Sydney Airport has now launched a partnership with Aira, a service that enables blind and low vision travellers to confidently navigate the airport through a smartphone connection.
The free service for passengers works via a smartphone app on any iOS or Android device. The app connects the traveller to a trained professional called an Aira Agent, who then provides on-demand, personalised access to visual information.
Jack Tyrrell, a regular Sydney-based traveller, used Aira for the first time recently while departing Sydney Airport. “When I need to go to the airport, I normally just go straight from the train station to my boarding gate, as I’m not able to distinguish what’s around. Using Aira for the first time, I was able to learn where things were and realised the full offering of the airport,” said Mr Tyrrell.
Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton said that the technology makes the world instantly more accessible as more than 380,000 people in Australia are blind or have low vision. “It’s always pleasing when organisations take steps to improve accessibility and Sydney Airport becoming an Aira Access location is great news.”
