Accessibility and inclusion are human rights that have consistently been invoked and upheld by major international organisations through conventions, charters, directives and regulations. The European Accessibility Act, which will apply across all European Union member states from June 2025, ensures widespread and meaningful accessibility to information, technologies and even social and cultural life for everyone, regardless of ability, leaving national governments little leeway for exceptions.
Over the past 50 years, many scholars (Grossi and Ravagnan, 2013; Stadler, Jepson, and Wood, 2022)[1] have shown that participating in cultural and entertainment activities plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being and quality of life of people with and without disabilities. For the latter, at times, access is still limited and limiting, despite significant global progress in the last 20 years towards greater openness and an increased focus on accessibility and meaningful opportunities for inclusion.
This conference aims to assess the progress of accessibility to media, entertainment and cultural heritage, both in Italy and internationally, by discussing good practices and addressing current and future needs and opportunities. With a focus on technological development as a potential driver of accessibility, while keeping people, their diversity and needs central to the discussion, plenary lectures, individual presentations and thematic sessions aim to offer insights, models and paradigms that promote an increasingly universal, open and flexible approach to cultural accessibility in all its forms. The four workshops that precede the main program are aimed at all participants (professionals, scholars, students, managers) wishing to acquire detailed knowledge of specific areas and activities.
The conference will feature virtual and in-person sessions. Interpreting will be provided for in-person sessions. Additionally, participants coming to the conference can choose from four thematic workshops that are offered in either Italian or English.
The conference is part of the PNRR SAFINA project within the Vitality ecosystem, Smart solutions and educational programs for anti-fragility and inclusivity. The University of Macerata is a partner in this initiative. It is also supported by the international Master’s programme in Accessibility to Media, Arts and Culture (AMAC). [1] Grossi, E., Ravagnan, A. (2013). Cultura e salute. La partecipazione culturale come strumento per un nuovo welfare. Milano: Springer; Stadler, R., Jepson, A., Wood, E. (2022). Introduction: Special Issue on ‘Events and Wellbeing’. Event Management 26(1), 1- 5.
Topics of interest
- Culture, entertainment, inclusion and well-being
- Digital accessibility and audiovisual media
- Old and new strategies for inclusion in live performances and events
- Access to, and participation in, cultural heritage
- Language strategies and inclusive communication
- Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, new technologies
- New languages and textualities for accessibility
- Inclusive design: guidelines and best practices in media and entertainment
- Experiences of co-creation in media and entertainment access
- Reception studies: tools methodologies, results
Types of contribution
There are two types of contribution, which can be presented in Italian or English:
- in-person presentation: a 20-minute presentation, given in either Italian or English.
- video presentation: a pre-recorded video of 8 to 10 minutes, in Italian or English, with subtitles in the other language (e.g.: video in English, subtitles in Italian).
Deadlines and contribution submission methods
Abstract submission deadline: February 28, 2025
Notification of acceptance: March 10, 2025
Registration is open until April 15, 2025
Visit the conference website for further information:
masteramac.unimc.it/accessibility-conference/
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Gabriella Cetorelli, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Department of General Affairs – Directorate General of European and International Affairs – UNESCO Office.
Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility and Inclusion for EMEA at Google.
Enrico Dolza, Director of the Deaf Institute of Turin, Italy
Aldo Grassini, President of the Omero National Tactile Museum, in a dialogue with sculptor Felice Tagliaferri
Thematic workshops
The conference is preceded by four workshops to be held on 15 May in the afternoon. All workshops will be led by instructors both with and without disabilities. The workshops will be held in either Italian or English, with the option of providing translation into the other language upon request.
15:00 – 17:00 Planning, organisation, and funding of accessibility projects (ITA)
Andrea Rurale (Director of the Master’s programme in Arts Management and Administration, Bocconi University), Marco Luchetti (PhD Candidate, University of Macerata), Anna Chiara Scarponi (ENS – Italian Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – Ascoli Piceno-Fermo) (ITA)
15:00 – 17:00 Participatory accessibility for children and adults: projects and principles (ENG)
Elena Di Giovanni (Full Professor, University of Macerata) and Daniela Fiordalisi (Disability Manager, University of Brescia) (ENG)
17:00 – 19:00 AI, new technologies and accessibility (ENG)
Francesca Raffi (Associate Professor, University of Macerata) and Francesco Cusati (Institute of the Blind, Milan) (ENG)
17:00 – 19:00 Museums, sign languages and inclusion in the artistic experience
Brunella Manzardo (Education Department, Castello di Rivoli, Contemporary Art Museum) and Violante Nonno (Deaf Tourist Guide) (ITA)
Social programme
The conference’s social programme includes a visit to the museums of Macerata, led by people with disabilities, as well as an accessible concert.
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Silvana Colella, University of Macerata
Elena Di Giovanni, University of Macerata
Francesca Raffi, University of Macerata
Arianna Taddei, University of Macerata
Maria Chiara Andriello, Accessibility Manager for RAI Servizio di Pubblica Utilità
Sauro Cesaretti, President Accessibility Days
Giuseppe Balirano, University of Naples l’Orientale
Paola Catenaccio, University of Milan
Irene Ranzato, Sapienza University of Rome
Jorge Díaz-Cintas, University College London
Emilia Perez, Constantine the Philosopher University, Nitra, Slovakia
Agnieszka Szarkowska, University of Warsaw, Poland
Gert Vercauteren, University of Antwerp, Belgium
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Marco Luchetti, University of Macerata
Beatrice Moretti, University of Macerata
Natascia Palladio, University of Macerata
Ilaria Marinozzi, University of Macerata
Sarah Solito, University of Macerata
In collaboration with
Safina – Vitality. Smart solutions and educational programs for anti-fragility and inclusivity.
WP1 Master AMAC – Accessibility to Media Arts and Culture
UNITE – Universally Inclusive Technologies to Practice English
Museo Tattile Statale Omero di Ancona
AIA (Associazione Italiana di Anglistica)
Accessible Cinema (FRED’s programme)
Accessibility Days
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Conference Website: masteramac.unimc.it/accessibility-conference/
Contacts: accessconference@unimc.it