The Municipality of Ferrara participated with Museo Schifanoia in the “Public Notice for the submission of intervention project proposals for the removal of physical, cognitive and sensory barriers in non-MIC public museums and places of culture” under the NRP, Mission 1 “Digitization, Innovation, Competitiveness and Culture,” Component “Tourism and Culture” (M1C3), Measure 1 “Cultural Heritage for the Next Generation,” Investment 1.2: “Removal of physical and cognitive barriers in museums, libraries and archives to enable wider access and participation in culture,” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU and managed by the Ministry of Culture.

The 500,000 euros in funding obtained enabled the realization of an ambitious project on the accessibility of Museo Schifanoia and its services, so as to make the visit route fully inclusive, strengthening its mission as a social activator, pursuing the goal of removing tangible, intangible and digital barriers that may hinder the enjoyment of the extraordinary preserved heritage. A focus on all potential users, placing people at the center, with their specific needs, based on the principle of equality and autonomy.

The interventions, which range from eliminating architectural barriers to upgrading

of pathways and services, from staff training to breaking down digital barriers through the website, testify to the commitment to an accessible and shared culture.

The design and each operational phase of the project were developed in close collaboration with associations of people with disabilities, ensuring that their needs were at the center of the solutions adopted. This participatory approach made it possible to devise concrete and targeted solutions, significantly improving the museum’s accessibility.

Interventions carried out

PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY

1. Drafting and implementation of the P.E.B.A.

The Plan for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers (P.E.B.A.) was developed and applied, identifying and resolving critical structural issues that prevented or limited accessibility and mobility within the museum.

2. Construction of a new elevator

A new elevator has been installed to connect the ground and mezzanine floors of the museum’s 14th-century wing, finally allowing people with mobility difficulties to access the exhibition rooms located in the mezzanines.

3. Adjustment of sidewalks on Scandiana Street.

The sidewalk near the entrance to the Museum at No. 21 Scandiana Street has been redone: the double slope has been eliminated and the trachyte slabs have been repositioned at an optimal angle to provide easier access for all visitors.

4. New parking lot for people with disabilities

A stall reserved for marked vehicles, located near the existing crosswalk for the museum entrance (4 Scandiana Street), has been created to facilitate access for visitors with reduced mobility.

5. Adjustment of ticket counters and bookshops

Two modules were added at an accessible height to the existing counters, making it more convenient and inclusive to use the reception areas.

6. Interventions to improve accessibility and enjoyment of the garden

The walkways of the historic garden were completely redone, adjusting slopes and geometries to ensure proper and inclusive use. Materials with appropriate physical and mechanical characteristics were used to facilitate walking for all and preserve the integrity of the place.

7. New garden lighting system
   A modern lighting system has been installed to enable all visitors to experience and appreciate the garden even in the evening hours or winter months, thus enhancing the usability of the place in all seasons.

8. Creation of a space adjacent to the cafeteria (“greenhouse”)

Next to the cafeteria is a new heated volume featuring glass walls and a metal structure, inspired by Renaissance winter gardens. This environment also expands the museum’s capacity for winter periods and provides easy access for groups and people with reduced mobility. In addition, pathways leading to the greenhouse and the surrounding garden area have been equipped to facilitate transit for all visitors.

MUSEUM ROUTES

1. Videoguide in LIS and ISL

All content in the museum’s audio guide, available in the MuseumMix app, has been translated into LIS (Italian Sign Language) and ISL (International Sign Language).

2. Adaptation of museum multimedia supports

Videos in Rooms 1, 9 and 17 have been optimized with English translations and subtitles, while content has also been made available in LIS (Italian Sign Language) and ISL (International Sign Language) through the MuseumMix app.

To improve the enjoyment of the video in Room 1, the acoustic reverberation was reduced by installing sound-absorbing panels, thus allowing the restoration of audio in Italian and English.

3. Tactile pathway

A new tactile pathway enriches the Museum, offering visually impaired and blind people, as well as all visitors, the opportunity to explore the heritage through touch.

The tour includes 8 copies of life-size or scale works, made with advanced laser scanning and 3D printing technologies.

These reproductions have been harmoniously integrated into the rooms, placed on plinths designed to provide continuity with the layout and maximize usability. The plinths are accompanied by graphic apparatus with high-contrast and Braille captions.

4. Implementation of multi-sensory panels of the Hall of Months

Four multisensory panels dedicated to the description of the famous decorative cycle of the Hall of Months were created and integrated into the museum itinerary through specially designed plinths. These tools offer an inclusive and enriching experience through both visual and tactile graphic and textual content (Braille texts and use of transparent ink reliefs for graphic content). In this way, the information is usable by visually impaired and blind people, as well as by a wider audience, constituting an example of popular instrumentation that ensures complete accessibility. In addition, through QR Code and NFC (Near Field Communication), an audio-video guide with subtitles in Italian, English and LIS is available.

5. Implementation of the Museum Guide in CAA

Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) includes techniques and tools that support or replace verbal and written communication, facilitating expression and understanding for people with communication difficulties. It uses symbols, pictograms, and technology to make information accessible to those with limitations in traditional language.

The Museum Guide in AAC is intended for people of all ages who, due to neurological problems, trauma or disease, have not developed or have lost the ability to read. It is, in addition, a social inclusion tool for foreigners in the process of learning the Italian language.

6. Creation of visitation support

Realization of a printed medium, usable by different audiences. Through an interdisciplinary approach, different areas of knowledge, languages and cultures are related, making the content accessible and current, with reference to the daily experience of users. This “map” promotes universal accessibility to heritage and is available in Italian and English.

ENHANCEMENT

Web site implementation

A new accessibility section of the museum website was designed to provide visitors with all the information they need to plan their visit and access downloadable tools. In addition, it includes an interactive map that allows visitors to easily navigate their way around the museum and also locate all accessible routes and supports.

Organization of a study day

A study day was organized with the participation of professional figures pertaining to different fields, who presented specific interventions aimed at identifying good practices, guidelines and keywords useful in designing accessible educational pathways to be proposed to Museo Schifanoia.

Staff training

In order to improve the ability to respond to the needs of all visitors, including the specific needs of people with disabilities, a training program dedicated to Museum reception staff and the Information and Reservations Office has been activated, which has also been carried out through collaboration with associations of people with disabilities.

Schifanoia Workshop

On Dec. 13 and 14, Museo Schifanoia will be open free of charge in the presence of trained museum mediators who will welcome different audiences, introduce the building and the PNRR project, and demonstrate the new tactile and multimedia aids along the exhibition route. The service will be available in Italian, English and French.