Accessibility in Museum Management: Insights by Review Integrating DEAI and CRPD Principles

This paper introduces an innovative paradigm that uniquely applies the DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) framework exclusively to disability rights, operationalised through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) within museum contexts. This novel approach marks the first focused deployment of DEAI principles centred solely on persons with disabilities, departing from generic applications. The paradigm articulates a multidimensional matrix of thematic indicators aligned with CRPD mandates, enabling robust evaluation and strategic enhancement of accessibility and inclusion in cultural heritage institutions. Its versatility allows adaptation across governance structures, policy development, and operational management, facilitating systemic transformation toward disability-centred equity. By bridging international human rights law with actionable, evidence-based frameworks, this work pioneers an advanced methodology for embedding disability inclusion into museum praxis. This contribution significantly expands DEAI’s conceptual boundaries, establishing a replicable and scalable model for culturally grounded, legally informed accessibility innovation.