Visual Interpreting with Aira Explorer App
We are thrilled to announce we are now an Aira Access Partner! This means that anyone visiting the Manitoba Museum 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.
Here’s How It Works
- Download Aira Explorer in the iOS App Store, on Google Play, or use the web app.
- Tap a button and your phone’s camera will stream a live video to one of Aira’s professional Visual Interpreters.
- The Visual Interpreter can describe in detail callers’ surroundings, narrate, navigate, or read aloud.
- Use the AccessAI feature to upload or take photos and receive instant AI descriptions, and even verify with a human Visual Interpreter.
Please note: At this time, Aira Explorer is not available for use in the Planetarium.
About Aira
At Aira, we believe access to information is a human right. Aira breaks down accessibility barriers by providing on-demand video remote interpreting for both the blind and low vision community, and the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. People can download the Aira Explorer app or the Aira ASL app and be instantly connected to a highly-trained professional interpreter. Available 24/7/365, interpreters work with callers to facilitate more efficient communication and accomplish tasks together. Aira’s services are offered by leading companies globally, and our commitment to accessibility has garnered substantial recognition including a 2025 Golden Apple Award from AppleVis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aira Explorer 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, on Google Play, 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.
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.
Aira can be used in the Museum Galleries, Science Gallery, the Foyer, the Parking Lot, and surrounding geofenced area, and for wayfinding assistance to a seat in the Planetarium. It is not available during Planetarium shows at this time.
We are currently working on a solution for Aira use in the Planetarium, but there are added considerations to factor in with license agreements, and sound and light conditions inside the dome.
Visual interpreters are trained to assist with an enormous breadth of tasks. Because the Manitoba Museum is an Aira Access Partner, the Visual Interpreters will have a map of our facility and can quickly assist with navigation. They can also assist with things such as:
- Locating washrooms, elevators, exits, or amenities
- Reading signage, labels, or maps
- Finding your way to a Planetarium seat (before the show)
- General orientation and wayfinding questions
Aira works using either cellular data or Wi-Fi.
The Manitoba Museum offers free public Wi-Fi, which visitors may use to access Aira while in the building. No password is required, just turn on the Wi-Fi settings on your device and select the “Museum Free Wi-Fi” network.
No, Aira is FREE for visitor use within the Manitoba Museum and surrounding geofenced area.
Aira’s Visual Interpreters are skilled professionals. They are certified and undergo comprehensive training to provide immediate information to our users and accomplish tasks as a team. They work remotely from home, pass a background check, sign a non-disclosure agreement and go through extensive training on orientation and mobility. They are not a replacement for a guide dog or white cane, but an additional feed of visual information.
Aira includes AccessAI, 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 AiraVerify to connect instantly with a human Visual Interpreter who can confirm it. Some popular uses of AccessAI include getting descriptions of menus, signs, printed materials, outfits, and price tags.
