live events, and reading printed materials. Because Pittsburgh Regional Transit is an Aira Access Partner, the visual interpreters will have a map of our transit network, and can quickly assist with navigation.

Does Aira include any AI tools?

Aira includes Access AI, an innovative image chat tool. Simply upload or take a photo, and the tool will automatically generate an AI description. Then, you can use your phone’s spoken text feature to listen to the description, or magnify it. Want verification that the AI response was accurate? Simply use Aira Verify to connect instantly with a human visual interpreter who can confirm it. Use Access AI to get descriptions of a vast range of images, like menus, signs, printed materials, outfits, or price tags, just to name a few.

How you can download Aira

Download Aira in the iOS App Store or Google Play store, or use the web app.

Anybody using Pittsburgh Regional Transit services can open the Aira app and connect to a professional visual interpreter free of charge.