Travelers with visual impairments using Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International Airports just got a digital helping hand. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has joined forces with visual interpreter service Aira, offering the user-friendly Aira app at no cost inside the airports, a move endorsed by the CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee who stated, "The Aira app is an invaluable tool that ensures passengers with disabilities feel welcome and comfortable navigating one of the world's busiest airport systems" in an announcement provided by the City of Chicago.
Passengers who download the app, sometimes referred to as “Explorer”, can connect instantly with a trained visual interpreter, who delivers navigating assistance based on camera views or screen-shared information, to sail through processes like check-in and security. They can locate a plethora of concessions as they move through the airport's sprawling terminals - the services are ready to be accessed at any time, around the clock. Commissioner Rachel Arfa of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities underlined the city's commitment saying "MOPD is proud to partner with CDA to get closer to our vision of making the City of Chicago the most accessible and inclusive city in the world."
According to the city's announcement, the tech is not limited to local turf—Aira is already a familiar sight in over 50 airports and transit systems and traces its digital footsteps across five countries. It has carved out significant space in sectors beyond transportation, such as finance, retail, and education, with heavy hitters like Starbucks, Amazon, and Bank of America leveraging its assistance for inclusivity. Troy Otillio, Aira’s CEO, communicated his company's enthusiasm for the partnership by saying, "The Chicago Department of Airports is dedicated to building an accessible and inclusive airport experience for all of their travelers, and we’re thrilled Aira is now a vital part of those efforts," stated by the City of Chicago.
