Category: Series: Accessing Visual Information, June 2021

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Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Recreation Resources Series: Accessing Visual Information, June 2021

KNFB Reader

The fifth in a five-part series: Accessing Visual Information Series.

We are surrounded by visual information, but it’s not always accessible. This month, the Bridges Helpdesk explores tools that put access to that visual information at your fingertips.

In this fifth installment of the series, we learn about KNFB Reader.

What is KNFB Reader?

KNFB Reader is an app which reads print information aloud to users who have print disabilities. The text can also be read using a Braille display. The app has text detection and tactile feedback to help the user ensure that they are capturing all of the text in the photo. It also features highlighting capabilities for those with low vision or other print disabilities for which pinpointing text would be useful.

How Much does KNFB Reader Cost?

KNFB Reader is available for all Apple products, as well as for Android and Windows 10. It is $99.99. Since KNFB Reader can help individuals read school assignments and important work documents, many universities, employers, and VR agencies have been known to purchase this app for individuals.

KNFB Reader Features

KNFB Reader features a variety of useful options, including:

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

June: Accessing Visual Information Series

Part 1: About Aira

Part 2: Accessing Aira

Part 3: Aira in Action

Part 4: Seeing AI

Part 5: KNFB Reader

Categories
Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Recreation Resources Series: Accessing Visual Information, June 2021

Seeing AI

The fourth in a five-part series: Accessing Visual Information Series.

We are surrounded by visual information, but it’s not always accessible. This month, the Bridges Helpdesk explores tools that put access to that visual information at your fingertips.

In this fourth installment of the series, we find out about Seeing AI, a free tool to access visual information that is available only on iOS devices.

What is Seeing AI?

Seeing AI is an artificial intelligence application which can identify text, objects, and colors for people who are blind or low vision. This app is available in 16 languages.

Seeing AI is available for free from the Apple App Store. However, at this time, Seeing AI is not available for use on Android devices.

Short Text Mode

This mode is extremely useful because it recognizes text without requiring the user to take a photograph. Simply open the app, make sure the “short text” mode is selected at the bottom of the screen, and point the camera where you think the text appears. As soon as the application detects text, it will begin reading. Are you too far down the page? No problem. You can move the camera to a different orientation until you get the information from the document that you need. This mode is great for reading mail, school assignments, notes, menus, and receipts.

Other Modes of Seeing AI

Seeing AI has many other modes, including:

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

June: Accessing Visual Information Series

Part 1: About Aira

Part 2: Accessing Aira

Part 3: Aira in Action

Part 4: Seeing AI

Part 5: KNFB Reader

Categories
Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Series: Accessing Visual Information, June 2021

Aira in Action

We are surrounded by visual information, but it’s not always accessible. This month, the Bridges Helpdesk explores tools that put access to that visual information at your fingertips.

In this third installment of the series, we join Bridges Helpdesk Program Coordinator Hindley Williams as she takes us through the Aira experience on our YouTube channel.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

June: Accessing Visual Information Series

Part 1: About Aira

Part 2: Accessing Aira

Part 3: Aira in Action

Part 4: Seeing AI

Part 5: KNFB Reader

Categories
Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Series: Accessing Visual Information, June 2021

Accessing Aira

The second in a five-part series: Accessing Visual Information Series.

We are surrounded by visual information, but it’s not always accessible. This month, the Bridges Helpdesk explores tools that put access to that visual information at your fingertips.

In this second installment of the series, we find out about how to get Aira, where it is free, and how to subscribe to the service.

Getting started with Aira

All you need to get started with Aira is a smartphone or tablet with a camera. You can download the Aira app for free in the App Store (for iOS devices) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices). You’ll also need either a mobile phone number or an email to set up a free account. If you need help, call 1-800-835-1934 or go to AIRA’s website to get a link to download the app. Using this method, you will open a Guest account (they are free).

Aira Has Free Options!

Aira is free to all users for one call for up to five minutes every 24 hours. Paid subscribers get five minutes free every four hours. In addition, there are a variety of free promotions that users can enjoy:

Aira Plans

If you do decide that you need more time using Aira, you can elect to purchase one of the following monthly plans. Note that since Aira can help with reading print and other visual tasks, many employers or colleges will pay for Aira for blind and low vision individuals as a reasonable accommodation:

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

June: Accessing Visual Information Series

Part 1: About Aira

Part 2: Accessing Aira

Part 3: Aira in Action

Part 4: Seeing AI

Part 5: KNFB Reader

Categories
Accessible Assistive Technology Resources Bridges Blog Educational Resources Employment Resources Independent Living Resources Information Resources Series: Accessing Visual Information, June 2021

About Aira

The first in a five-part series: Accessing Visual Information Series.

We are surrounded by visual information, but it’s not always accessible. This month, the Bridges Helpdesk explores tools that put access to that visual information at your fingertips.

In this first installment of the series, we find out about Aira, a tool to access visual information.

What is Aira?

Aira is a service where you can call an agent in real time to assist you with tasks in which visual information might be helpful. Agents have undergone rigorous training and have been through various clearances and background checks so that you can feel confident that your information and privacy will be protected throughout all Aira calls.

How Do I Use Aira?

Using the camera on your phone, the agent can provide you with information about your environment or answer visual questions for you at your request.

How Can Aira Help Me in School or on the Job?

Aira has a number of great uses, including but certainly not limited to:

  • Being a reader for menus, books, important documents, and written signs in your surroundings
  • Providing assistance with navigating or getting information from inaccessible web sites (we recommend downloading Team Viewer to your computer for this purpose)
  • Assistance with taking photos, formatting documents, and so much more!

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

June: Accessing Visual Information Series

Part 1: About Aira

Part 2: Accessing Aira

Part 3: Aira in Action

Part 4: Seeing AI

Part 5: KNFB Reader