AIRA Shield

AIRA Shield is a service designed to break down barriers and improve accessibility for people who are blind, have low vision, are Deaf, or have hearing impairments. The core idea behind AIRA Shield is that everyone should have access to information and communication. Many organizations work with AIRA Shield to provide its services at no cost to their employees, students, or customers, helping to create more inclusive spaces.

Benefits

AIRA Shield offers significant advantages by providing instant access to visual information and communication support. For individuals who are blind or have low vision, it connects them with trained visual interpreters who can describe their surroundings and provide information verbally. For the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, it offers on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and real-time captioning, making communication smoother.

Use Cases

AIRA Shield has two main applications. AIRA Explorer is for individuals who are blind or have low vision. It allows them to connect remotely with visual interpreters who can help them with tasks by describing what they see. This service is available for free at many locations worldwide. AIRA ASL is for people who use American Sign Language. It provides instant access to ASL interpreters and live captioning through a simple tap on an app. This helps bridge communication gaps in public places and is offered for free at certain locations in North America.

Vibes

Organizations that partner with AIRA Shield are looking to make their workplaces, educational institutions, and public services more accessible. They aim to provide better support for employees, customers, and students with disabilities, improving both digital and physical environments. The service is seen as a valuable tool for fostering inclusivity and ensuring equal access to information and communication.