The LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura cultural centre is sensitive to the need to allow all audiences free access to the enjoyment of artistic proposals and the understanding of their contents.
An important synergy is carried out with the Fondazione Informatica per la Promozione della Persona Disabile (FIPPD) of Lugano, which has made available a three-year grant (2016-2018) for a 50-50 resource to take care of the reception of people with disabilities and the development of accessibility within the LAC cultural mediation sector. This support has been renewed for the three-year period 2019-2021.
Thanks to the support of FIPPD, the LAC can therefore develop an important area of expertise in the field of inclusion and position itself nationally and internationally as a virtuous example of supporting cultural accessibility for all.
The research began in 2016 by initiating a collaboration with the Department of Informatics of the University of Lugano (USI). It focused on the identification of best practices in the field of international museum reception, aimed at the development of an IT tool to facilitate visits by groups with cognitive disabilities to the exhibitions of the Museo d'arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI).
A network of contacts has begun to be established with associations and institutions in the area linked to the world of disability to facilitate access to the LAC, MASI and culture in general. Guided tours and creative workshops are proposed, and groups are organised to attend rehearsals of performances in the Theatre Hall. Relaxed performances are proposed in the LAC Hall and workshops related to inclusive events are welcomed.
The presence of a person in charge of accessibility at the LAC, who attends training courses and specific conferences during her term of office, creating new competences within the cultural centre, also offers support to other inclusive projects such as ‘Scintille’, led by Patrizia Nalbach, which involves the social institutes of the city of Lugano by welcoming groups of people with Alzheimer's disease to the museum on a monthly basis, and the ‘Sorprendimi’ project that Pro Senectute has developed for people with dementia.
