16/03/2026
On 10 March 2026, from 3: 00 to 5:30 p.m., the conference titled I Linguaggi dell’Accessibilità e la Fruizione Ampliata del Patrimonio Culturale (The Languages of Accessibility and the Inclusive Enjoyment of Cultural Heritage) was held at the Department of Humanities of the University of Macerata. The event aimed to offer a day of study by providing analytical insights and opportunities for reflection on the many issues connected to the enhancement and valorization of Cultural Heritage sites, especially in relation to disabilities. The Design Manual for Accessibility and the Inclusive Use of Cultural Heritage. From Human Functioning to the Functioning of Cultural Places, published in 2024 by CNR Edizioni and edited by Gabriella Cetorelli and Luca Papi, represents a milestone in relation to educational design on accessibility as well as the dissemination of principles established by the United Nations and the World Health Organization, with a steady move from theory to practice. On the occasion of this conference, the expanded 2026 edition of the Manual was presented, in its English translation created by the University of Macerata. This version—unique at the international level—opens an updated and dynamic perspective on the themes of Universal Design.
The Manual is avaliable both in digital format and in print. The graphic design of the volume, created by Simone Leonetti, was highly appreciated.
The volume can be downloaded from the website of the Department of Human and Social Sciences, Cultural Heritage (DSU) of the National Research Council (CNR) at the following link:
https://bit.ly/4bB2aBb
The event was opened by the Rector of the University of Macerata, Prof. John McCourt, by the Councillor for Culture of the Municipality of Macerata, Dr. Katiuscia Cassetta, by the Director of the Department of Humanities, Prof. Roberto Mancini, and by the President of the CUG of the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Maria Concetta Cassata. Speakers included Dr. Gabriella Cetorelli and Eng. Luca Papi, editors of the volume, as well as Prof. Elena Di Giovanni, Prof. Francesca Raffi, and Dr. Michael Zebrak, who oversaw the English translation.
During the event, additional translations of the Manual were presented. In particular, the English version in audiobook format, produced by the Fondazione Officina dei Sensi of Ascoli Piceno, was introduced by Dr. Lucilla Boschi and Dr. Mirco Fava.
The Italian Braille version, produced by the National Library for the Blind “Regina Margherita” of Monza, was illustrated by Dr. Nicoletta Grassi, while the translations into Italian Sign Language (LIS) were presented by Dr. Maria Dellino, President of the Italian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ANIOS), together with Dr. Giulia Elezi and Dr. Gessica Altieri representing the National Deaf Association (ENS) Marche.
For International Sign (IS), testimonies were offered by Prof. Enrico Dolza and Dr. Nicola Della Maggiora from the Institute for the Deaf of Turin.
The event came to a conclusion with remarks by Prof. Aldo Grassini, President of the Museo Statale Tattile Omero of Ancona.
This initiative represented a further significant step forward in making the contents of the Manual truly accessible by translating it—uniquely—into nine different and complementary versions, moving toward the universality of languages.
Per informazioni:
Luca Papi
Cnr-Dsu
luca.papi@cnr.it
Ufficio stampa:
Francesca Gorini
Ufficio stampa Cnr
francesca.gorini@cnr.it
Responsabile Unità Ufficio stampa:
Emanuele Guerrini
emanuele.guerrini@cnr.it
ufficiostampa@cnr.it
06 4993 3383
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