“Valencia: Thread of Stories”: Inclusive technology to make cultural heritage accessible to people with visual impairments

ETSIADI will host a pioneering educational and social project that combines 3D printing in Braille, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality to make Valencia’s historical memory accessible. This initiative demonstrates how technology can be, above all, a tool for inclusion and social transformation.

A project that brings together education, technology, and accessibility

The Association ByLinedu will be held in the classrooms of the Higher Technical School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design (ETSIADI) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) the educational and social project “Valencia: Thread of Stories”. The initiative offers a technology training program in which children, young people, and mentors work together to design solutions that make the city’s cultural heritage and historical memory accessible to people with visual impairments.

ETSIADI not only provides its facilities for the sessions but also offers technical support, thereby reinforcing its role as an active participant in social impact projects related to STEAM disciplines. In addition, the project is supported by the call for proposals “A Day in the Life of Salari” from Caixa Popular, whose commitment to social responsibility makes it possible for all activities to be completely free of charge for participants.

Three Technological Pillars in the Service of Inclusion

The project structures its approach around three areas of focus that integrate current technologies with an ethical and inclusive vision:

• 3D Tactile Reliefs and Braille. Participants learn to design and model three-dimensional objects using Tinkercad which are then produced using 3D printing. These tactile pieces depict historical figures and scenes from the city of Valencia, allowing people with visual impairments to explore them through touch.
• Responsible AI and Critical Thinking. We are working on the ethical and guided application of Artificial Intelligence as a creative support tool: writing inclusive stories, translating into accessible formats, and providing design assistance. All of this is done under strict human supervision and with full assurance of participants’ privacy.
• Augmented Reality (WebAR). By integrating QR codes into physical totems, the project displays interactive digital layers with audio descriptions and multimedia resources that can be accessed directly from a cell phone, without the need to install any apps or overcome technological barriers.

“València: Fil d’Històries” is an example of how people-centered technological design can help build a more just, accessible, and culturally rich society.

An opportunity to learn by doing

If you’d like to learn more about this initiative or follow its progress, stay tuned to ETSIADI’s communication channels. Projects like this reflect the spirit that defines our school: the belief that engineering and design play a fundamental role in improving people’s lives.