A solution to make museum visits more inclusive
Barriers can be of the most varied nature and cause perceptual or physical limitations.
Hand in hand is the concept of inclusivity, which breaks down barriers present in all contexts of our lives, including those related to culture and the dissemination of knowledge.
Technology can be a tangible tool for the elimination of these barriers, creating a more inclusive environment and experiences, and can be the driving force behind the creation of media that make content related to culture and knowledge accessible to all.
The system integration company Collettivo Digitale, has designed on the basis of these assumptions Tangent, a multisensory solution that also allows people with visual or hearing disabilities to have full access to artifacts, artifacts, and architectural reconstructions thanks to a tactile interface and specially created multimedia content. It is a freestanding device that can be inserted into museum, exhibition or educational paths, stimulating inclusion and full accessibility.
The first prototype of Tangent was developed for the Banditaccia necropolis in Cerveteri (an Etruscan necropolis in the province of Rome), it is a TUI (Tangible User Experience) station, that is, a user interface that allows deep interaction at the tactile level, complemented by custom-made multimedia content.
On a self-supporting device with wheels rests the model of the necropolis, accompanied laterally by buttons and sensors that activate the multimedia insights. Placed as a backdrop is a display with visual content to support the explanation, while the two unidirectional speakers amplify the audio guide in a controlled way – without bringing disturbance to the surrounding environment.
The solution is structured so that users are enticed to interact with the three-dimensional objects on the counter, which are equipped with buttons and sensory pathways that indicate, for example, to blind users the areas in the model. At the same time, when interacting with a particular sensory point the related audiovisual content is activated on the display.
For the tactile part, the structure is equipped with a multisensory and braille language legend that contains all information regarding tangible objects and multimedia content. Special tactile legends then indicate the different types of materials of the objects or the scale of reproduction.
For hearing-impaired users, multimedia content on the display is supported by subtitles and flanked by sign language. Audio is broadcast through directional speakers so as not to disturb other visitors, there is also magnetic induction amplification and Bluetooth that is an aid to users with hearing devices.
The technologies used:
No. 2 Cornered Audio corner speakers, model Ci5B
No. 1 SoundTube amplifier, model SA502
No. 1 magnetic loop amplifier for the hearing impaired, Logia model PL150
no. 1 LG display, model 55UH5F-H
“Developing the Tangent solution and working with the team of experts allowed us to look at our work as designers and content creators for Museums from a different perspective.
It made us think about the importance of designing physical and digital displays, solutions and technological environments that are truly inclusive and accessible to all visitors”-the comment of Daniela Donnini, Experience Designer, Collettivo Digitale
Collettivo Digitale developed the Tangent project in collaboration with:
Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences – hub of the National Research Council that aims to implement research, innovation, training and technology transfer of the strategic area Cultural Heritage
Omero State Tactile Museum of Ancona
Carlo di Biase, expert in accessibility for hearing disabilities
La Sapienza University of Rome
University of Naples Federico II
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
University of Padua
The project is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture (MiC) and was coordinated by Ales SpA.
