Accessible Ashoka App: Empowering Navigation and Accessibility for All

The Office of Learning Support at Ashoka University has introduced an innovative tool to make life on campus easier and more accessible for everyone—the Accessible Ashoka app. Developed with differently-abled users in mind, this app is designed to enhance navigation, accessibility, and the overall academic experience for the entire Ashoka community. Here’s an overview of what this app offers:

Key Features of the Accessible Ashoka App:

• Ashoka Dashboard: The app provides quick access to your ongoing and upcoming classes, talks, events, and workshops.
• Voice User Interface: Users can use simple voice commands to access key features of the app, such as “Take me to the Café” or “Navigate to LR03,” for seamless navigation.
• Find My Location: You can locate yourself on campus using BLE beacons. If beacons aren’t available, you can scan nearby QR codes to view your location on the map.
• QR Codes on Braille Signage: For enhanced accessibility, QR codes will soon be installed on braille signage. By scanning these QR codes, users will be able to see their location on the map. These QR codes can be scanned from a distance of 1 to 3 meters.
• Explore Nearby Mode: Discover your surroundings with Explore Mode. The app tracks your position and provides information about nearby landmarks as you move through the area.
• User-Based Route Preview and Location Sharing: Preview routes and receive navigation directions. You can also share specific landmarks or locations with others for easy meetup points. Additionally, you can set up a profile based on individual needs. For instance, a wheelchair user can view routes with ramp access. Similarly, a visually impaired user can enable voice commands supplemented with haptic cues for better navigation. The app combines audio and haptic feedback for a smooth navigation experience.
• Ashoka Campus Map: The app features detailed maps of academic buildings such as AC02, AC03, AC04, and other campus buildings and outdoor landmarks. These can be used to search for specific classrooms, lectures, labs, and more.
• Turn-by-Turn Navigation: The app offers real-time, step-by-step directions for easy navigation inside buildings like AC02 (including the dining block), AC03, and AC04, and for moving between buildings.

How to Get Started

The app is available for download on both iOS and Android. Just search for “Accessible Ashoka” in your app store or Play Store and log in using OTP-based authentication with your phone number.

What’s Next?

The Accessible Ashoka app aims to significantly enhance users’ on-campus experience, making it easier to manage schedules, navigate through campus, and stay informed about everything happening at Ashoka University. While the current version supports navigation within the academic buildings and dining area, as well as inter-building navigation between these areas, future updates will extend these services to the rest of the campus, including additional indoor areas. QR and braille-based smart signage will also be deployed soon, further simplifying navigation for users with disabilities.

For assistance or questions, users can contact the Office of Learning Support. Additionally, if you have any queries or feedback, feel free to reach out through:

• WhatsApp Group: Join the Group
• Email: inwayplus@gmail.com