“Looking with our hands” presents an innovative educational training initiative aimed at harnessing heritage as a tool for learning and social inclusion, leveraging digital fabrication and 3D reproduction. The proposal is structured into four key areas. Firstly, secondary school students engage in selecting their most treasured objects and completing a form akin to museum collection inventories. This exercise serves as a springboard for theoretical discussions on the importance of conserving cultural heritage as a cornerstone of community identity.
In the second area, emphasis is placed on enhancing museum accessibility and communication, with a focus on vulnerable groups and existing resources such as easy-to-read materials, braille, and sign language. The pioneering use of 3D reproduction to facilitate social inclusion for visually impaired individuals is also introduced.
The third area, centred on ICT, unfolds within a digital fabrication studio, where cutting-edge techniques are explored and various pieces are printed. In the fourth area, participants apply their learnings by explaining a chosen piece through easy-to-read text, translating it into braille, and conducting a sign language workshop. They subsequently share their inclusive interpretation with their peers.
Throughout the initiative, an initial, formative, and summative evaluation is conducted to assess the training of both students and teachers. Qualitative analysis of participant data reveals conceptual and attitudinal shifts towards inclusive heritage appreciation. Results indicate that students have actively engaged in their learning, developed an appreciation for inclusive and accessible heritage, and successfully applied inclusive interpretation methods. Notably, the initiative has also sparked new professional vocations, underscoring its value as a positive and replicable experience for heritage professionals across different territories.
