When I wrote the first version of this post on using Aira with low vision, I had been using the first version of Aira’s smart glasses for blind and low vision users for a little over six months. I was first introduced to Aira Explorer and Aira visual interpreting services while attending an assistive technology conference in 2017, and I started using the Aira smart glasses a few weeks later on my college campus. Over the years, I have received free Aira service through their now-defunct Back to School program and through Aira Access locations/promotions and have also paid for monthly Aira plans to help me with navigating various independent living tasks as someone with low vision. My Aira usage over the years has fluctuated as I have developed other strategies for accessing information with low vision and used other visual assistance apps, but I still have the Aira app installed on my Android phone and use it at Aira Access locations to help with independently navigating unfamiliar places. Here is an overview of what to expect when using Aira with low vision, and tips for using Aira for students with visual impairments.
Disclaimer
This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own and do not reflect any past or present employers.
I previously received free Aira service from 2018-2019 through the now-defunct Back to School program with Aira, which provided verified college and university students with a set number of Aira minutes each month. Additionally, I spoke at an Aira-sponsored event in 2018 about using visual assistance tools like Aira on a college campus, and how I had used Aira to navigate a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. I also participated in an Aira video in 2018 where I demonstrated the use of Aira’s wayfinding technologies on my college campus, which was not sponsored; I did not receive payment or discounts for my participation in this video since I was already a member of the Back-to-School program. I have not been in contact with anyone who works at Aira (other than visual interpreters) since 2020.
Starting in 2021, my college became an Aira Access location, allowing all students with visual impairments to access Aira for free. I was not involved in this decision and found out about the Aira announcement at the same time as everyone else.
Overview of Aira Explorer
Aira (also known as Aira Explorer) is a paid service that connects blind and low vision users with professional HIPAA-compliant visual interpreters that serve as remote human guides, assisting users with tasks such as finding a classroom, choosing an item at the store, calling a rideshare service, or getting from one location to another by foot; Aira interpreters have access to the user’s location and can follow a map in real time. Aira can be used in addition to other mobility aids such as guide dogs, blindness canes (white canes), human guides, or tactile labels to assist users with wayfinding or accessing visual information.
Aira Explorer uses one-way video and two-way audio so users can take photos or stream video to the remote visual interpreter and communicate with them in real time. Users access Aira with their personal devices and data plans using tools such as:
- Aira Explorer app for iOS
- Aira Explorer app for Android
- Smart glasses that support streaming video
- Aira web application
Aira services are available through a monthly plan, though Aira services can also be used at no cost at select “Aira Access” locations. Aira is available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Users must be at least 18 years old to use Aira; for users under 18, a parent or guardian can contact Aira for more information about using Aira services.
Related links
- Aira | Download Aira Explorer
- Aira Explorer iOS app
- Aira Explorer Android app
- Aira web application (no download required)
How to get Aira Explorer and Aira access for free
While Aira offers paid personal plans starting at $26 USD per month for 20 minutes, there are several ways to use Aira Explorer for free. In lieu of or in addition to a paid plan, users can access Aira Explorer free of charge when performing specific tasks or at specific locations, which can be helpful for saving money on monthly plans since these minutes won’t count towards paid usage. Users can find the most up-to-date free Aira access offers by selecting the “apply a free offer” option in the Aira app.
Examples of ways to get free Aira access include:
- Limited-time or ongoing promotions that provide free access to Aira agents. For example, there is an ongoing promotion for users accessing Intuit QuickBooks, and there have been other limited time offers for users doing tasks related to voting, taking care of pets, or shopping for gifts
- Going to an Aira Access location, which offers Aira access to users that open the Aira Explorer app and use it on the premises. Examples of Aira Access locations include Target, Wegmans, Walmart, and several airports and museums.
- Partnerships with state vocational rehabilitation providers, which can provide clients with free Aira Explorer access for performing employment-related tasks
- Local, state, and government programs that are Aira Access partners can provide approved users with Aira access free of charge. A complete listing of Aira Access partners can be found online; scroll to “Aira Explorer” for information on blind and low vision Aira access.
- Students with visual impairments can apply for Aira Access accounts at participating colleges and universities to use Aira free of charge. This option may also be available for remote and off-campus students; contact Disability Services or the assistive technology office for more details.
While the Aira minutes are free, users are responsible for having their own devices and any associated data charges that may incur from using Aira. Users will need to download the Aira Explorer app and create a free Aira account in order to use the service.
Related links
- Aira | Our Access Partners
- Vocational Rehabilitation for College Students
- Ten Things To Know About Going To College With A Blindness Cane
- Accessible Maps and Wayfinding Tools For Low Vision
- What To Know About College Assistive Technology Specialists
What to expect from Aira, and what not to expect from Aira
Visual assistance apps like Aira Explorer can be helpful for a variety of tasks, but they are not a replacement for orientation and mobility skills or other skills related to assistive technology and independent living. It’s important to use Aira Explorer responsibly and to be realistic about what types of tasks Aira can and cannot assist with, as well as learn how to use visual assistance apps in a safe and effective way.
