DescriVedendo is a project on cultural accessibility promoted by the National Association of Blind People in Italy (OdV). Since 1970, the organization has assisted and supported blind and visually impaired individuals in all aspects of their daily life such as inclusion in education, employment, the use of assistive technologies, training, and consulting. The approach used, which has been scientifically studied, helps individuals with low vision accessing the content of works of art and museum itineraries. Effectively, it uses the power of evocative language to create mental images by carefully selecting words and phrases organized in pre-ordered sequences. It is based on specific research conducted to effectively communicate figures, shapes, lights, and colours through the use of words alone.
The end result is a text that accurately describes the content of a composite image. It can be a painting, sculpture, or an ancient object, or an environment (such as the interior of a church or the hall of a palace).
Descriptive text has the additional benefit of being easily converted into other formats, such as audio files, large-format printing, braille, sign language, and simplified language. This enables it to be accessible to users with both hearing and cognitive disabilities.
Individuals without disabilities have found DescriVedendo to be of value, as they are better able to focus and understand the specifics of a work of art after reading it.
It is a powerful inclusive tool. Once incorporated into the historical-artistic activities developed by museum experts, it makes visual art accessible to a wider audience.
The method is already available at multiple museums and art spaces, such as Pinacoteca di Brera, Cenacolo Vinciano, Castello Sforzesco, Cappella Museo Sansevero Napoli, and others.
Idea and development:
National Association for the Blind (OdV), (I)
Further information
