Inclusive digital narratives for archaeological heritage: designing an autism-friendly video tour of ancient Capua

The paper explores the potential of Digital Storytelling (DST) as an inclusive strategy for enhancing accessibility and engagement in archaeological heritage communication. Developed for the city of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the Walking with Spartacus project combines participatory design and digital media to create an autism-friendly video tour of the submerged archaeological heritage of ancient Capua. Based on a participatory approach, the videos integrate illustration, animation, sound, and narration to mediate between digital and physical spaces. Spartacus, the digital guide, leads visitors through a hybrid experience that bridges past and present, fostering understanding and emotional connection. The participatory process ensured that the narrative structure, language, and visual design addressed the cognitive and perceptual needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), while also proving attractive and engaging to a wider audience, including children and families. The project demonstrates how drawing and storytelling can serve as interpretive filters that enhance comprehension, autonomy, and inclusivity, transforming accessibility into an opportunity to innovate, rethink and enhance cultural heritage communication for all. Keywords: digital storytelling, inclusion, autism-friendly, design for all, archaeological heritage