Here are examples of how I have used Aira with low vision, and what to expect from different tasks:
- Navigating the airport with low vision, including directions to the gate, identifying the car/taxi for pick-up, locating luggage on carousel
- Walking to class and navigating construction on walkways, including finding an alternative route to class
- Picking up items at the drug store or reading labels at the pharmacy
- Finding items in a large store and describing visual details of items
- Describing low-resolution or blurry graphics on assignments or online content. Aira staff cannot interpret graphs or provide answers to exam questions, and can only describe what items look like
- Locating items in a hotel, including meeting areas and finding items in a hotel room
- Browsing exhibit halls and reading signs at a conference
- Reading forms; I would write or type answers while the interpreter read each question/form label
- Reading large amounts of text or items on the board
While there are many places where Aira can be used, there are some situations and places where Aira cannot provide visual assistance either due to their own policies or because of federal laws. Examples of places where Aira cannot be used include:
- Public bathrooms
- Crosswalks; while Aira can be on, it cannot provide information about when it is safe to cross the street
- Situations that are inappropriate or uncomfortable for the interpreter, as mentioned in the Terms of Service. A visual interpreter cannot and will not tell a user whether a situation is safe or unsafe.
When using Aira on public transportation or other locations where people cannot consent to being recorded, I recommend that users start each Aira call or session by saying “please stop recording” or opt-out of recording sessions; this must be done for each call, though users can also contact Aira to opt-out of recordings on their account. By default, Aira session recordings are kept for at least 18 months in a database with broad usage rights. Users will still be able to talk with agents, though their session recording will not be saved.
Related links
- Airport Security and Low Vision
- Navigating Campus Construction: College O&M
- Assistive Technology For Medication Labels
- Purposes of Media Descriptions for Visual Impairment
- Hotel Familiarization and Low Vision
- Filling Out Medical Forms With Low Vision
- Low Vision Assistive Technology For The Bathroom
Participating in Aira Explorer sessions and calling Aira with low vision
Wondering what to expect when calling Aira or how to make the most of an Aira session? Here is what to expect when using Aira visual interpreting and communicating with visual interpreters.
Documenting user preferences for Aira Explorer
Before using Aira Explorer for the first time, users will complete a brief questionnaire about their access needs and preferences. This can include indicating whether someone is blind or has some residual vision, type(s) of mobility aids they use, and how they prefer to receive directions or instructions. This information is used to create a profile, which will be visible to the Aira visual interpreters who are assisting the user during a session.
Setting up devices for Aira Explorer
Users will need to download the Aira Explorer app to their smartphone or set up the Aira app on the device of their choice. To stream video during an Aira call, the user will need to position their device’s camera in front of the item or environment they want to access, as well as be able to listen to/respond to the Aira visual interpreter. Some options for using Aira Explorer with a smartphone can include:
- Holding the phone with one hand and listening to the Aira visual interpreter on speaker (not ideal in public places)
- Wearing bone-conducting headphones or wireless earbuds to listen to visual interpreter
- Placing a smartphone in a lanyard pocket or other hands-free device
I personally prefer to use Aira with bone-conducting headphones and place it in a lanyard pocket when I can, so I can use my phone hands-free and remain aware of my surroundings. If I am outside, I typically have my blindness cane (white cane) in my right hand, so keeping my left hand free is helpful.
Starting an Aira session with audio/video
Users can start an Aira Explorer session directly from the app home screen, which will start streaming from their device’s back camera. In my experience, it takes less than a minute to connect with an Aira visual interpreter.
One the Aira agent begins the call, the user can tell the interpreter what they need help with, and mention whether they would like the call to be streamed on a public or private page so that other people can listen in. Aira calls are not streamed by default, but having a stream allows other users to listen to what the agent has to say, which can be helpful for people traveling in a group.
Starting an Aira session with messaging
Instead of talking to the visual interpreter, another option is to use the Messages option to communicate with the interpreter via texting using the in-app chat. Users can still have the agent talk to them during a call if they are using Messages, or they can request that the agent help them only through text.
Performing tasks during Aira sessions
Aira visual interpreters can help with a variety of tasks related to accessing visual information and making information accessible. This can include:
- Reading or describing items. Aira agents can read text verbatim from a book, poster, website, or other printed media, and can also provide visual descriptions of images for people who have difficulty seeing them.
- Providing directions. During the call, the Aira agent can see where the user is on a GPS map, or for supported areas a map of the building they are in. The agent can provide verbal directions to help the user find where they need to go, or call for a ridesharing service and locate the taxi/ridesharing vehicle.
- Identifying items. If the user needs help with identifying items in their home or at a store, Aira agents can look at items through the phone camera and identify them, as well as read labels. If they are in a store, the Aira agent can also help users figure out where various aisles are, read menus, or locate other areas.
- Taking photos. With the user’s consent, Aira agents can take photos during the call and have the photos be available after the call in the Photos inbox, which is located in the app. Users can save photos to their phone directly from the inbox.
How long are Aira Explorer sessions?
The length of Aira sessions will depend on the task; going through the airport would likely take longer than shopping for groceries or picking out clothes to wear. Users can hang up and restart Aira sessions multiple times, though there is no guarantee they will get the same agent when they call back. My Aira calls typically last around 5-10 minutes.
Related links
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Covers and Cases
- How To Be An Effective Human Guide For People With Vision Loss
- Tips For Using A Human Guide At A Conference
- Smartphone Apps For Orientation and Mobility
- Ways To Use Visual Assistance Apps For Virtual Classes
Other resources for using Aira with low vision
- Several years ago, Aira started offering virtual tours and audio description for various locations on their YouTube channel, including the San Diego Zoo, Presidential Pet Museum, and events like the royal wedding. These tours can be found at Afternoon at the Museum with Aira- YouTube
- Aira Explorer is the name of the Aira service for blind and low vision users; this is different from Aira ASL, which provides remote interpreting for sign language.
- Interested in learning more about other visual interpreting apps? Check out All About Visual Assistance Apps For Visually Impaired
Published June 13, 2018. Updated October 2025