How The Everywhere AI Assistant 'ally' Made Studying for an Assistive Technology Exam Easier and More Effective
Hear from Hope Paulos' testimonial.
Hope Paulos, a certified assistive technology instructional specialist for people who are blind or have low vision, recently faced a significant milestone in her career: the Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) exam. The exam is a comprehensive test made up of 131 questions designed to assess knowledge and skills in supporting those with visual impairments. While Hope was excited about the challenge, she also knew it would require thorough preparation. Hope is also a part of our beta tester community for 'ally', which previously had 'Envision Assistant' as a working name. Hope leaned on her 'ally' to step in and help her study.
What is 'ally'?
ally is an AI assistant we designed to be helpful for everyone, especially people who are blind or have low vision. Available on Envision Glasses, smartphones, or the web, ally is easy to use and adaptable to individual needs. From providing quick answers to offering customized advice, ally is always ready to help. ally will soon be available on smartphones as an app and on the Envision Glasses.
For Hope, ally became more than just an AI tool—she became a trusted companion during her study sessions.
Practicing with ally
In preparation for the exam, Hope decided to use ally to simulate real test questions. She asked Ally to present her with a sample scenario similar to those found in the CATIS exam. Ally quickly provided a situation involving a student learning to use a screen reader, complete with multiple-choice answers.
Listen to her testimonial she shared with us:
Hope chose the option where she would sit with the student and demonstrate the commands of the screen reader, guiding them through practice. ally immediately responded with encouraging feedback, confirming that Hope’s approach was the most effective one. The interaction not only reassured her but also reinforced her confidence in handling real-world scenarios.
Why ally Stood Out
What stood out to Hope was ally’s ability to provide fast, personalized responses tailored to her specific study needs. Whether answering practice questions or offering insights into assistive technology, Ally was like a helpful friend, always there to lend support.
ally is built to assist people in various ways, and Envision has ensured that the AI is accessible to everyone, including those who are blind or have low vision. This inclusivity made ally a perfect fit for Hope’s exam preparation and professional needs.
The Outcome
Thanks to ally, Hope was able to prepare effectively and passed her CATIS exam with confidence. Having a responsive, intuitive AI by her side made all the difference in tackling such a challenging test.
If you’re looking for a supportive, easy-to-use assistant, ally might be just what you need to help brighten your day and make life a little easier.
