The USA’s Charles M Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS) has announced that its terminal facilities now feature Aira Access, a free app for blind or low-vision passengers.
Aira, which was also recently adopted by London Gatwick Airport, gives blind and low-vision airport guests and passengers instant access to highly trained professionals who provide visual information for virtually any task – including navigating through the airport terminal.
Passengers use the app to connect with an Aira agent who uses the live video stream from the passenger’s smartphone camera to provide visual information on demand. The app enables blind and low-vision users to independently check flight status, find gates and luggage, use self-service kiosks, navigate through TSA checkpoints, and locate the airport restaurants and other services.
Aira is available for iOS or Android phones. Users sign up by completing a brief registration and placing a call to an agent. The service automatically becomes available when users visit STS, sending the traveler a notification when they enter the airport. Anyone with a smartphone can use Aira while at STS.
Aira Access is available at more than 30 airports nationwide, among them London Heathrow and New Zealand’s Wellington Airport. Aira is also available for free at Walgreens pharmacies, Wegmans grocery stores, AT&T retail stores, and hundreds of other locations across the USA.