Herculaneum Archaeological Park launches an app for kids with autism

The Herculaneum Archaeological Park is launching an app that will guide children with autism when visiting the Campania archaeological site. The guide will be available from December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and was created thanks to the collaboration with the #micolorodiblu onlus association, with the aim of expanding and to enrich the accessibility of the Herculaneum Archaeological Park, in this case with services and initiatives dedicated to different degrees of autistic syndrome.

The app, which was taken care of by the technology startup Garage 94, is based on software specifically designed to facilitate the involvement of children with autism spectrum disorder: a special visit guide, designed by experts in the field to allow the area to be enjoyed in immersive mode, with directions and insights based on the times and peculiarities of the guests. The app will be available on special devices permanently supplied to the Park, offered by the non-profit association #micolorodiblu itself.

After the testing phase, the app will be able to be downloaded by visitors in advance of their visit to the Park and may become a tool for knowledge of ancient Herculaneum among school children who will then visit the Park so as to initiate them into an informed visit to the Park. The collaboration is part of the realization of the Culture without Barriers project, which, in part, makes use of funds made available by the CULTURE CREA call for proposals, promoted by the MIC to support the cultural and creative supply chain in implementation of the 2014-2020 Culture and Development ERDF NOP (Priority Axis II), thanks to the support of the Invitalia network, the National Agency for Enterprise Development. In the meantime, the Herculaneum Park is active on several fronts in the constant work of enriching accessibility and breaking down any barrier, not only physical, but also cultural, social and technological, to the enjoyment of its precious cultural heritage; in addition to this latest collaboration with #micolorodiblu, the park in fact recalls the collaboration with the Naples National Board of the Deaf, which led in the past to the translation into LIS of the explanations of tourist guides for itineraries intended for this audience. At present, the park is working to be able to integrate such offerings to the public of ancient Herculaneum. Interested visitors can apply to the Park by sending an email to colorodibluercolano@gmail.com five working days in advance of the day of the visit.

“The Park, with full respect for the protection of the cultural asset of its image,” says director Francesco Sirano, “must become a friendly and accessible environment by all, avoiding reserved paths but adapting spaces so that everyone, in full safety and according to differentiated forms of autonomy, can immerse themselves in culture, with a view to an inclusive and barrier-free welcome, creating opportunities for knowledge of the cultural heritage of ancient Herculaneum based on a logic of integration to serve the participating public.”

“This is a path of synergy and fellowship that starts from afar,” said #micolododiblu President Maria Gallucci. “I am truly grateful to Archaeological Park Director Sirano and his entire staff for first welcoming us, then listening to us, and for collaborating with us in the design and structuring phase of the App, along with the developers of Garage94. The goal of #micolorodiblu is to foster the labor, social and in this case, cultural integration of our special kids; ensuring that they too can enjoy and understand our historical heritage is the first step: I hope that this one from Herculaneum will be a model for the whole country to follow.”

Herculaneum Archaeological Park launches an app for kids with autism

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