The Uttarakhand division of Archaeological Survey of India is adding a new section on its website, complete with voice commands and recorded narration, to allow visually impaired users to access information on heritage sites of the hill state. The move by the Uttarakhand division of ASI, also known as Dehradun Circle, is a first across the archaeological circles in the country.

V K Swarnakar, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Dehradun circle said, "We wanted to reach the segment of people who are interested in learning about history, heritage and other facts related to monuments of the state but could not due to visual impairment. At present, the link of the website is available on our homepage and is on trial."

The Archaeological Survey of India's Uttarakhand division is incorporating a separate section on its website which will have features like voice commands, recorded narration about the monuments in the state and other related information about heritage of the hill state for the visually impaired.

The website will be user-friendly with just six keys to operate: Enter, spacebar, page up, page down, down arrow key and up arrow key. After clicking on the link for the visually impaired, voice instructions will direct the user to navigate accordingly. Swarnakar told TOI that the idea took shape after he visited blind schools and other facilities that educate the visually impaired. "A special software was being used by these institutions which is good but expensive so not everyone can afford it. We thought of coming up with something which is more accessible," added Swarnakar.

The Dehradun circle of ASI had also launched a Braille booklet in March 2015, titled 'Uttarakhand Ke Smarak', which contained information about monuments of Uttarakhand for the visually impaired.