The 2022 "DISABILITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION" Award

Technological innovation has managed to overcome many barriers to inclusion. For example, glasses, hearing aids, incontinence pads, wheelchairs, internet, chips for people with Parkinson's, speech synthesizers, prostheses, exoskeletons, make interaction, communication, physical and sports activity possible.

This theme can reinforce the idea of ​​a social context that is open and attentive to the specific needs of disabled people. It can also make us reflect on the limits of digital communication, with a lack of direct contact.

The following Upper Secondary Art Schools participated:

Simone, Brindisi; Zingarelli Sacro Cuore, Cerignola; De Nobili, Catanzaro, Mannucci, Fabriano; Nolfi Apolloni, Fano; Preziotti Licini, Fermo; Cantalamessa, Macerata; Lanza Perugini, Foggia; Mengaroni, Pesaro; Misticoni Bellisario, Pescara; Giovagnoli, Sansepolcro; Chiabrera Martini, Savona; Design, Squillace; Metelli, Terni; Scuola del Libro, Urbino.

130 entries were submitted.

In addition to the equal prizes, the public prize will be based on the votes on FaceBook, and a prize for the best audio description (optional).

The prizes giving ceremony, in person and online, will take place on Monday 16 May at 10 am at the Collegio Raffaello, Sala degli Incisori, Urbino. A Sign Language Interpreter will be present.

This year, in addition to the cash prizes, Special Mentions will also be awarded, based on the judges' evaluations.

The Exhibition of all the entries will take place in the Sala del Maniscalco, Urbino, in mid-August. A Sign Language Interpreter will be present. The Exhibition is set up by Nunzia Invernizzi, Artistic Director of the Eleanor Worthington Prize Association-ODV.

There are two new features this year:

• the online connection with the McGee Art Gallery in York (UK), which for a week will show a video with all the entries;

• the introduction of an evaluation questionnaire, anonymous and optional, proposed to students with the aim of improving the work carried out by the Prize.