“Cambiamo il linguaggio e cambieremo il mondo”

Superare le barriere culturali attraverso l’uso corretto delle parole in tema di disabilità

Gabriella Cetorelli; Luca Papi

DOI: 10.36134/PBDSU-2024-8 Download as a .PDF file

Research leading to the publication of the Manuale di progettazione per l’accessibilità e la fruizione ampliata del patrimonio culturale. Dai funzionamenti della persona ai funzionamenti dei luoghi della cultura (Handbook on Design for Accessibility and Enhanced Use of Cultural Heritage: From Individual Functionings to the Functionings of Cultural Spaces), published by CNR Edizioni and curated by the authors, has generated a true revolution. It is based on all those factors that, through their presence or absence in this field, can improve individual functioning and thus reduce disabilities. Such factors may include services, systems, and policies aimed at increasing people’s engagement in all areas of life. Examining how public interventions and social debate can address and explore the topic of communication, through the proper use of words, adds a quid pluris to the topics covered in the handbook.

“Words are containers. Inside them there’s life. There are people, with their dignity”. Through this reflection, journalist Franco Bomprezzi (1952-2014) highlighted the constructive, yet destructive power of words, which must be used appropriately to overcome all cultural and social barriers, both for individuals and the community at large, in existential contexts.

Incorrect words can generate discriminatory attitudes. The handbook has extensively addressed the topic of accessibility in cultural spaces, presenting a broad range of content. Language is fully part of this research. The themes and lexicon have evolved over time thanks to societal progress and the consequent evolution of legislation. There are, however, still today, discrepancies regarding how communication and the correct use of words are handled, which warrant further reflection.

Come citare

Cetorelli, G., & Papi, L. (2024). “Cambiamo il linguaggio e cambieremo il mondo”. Superare le barriere culturali attraverso l’uso corretto delle parole in tema di disabilità (DSU Policy brief 8). CNR-Dipartimento di Scienze Umane e Sociali, Patrimonio culturale. https://doi.org/10.36134/PBDSU-2024-8.

Last updated: 15 October 2024