A New Approach to Accessible, Participatory, and Inclusive Cultural Heritage
The work titled “iNCLUSION in the Cultural Heritage Sector,” published by TÜBA, brings together scientific approaches, international examples, and implementation models aimed at making cultural heritage accessible, understandable, and open to participation for everyone. Edited by TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevser Çınar, the publication does not view inclusivity in cultural heritage as limited solely to physical access conditions; rather, it is shaped around the experiences, representations, and decision-making processes of people with disabilities and groups that face difficulties participating in cultural life for various reasons. It serves as a comprehensive reference source not only for cultural heritage researchers and academics but also for museum directors, cultural heritage specialists, tourism professionals, educators, architects, urban planners, digital technology developers, and those working in the field of public policy.
A Wide Range of Content, from Digital Technologies to Inclusive Museums
This study, which is among the scientific outputs of the iNCLUSION project coordinated by TÜBA and co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program, was prepared as part of the project aimed at developing higher education students’ capacity to create transformative cultural experiences for people with disabilities. Aiming to contribute to the development of more inclusive policies and experiences in the field of cultural heritage by bridging the gap between research and practice, the study was prepared with contributions from international researchers and experts from various disciplines. Fields such as cultural heritage tourism, museology, education, architecture, communication, digital humanities, and public policy were brought together under the umbrella of inclusivity. In addition to theoretical discussions, the chapters include literature reviews, institutional experiences, and evaluations based on practical examples and field studies.
The book addresses topics such as accessibility and human well-being in cultural heritage tourism, the role of technology in inclusive experiences, participation in cultural institutions, digital storytelling for people with disabilities, and inclusive education. Various practices were examined, ranging from tactile illumination (dokunsal tezhip) and calligraphy exhibitions for the visually impaired to multisensory museum design, and from game-based approaches to accessibility to engaging children with cultural heritage. The book also covers topics such as learning through universal design, inclusive higher education, sustainable transportation in historic city centers, the relationship between migration and belonging, exclusion in cultural landscapes, equal access to public cultural heritage, and inclusive museum policies. This diversity demonstrates that inclusivity is not limited to the physical characteristics of buildings but is also related to transportation systems, the ways institutions operate, cultural narratives, digital content, and which communities’ memories are given a place.
From Access to Cultural Heritage to Active Participation
In the book’s foreword, TÜBA President Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker approaches cultural heritage not merely as an accumulation inherited from the past, but as a space for shared memory, identity, learning, and social participation. Şeker emphasizes that the value of cultural heritage is strengthened by everyone’s ability to access, interpret, and contribute to this heritage, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, social, cultural, or economic circumstances.
Emphasizing that inclusivity in the field of cultural heritage is not merely a matter of social justice but also carries scientific and institutional responsibility, Şeker highlights the importance of the relationship between the production of scientific knowledge and societal needs. In line with this approach, the book demonstrates that it is insufficient for cultural heritage institutions to evaluate accessibility solely in terms of compliance with legislation or the removal of physical barriers.
“Access Alone Does Not Equate to Inclusivity”
In her preface, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevser Çınar emphasizes that access to cultural heritage is a fundamental cultural right, but that access alone does not ensure inclusivity. She underscores that the fact that a person can enter a museum, visit a historic site, or access digital cultural content does not mean that person is represented in cultural narratives, can participate in experiences, or has a say in decision-making processes.
Dr. Çınar notes that while evaluating the opportunities offered by digital transformation technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, virtual and augmented reality, games, podcasts, open data, and multisensory interfaces can expand access to cultural heritage. However, she points out that technology is not inherently inclusive. The value of technological applications depends on how they are designed, what experiences and information they represent, whether they are accessible to users with diverse needs, and the extent to which these users participate in the development process.