Request to Restore Aira Access at ATL for Blind & Low-Vision Travelers

Information

Message

Dear Ms. Stripling,

My name is Armando Vias, and I frequently fly out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. I am writing to express my frustration regarding the lack of free Aira Access at ATL and to strongly urge the Department of Aviation to partner with Aira to provide independent visual navigation for passengers.

As you may be aware, Aira is a service that provides on-demand, remote visual interpretation for the blind and low-vision community to enhance independence and efficiency:

  • Live Assistance: A user opens the app to instantly connect with a professional visual interpreter who views their surroundings via their phone camera or smart glasses.
  • Real-Time Guidance: Interpreters audibly describe signage, navigate crowds, read displays, and guide travelers safely through complex environments.
  • Location-Based Sponsorship: Organizations become Aira Access Partners by establishing a digital geofence over their physical footprint, allowing any blind or low-vision person within that zone to use the service for free.
  • Federal Certification: Aira is HIPAA-compliant and listed on the Federal Government’s GSA schedule as a recognized Reasonable Accommodation.

Thousands of organizations and major transit hubs globally partner with Aira to foster inclusion. A full directory is available at https://aira.io/partners

Having Aira Access at ATL would drastically improve the travel experience. It allows visually impaired passengers to independently navigate from the North or South Domestic Terminals through TSA, find dining or retail, and reach their departure gate safely without fearing missed flights due to severe escort delays.

During my last trip through Atlanta on August 6, 2026, I waited over 30 minutes in the wheelchair room just to get an escort to my gate, causing me to miss my flight to DCA in the process. Furthermore, requesting airport assistance automatically defaults to assuming a passenger needs a wheelchair, which is not what I need. With Aira, I have full autonomy to navigate to TSA, request a TSA Cares specialist if needed, and reach my gate on my own terms—privately, efficiently, and independently.

I’ll be flying out of ATL next month. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how ATL can bring back Aira Access to lead the industry in accessible travel. Thank you for your time and dedication to serving all passengers.

Respectfully,
Armando Vias
Community Advocate & Disability Caucus Chair

Last Updated: Friday, August 28th, 2026 @ 3:00 pm Eastern Time

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Disclaimer

The letter above that was sent to companies and/or government agencies and is also posted to armandovias.com has been written with the sole purpose of advocating for and promoting equal access and inclusion of people with disabilities. The goal of these letters is to raise awareness about accessibility barriers that I face when navigating websites or out in the community and to encourage companies/government agencies to meet or exceed accessibility standards, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web-Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

These letters are posted on this website for documentation, educational, informational, and transparency purposes only, and these letters does not constitute legal advice.

These letters are intended as constructive feedback to assist companies/government agencies to identify and fix accessibility issue(s). They’re not designed to defame, disparage, or cause any harm to individual(s) or entities. My motivation of posting these letters is to foster a more inclusive environment for everyone.

While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information in these letters, the content(s) in each letter is based on my analysis and observations at the time of writing. I cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy/completeness of all information, and mistakes and omissions may occur.

The posting of these letters does not constitute a formal legal complaint, nor does it guarantee any specific legal action(s) or outcome. My objective is to encourage compliance and improvement(s) for providing equal access for all individuals.

My website (armandovias.com) and the views expressed in each letter are independent and do not represent any official legal or governmental authority. I encourage companies and/or government agencies to review my feedback carefully and to take proactive steps to ensure equal access for everyone. I believe that inclusion for all is a fundamental right for all companies and government agencies.

If you have any questions, or if you’d like to discuss the contents of a letter that’s posted on armandovias.com, contact me by replying directly to the email that the letter was sent from or call me by using the phone number that’s provided in the email.

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