Voices of World War I demonstrates that archival records and historical documents can be made accessible to anyone, including people who are blind or have a range of print disabilities, by utilizing new technology tools coupled with human narration.  Audio versions of the selected documents narrated with the appropriate emotion and proper syntax will be available as podcasts.  Knowledge mining technology will offer online searching capabilities that enable students and researchers to quickly identify specific documents within archival collections. This new online tool will allow individuals to access the archives with a computer or mobile device, including a smartphone, tablet or e-book.

This new online technology will be available for free to the participating audiences through the CSL and CRIS Web sites.

This pilot is funded by a grant awarded by National Archives’ National Historical Publications and Records Commission.