USA | Walmart’s new pilot program and partnership with Aira, a mobile application, can help connect members of the blind and low-vision community.
Using remote access to a phone camera or wearable tech, Aira interpreters act as eyes inside the store—these sighted interpreters communicate visual information in real time.
As it has continued to bolster accessibility, Walmart has offered wayfinding services that are entirely free to customers.
“I think the thing they’re going to gain the most from our partnership is this demonstration to the world that Walmart and Aira do think about the customers they serve,” said Everette Bacon, the chief of blindness initiatives at Aira, who is blind himself.
“That’s a testament to the kind of service Walmart has provided for years and wants to continue to lead on.”
To members of the blind and low-vision community, a more accessible Walmart store has meant new opportunities. Aira's professional visual interpreters have been trained to offer objective feedback, leaving users entirely in control of their choices.
Since Aira has been offered free at Walmart, users are not limited in their questions as they try to understand what quippy message might be printed on a birthday card or whether the blue tie they’re holding is closer to teal or cerulean.
“Not having to depend on someone and take them away from their job duties, or ask a friend or family member, just to do this on my own time and my terms – it’s very freeing.”
Gayatri Agnew, head of Walmart’s Accessibility Center of Excellence, has ensured that Walmart is where people with disabilities want to shop.
Since 2023, the company has introduced or piloted various programs to fulfil the centre’s mission.
From the launch of sensory-friendly shopping hours across the entire fleet of stores and expanding adaptive product lines to the introduction of Caroline’s Carts and now a pilot and partnership to offer Aira at no cost to customers, Walmart has been placing the needs of its customers with disabilities at the very centre of its strategy.
“The reality is, we have tons of shoppers with disabilities who we want to make sure are having as good, if not better, of a shopping experience with us as someone who doesn’t have a disability,” said Agnew.
“At the core of that goal is ensuring all Walmart customers feel like they belong. That means no matter how or where they want to shop, from their local store or online, an option exists that empowers and enables them. After all, shopping should be for everyone.”
