CULTURAL MEDIATION AND ACCESSIBILITY: PROMOTING INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS – A CASE STUDY OF THE INCLUSIVE MUSEUM PROJECT / MÉDIATION CULTURELLE ET ACCESSIBILITÉ : PROMOUVOIR L’INCLUSION DES PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES DANS LES INSTITUTIONS CULTURELLES – ÉTUDE DE CAS DU PROJET MUSÉE INCLUSIF

Authors

  • Mohamed Seri Sayari Institut Supérieur de l’animation culturelle et de la jeunesse (ISAJC), Tunis Université de Montreal, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v11i7.6449

Keywords:

cultural mediation, accessibility, inclusion, disability, museum studies, universal design / médiation culturelle, accessibilité, handicap, muséologie

Abstract

This paper explores the critical role of cultural mediation in fostering accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities within cultural institutions. Grounded in the framework of cultural studies and inclusion theory, the study presents a fictive case study of the 'Inclusive Museum Project,' a museum initiative designed to enhance cultural participation for individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments. The project emphasizes participatory design, adaptive technologies, and intersectoral collaboration between cultural professionals, disability organizations, and policymakers. Findings highlight the importance of universal design principles, staff training in accessibility, and community engagement as key pillars of sustainable inclusion. The paper argues that cultural institutions must transition from accessibility as compliance to accessibility as cultural value, reconfiguring mediation practices to reflect diversity, equity, and agency. Recommendations are provided for policymakers and cultural managers to strengthen inclusive mediation practices globally.

Cet article analyse le rôle de la médiation culturelle dans le renforcement de l’accessibilité et de l’inclusion des personnes en situation de handicap au sein des institutions culturelles. À travers une étude de cas fictive du « Inclusive Museum Project », l’étude met en évidence l’importance du design universel, de la co‑création et de la formation professionnelle comme piliers d’une inclusion durable.

 

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Author Biography

  • Mohamed Seri Sayari, Institut Supérieur de l’animation culturelle et de la jeunesse (ISAJC), Tunis Université de Montreal, Canada

    Mohamed Seri Sayari is a university lecturer and researcher at the Institut Supérieur de l’Animation Culturelle et de la Jeunesse (ISAJC), Tunis. He holds an academic background in cultural studies and inclusive education. His research interests focus on cultural mediation, accessibility, inclusion of people with disabilities, and inclusive cultural policies. He is affiliated with several national and international research networks and has contributed to interdisciplinary research projects in the fields of culture, education, and disability studies.

References

Dewdney, A., & Dibosa, D. (2013). Post-critical museology: Theory and practice in the art museum. Routledge. Retrieved from https://www.routledge.com/Post-Critical-Museology-Theory-and-Practice-in-the-Art--Museum/Dewdney-Dibosa-Walsh/p/book/9780415606011

Hooper-Greenhill, E. (2013). Museums and their visitors. Routledge. Retrieved from https://www.routledge.com/Museums-and-Their-Visitors/Hooper-Greenhill/p/book/9780415513326

Kudlick, C. (2014). Disability history and the inclusive museum. Museum Management and Curatorship, 29(5), 421–431. https://doi.org/10.1086/529597

Réseau Art et Handicap. (2018). Cultural mediation and accessibility: European best practices. Paris: Editions du Réseau.

Sandell, R. (2003). Museums and the combating of social inequality: Roles, responsibilities, resistance. Museum Management and Curatorship, 18(1), 25–38. Retrieved from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203167380-8/museums-combating-social-inequality-roles-responsibilities-resistance-richard-sandell

Simon, N. (2010). The participatory museum. Museum 2.0. Retrieved from https://books.google.ro/books/about/The_Participatory_Museum.html?id=qun060HUcOcC&redir_esc=y

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications. Retrieved from https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/case-study-research-and-applications/book250150

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Published

2025-12-28

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 7 (2025)

Section

Articles

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