How A Blind Teacher Uses ally to Learn, Teach & Access Visual Information More Independently
Meet Mark Olaiz!
Mark Olaiz, a blind teacher and advocate for people with blindness or low vision, uses Envision Glasses and ally, an AI-powered assistant, to overcome daily challenges and enrich his professional and personal life.
A Career Built on Helping Others
Mark started his career teaching preschool but transitioned to working with high school students. Now, he's pursuing vocational rehabilitation services to assist people who are blind or have low vision like him. His teaching role involves tutoring, mentoring, and guiding students to make up academic hours—a job where adaptability and resourcefulness are key.
Discovering Envision
Mark first learned about Envision through its mobile app, but the real game-changer came when he received the Envision Glasses last Christmas. Funded by the Texas Workforce Commission, the glasses were a transformative gift, enabling him to excel in both his teaching and his secondary job at a grocery store.
"The glasses have been a big game-changer for me, both professionally and personally," Mark shares.
ally: His Teaching Assistant and Study Buddy
ally, a feature available on the Envision Glasses, has become an invaluable tool for Mark. In his teaching role, ally helps with lesson planning, grading, and reading materials. Mark describes it as a “study buddy” that makes his work more efficient and helps him tailor his lessons to meet his students’ needs.
For example, ally reads textbooks and lesson plans aloud, and even provides suggestions for rephrasing concepts to make them clearer for students. Mark also uses ally for everyday tasks like navigating his classroom, identifying objects, and even reading holiday cards—a feature that brought him newfound independence.
Empowering Independence
Beyond the classroom, the glasses support Mark in his grocery store job, where he uses ally to identify products and navigate aisles. In his personal life, the glasses enhance his independence in activities like reading restaurant menus, navigating unfamiliar places, and recognizing people using the TeachFaces feature.
Mark affectionately calls his Envision Glasses his "reading glasses," noting how they empower him to tackle tasks he once found challenging.
Personalized Interaction with ally
Mark has also customized ally to match his personality, making it witty and engaging. Whether it’s helping him find lost items or making snarky comments about his cluttered office, ally feels less like a tool and more like a helpful companion.
Looking to the Future
As Mark prepares to return to school for vocational rehabilitation studies, he sees even greater potential for Envision Glasses and ally. “I’m looking forward to seeing how ally can assist me in college,” he says.
A Final Note
Mark’s journey with Envision Glasses and ally highlights how assistive technology can empower people who are blind or have low vision to lead more independent, fulfilling lives. From teaching and studying to everyday navigation, these tools are making a meaningful difference.
Mark’s story is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and the human spirit. If you want to listen to his story, listen to his podcast!
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