Whose culture is it anyway? Perceptions of accessibility in museums by professionals working with people with intellectual disabilities in Greece

Abstract

This research examines perceptions of accessibility in museums by professionals who work with people with intellectual disabilities and live in housing/rehabilitation settings in Greece and highlights factors and conditions that hinder people with intellectual disabilities from experiencing culture when visiting museums. Out of the 46 officially registered social organisations by the Hellenic Ministry of Health and the Hellenic Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs, 35 participated in the study, a percentage that allows monitoring the situation on a national level. The results showcase deficiencies in the provision of accessibility to cultural heritage with regards to information content, exhibitions and visitor experience, and participation and co-creation opportunities for this particular audience. This paper also makes policy proposals targeted at museums, aiming at enhancing accessibility to culture for people with intellectual disabilities and comes to fill a gap in the respective literature.