ARCHES (Accessible Resources for Cultural Heritage EcoSystems)
What is it?
ARCHES stands for “Accessible Resources for Cultural Heritage EcoSystems”. With the support of the European Union, ARCHES has brought together people with disabilities, technology companies, universities and museums. Together, they have developed technological solutions, such as tactile reliefs made with the latest 3D modelling techniques, barrier-free apps and games for smartphones and tablets, together with sign-language avatars are the cutting-edge technologies. The technologies have been co-designed and tested by more than 200 people with disabilities in Spain, Austria and the UK.
Why is it important? / How can it help the professionals of the cultural sector?
The core of the project are four participatory research groups. They have been meeting in six museums, during more than two years. Their experiences and suggestions have helped researchers develop new accessibility tools for museums. The process and the results have been documented in academic papers, presentations and How-To-Guides that could inspire museum professionals.
Organisation/Individual name
Type of actor
Contact information
Website / online presence
Geographic focus
International
Areas of expertise
Improving museum accessibility so that people with various disabilities can experience museums independently.
Projects and initiatives worth mentioning
Notable innovations include tactile art and a smartphone app to aid museum navigation, including games (based on popular standard activities, puzzle games and collage making, making them fun for all age groups and users from different cultural backgrounds). These familiar activities are reinvented to use the full potential of video game media, making them more interactive, accessible, educational and sociable. Users can interact with parts of the artworks in the museum’s collection, freely combining them on the canvas.
Collaborations and partnerships
This is a project involving 13 European organisations from 4 countries
Accessible technologies used
3D art replicas, mobile phone apps, games and sign language video avatars
Publications/resources worth mentioning
Recognition/ awards
Heritage in Motion Award 2020 for inclusive art experience
Funding sources
HORIZON funding of 3 838 158,03 €
Membership in associations/networks
n/c
Training and capacity building
n/c
Languages of operation
EN, DE, ES
Testimonials / impact stories / user feedback
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