Carte senza barriere

A project to make the archive inclusive

With the project “Carte senza barriere “, promoted by the State Archive of Agrigento within the framework of PNRR Cultura 4.0, ETT introduced two interactive installations in the Agrigento and Sciacca sites, with the goal of making archival heritage accessible to everyone. The solutions integrate physical, sensory, and cognitive components, allowing visitors to explore documents through videos, audio, tactile elements, braille, and content designed also for younger audiences. The storytelling is drawn directly from archival collections, bringing back to life the history of the former Convent and Prison of San Vito, which has been closed to the public for many years.

An interactive wall to rediscover the former Convent and Prison of San Vito

At the Agrigento site, an interactive wall was created to enhance accessibility, featuring five tactile buttons with braille labels that activate corresponding videos in Italian and English, an interactive tactile map with audio guidance, and content designed for diverse audiences, including children and people with sensory disabilities. Based on original documents—such as records from religious corporations, floor plans, and administrative papers—the installation retraces the key transformations of the building, founded as a convent in 1432 and later converted into a prison in the nineteenth century. The project is completed by inclusive printed materials, including a braille brochure and an informational poster.

The Sciacca installation

The Sciacca site features an accessible graphic wall equipped with five raised buttons positioned to be easily used by wheelchair visitors and accompanied by braille labels. Each button activates an audio track that helps visitors understand the archival collections and how the archive operates, illustrating in simple terms the activities involved in preserving, conserving, restoring, and sharing documents. This installation also contributes to an inclusive, multilayered visitor experience, in line with the project’s mission to promote broader and more engaged access to culture.