Page 13 - Social_Sustainability of Culture

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But who can have access to culture and heritage?

The term ‘accessibility’ will be defined as a generic concept and interpreted in relation to its dual
articulation as physical and perceptual accessibility. In general, accessibility means the ability of everyone
to use a service or a product, regardless of specificity (disability, age) or context of use. In other words,
accessibility is, by definition, a matter of usability. The point is that anything that is not accessible for
a user is not user- friendly. Practically, accessibility is embedded in the broader scientific field of HCI
(Human Interaction) with Object/Action Design.

The term ‘accessibility’, in its strict definition, denotes the state in which any characteristic of the
domain at issue can be accessed by anyone without discrimination based on sex, age or other
characteristics (physique, strength, perceptive ability etc.), i.e. when anyone can reach and use
infrastructure autonomously, safely and comfortably. However, ‘accessibility’ does not refer only to
infrastructure. Other aspects of accessibility have to do with accessing services, facilities and goods,
engaging in activities and experiences. All these are interacting and can give autonomy and security to the
individual, always in relation to the environment (natural, built or virtual) and lastly the concept of
accessibility to be effective should apply in the field of culture, urban planning, transport, education,
labour, healthy and safety, environment, research and at all levels (local, regional, national, European,
global). Together with the concept of accessibility is important to highlight the Digital engagement in
1
museums which includes anything from a museum website, social media, online collections, digitisation,
interpretation, mobile applications and e-learning tools. Increasingly it has become more about attracting
and connecting to modern digitally audiences with their ready-to-hand tools.
2

2.3 Rewards and Recognition

Significant was the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage that was
adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972. As of 2011, there are 936 World Heritage Sites:
725 cultural, 183 natural, and 28 mixed properties, in 153 countries. Each of these sites is considered
important to the international community. The underwater cultural heritage is protected by the UNESCO
Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. This convention is a legal instrument
helping states parties to improve the protection of their underwater cultural heritage.

In addition, UNESCO has begun designating masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights sitting as part of the United Nations Economic and
Social Council with article 15 of its Covenant had sought to instill the principles under which cultural heri-
tage is protected as part of a basic human right.

list of World Heritage

1 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280312809_ACCESSIBILITY_TO_CULTURE_AND_HERITAGE_DESIGNING_FOR_ALL
2 http://creative-museum.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/analysis-of-best-practices.pdf