Cultural tourism experiences and children with disabilities: are Italian museums ready?

Abstract

ABSTRACT In recent years, research on accessible and inclusive tourism has grown considerably. However, the target of families with children with disabilities and their experiences in the cultural and museum fields have been neglected. The paper addresses this research gap by exploring the level of accessibility of Italian museums in terms of facilities, services, and personnel. Museums are integral components of the cultural tourism sector, and our paper investigates whether families with children with disabilities are taken into consideration and if their needs addressed. By employing a cluster analysis, three museum clusters were identified, each presenting significant differences in attitudes towards accessibility and inclusion, ranging from the most accessible to those museums with bigger areas of improvement. The subsequent discussion dissects these findings and formulates strategic recommendations and implications that could represent an opportunity to foster inclusion within cultural institutions and propel the academic discourse on the subject.