New Mexico State University’s Disability Access Services has partnered with Aira, a remote visual interpretation service for the blind and low-vision community, and T-Mobile Accessibility to provide more accessibility through a free app now available at all NMSU campuses across the state.
The Aira app, downloadable via the Apple App Store or Google Play, outlines geo-fenced zones where users can access Aira at no cost. This will enable users on all campuses to access live visual interpreting services to help students and visitors navigate the grounds and buildings of NMSU’s main Las Cruces campus, Doña Ana Community College campuses, NMSU Alamogordo, and NMSU Grants.
“Given the experiences of some blind and low-vision students who attend or live on campus, there’s an added effort needed to navigate campus that other students don’t face,” said Aaron Salas, director of NMSU Disability Access Services. “Some have to rely primarily on orientation, training – they have to learn every path to every class... So having this type of service is something we’re very excited about.”
“When we think about the service, we wanted to try and make it very low friction and easy,” said Troy Otillio, CEO of Aira. “You can put in an address or coordinates... like a light switch, it will turn on access for any campus.”
The Aira app connects users to trained visual interpreters who assist with tasks like reading a class syllabus or new assignment through their smartphone camera.
Salas and Otillio noted that some blind and low-vision students enroll in online classes to avoid navigating the campus. Others are more likely to stop attending after their freshman year due to challenges they face. The goal of this service is to make in-person degree paths more accessible and improve overall experiences at NMSU for vision-challenged students.
“New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is serving students near us in Alamogordo and Albuquerque... we’re hoping that this will encourage students to come and enroll,” said Salas.
Since many students transfer between NMSU’s community college and main campuses, Salas emphasized making the experience seamless for them by ensuring they know what services are available for those needing accessibility accommodations.
“As we started learning more about services, we’ve upgraded equipment,” Salas said. “Accessibility is part of our LEADS 2025 strategic plan...”
For more information about Aira: https://aira.io
For more information about NMSU Disability Access Services: https://studentlife.nmsu.edu/disability-access-services1/index.html
For more information about T-Mobile Accessibility: https://tmobileaccess.com