Abstract
The recent years have seen a notable evolution in the relationship between museums and communities. This tendency, particularly relying on information and communication technologies, led to an increasing focus on the design of immersive experiences to increase visitors’ engagement. However, still to this day, the pursuit of such trajectories does not guarantee all visitors full and equal participation opportunities. Indeed, multiple barriers can impede the physical and cultural accessibility of cultural heritage, especially with reference to people with disabilities. The importance of participation to cultural life, recreation and leisure, emphasized by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), remarks the need to address these accessibility challenges through universal design solutions oriented by special and inclusive pedagogy frameworks. Indeed, scientific literature underlines how access to culture is a fundamental right, connected to the self-determination and Quality of Life of people with disabilities. In this context, this contribution illustrates co-design educational experiences of an integrated inclusive museum pathway aimed at enhancing the physical and cultural accessibility of a local museum in the Marche Region. With the direct involvement of people with disability through a participatory methodology, our research group co-designed, developed and tested innovative solutions incorporating multisensory technologies and accessible storytelling to create an inclusive museum experience. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for the development of inclusive design solutions in museum contexts, promoting equal opportunities of participation in social and cultural life.
Presenters
Tommaso SantilliPhD Student, Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Territories, University of Macerata, Macerata, Italy Karrie Shogren
Professor/Director, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities, University of Kansas, United States Ilaria D'angelo
PhD Student, Education, University of Macerata, Italy Noemi Del Bianco
PhD, Education, University of Macerata, Italy Catia Giaconi
Professor, Education, University of Macerata, Italy
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Special Pedagogy, Inclusive Design, Museum, Quality of Live, Active Participation
