Fla.’s Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is partnering with visual interpreting service Aira to increase accessibility for blind and low-vision transit users.

Anyone using JTA services will be able to access the Aira app for free and connect with a highly-trained visual interpreter to get them to their destination with more independence and efficiency.

This partnership is part of JTA’s ongoing commitment to create safe, reliable, and innovative mobility solutions for all residents.

JTA and Aira’s Partnership

Transit users can connect with an Aira agent in the app who can securely access their smartphone’s camera and communicate valuable visual information.

Aira can be used in a broad range of ways to empower blind or low vision transit users to travel through Northeast Florida with more autonomy. Some examples of tasks an Aira agent could assist with include locating the Skyway Monorail ticket kiosk, distinguishing the express bus from the regular, or finding the most direct pedestrian route to a transit stop.

JTA Increasing Mobility

JTA endeavors to make the entire mobility experience accessible, and in this spirit has made Aira available for the full breadth of any transit outing. This means Aira can be used for pre-trip tasks all the way to returning home safely at the end of the day.

Aira is already offered for free by many forward-thinking transit authorities and airports across North America who understand the importance of accessibility for their users.

"The JTA is proud to offer free access to on-demand visual interpreters to our patrons through our partnership with Aira,” said JTA CEO Nat Ford. “The JTA is committed to providing dignified mobility services that restore independence for all transit users in the communities we serve.”