ROCHESTER, NY—The Strong National Museum of Play today announced it will offer free access to the app Aira to increase accessibility for guests who are blind or have low-vision.
Aira is an app that provides on-demand, remote visual interpreting services for the blind and low vision community. Museum guests can download the app on a mobile device, press a button, and live stream video to one of Aira’s professional Visual Interpreters. The Visual Interpreter can then explain the caller’s surroundings, describe, narrate, navigate, or read out loud. Guests can also take advantage of Access AI, Aira’s image chat feature, by uploading an image to receive a detailed AI generated description.
“Play is universal, and accessibility and inclusion are an important part of everything the museum does,” said Steve Dubnik, president and CEO of The Strong. “Partnering with Aira allows guests who are blind or have low vision to more easily navigate the museum and more fully engage with our displays, exhibits, workshops, and interactives.”
Aira will be available on-demand to anyone within The Strong National Museum of Play, at no cost. Museum guests and the Visual Interpreter can work together to navigate exhibits, understand layout and atmosphere, fully engage with interactive displays, and participate in events and workshops. Aira can be downloaded for Android or iPhone, and the service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, with no advance reservations required. Aira is one of many resources The Strong National Museum of Play offers to guests to ensure an accessible and inclusive experience.
About The Strong National Museum of Play
The Strong® is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play.
About Aira
Aira was founded on the belief that access to information is a human right. In this spirit, the Aira app provides on-demand, remote visual interpretation for the blind and low vision community. People can download Aira, press a button, and their phone camera will stream a live video to a highly skilled visual interpreter. The Aira visual interpreter can then assist by explaining the caller’s surroundings, describing, narrating, navigating, or reading. Aira visual interpreters draw on their extensive training and experience to assist with a vast range of daily tasks and enhance callers’ independence and efficiency. Aira is available for Android or iPhone. See Aira in action here.