Walmart Rolls Out New Technology to Help the Visually Impaired

People with disabilities, like anyone else, seek the opportunity to live their lives with dignity and independence.

They want to be seen and treated as individuals who can fully participate in society, contributing to their communities and achieving their goals. Rather than being defined by their disabilities, they prefer to be valued for their abilities and potential. By fostering environments of inclusion, respect, and accessibility, society can ensure that everyone has an equal chance to succeed and live life to the fullest.

Thanks to recent advances in technology many people are able to live much more independent lives, despite their impairment.

Thanks to a new app, visually impaired shoppers will soon have a much easier time shopping at Walmart stores across the country.

According to a press release from the retail giant's corporate office, Walmart has now partnered with an app called Aira. The app is meant to allow users greater independence.

How Aira Works

Users first need to download the app to their Android phone or iPhone. The first time they open the app they will either need to sign up for a plan or select a partner business.

When the user needs assistance they open the app and are connected to an Aira employee who, using a video feed provided by the app (using the phone's camera), guides them where they need to go and aids them in completing tasks.

While it shows how the service can help college students, the following video does a good job of showing how the app works.

Currently, the app's partners include dozens of colleges, several large retailers, many museums, and a long list of major airports (including Logan International Airport).

Even if you are not visiting a partner business, you can still use the app to help you complete tasks. There are several pay tiers for those who are looking to use the app for that purpose. You can learn more HERE.

The newest retail partner is Walmart.

Walmart.com

How Can Aira Be Used at Walmart?

The app will give visually impaired shoppers much more independence when they visit the store. They can tell the Aira employee what products they need to purchase and the employee can vocally guide them to the items they are looking to purchase.

It appears that the Aira app is now available for use at all Walmart locations.

Here are the 22 stores in Maine: