At the beginning of June, Liepāja 2027’s Community Engagement Project Manager Justīne Rusakova participated in the “Access Day” conference at Tammistu Manor in the Tartu region, Estonia.
This international event gathered over 80 participants from Estonia and Latvia to exchange experiences and practices related to accessibility in cultural heritage sites, tourism routes, and public life.
At the heart of the conference – a person with a disability who wants to experience culture fully.
Justīne shared Liepāja 2027 existing experience and implemented accessibility solutions, such as:
She also outlined future actions – including the recently signed cooperation agreement with the Latvian Umbrella Body for Disability Organisations SUSTENTO and the upcoming accessibility-focused conference later this year.
This event inspired us to see accessibility not as a technical task, but as a core value. We were deeply moved to witness how people with disabilities actively enjoy life – travelling, hiking, attending festivals and concerts.
Examples presented at the conference confirmed that challenges related to accessibility of cultural heritage affect us all. Yet with creative thinking, it is possible to preserve the historical value of cultural sites while making culture truly accessible to everyone.
Ensuring accessibility requires more than physical solutions – it demands a shift in mindset and a willingness to collaborate. Empathy, the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes, and close cooperation with people with disabilities are essential in shaping meaningful and inclusive cultural experiences for all.
The forum is organized by the Kurzeme Planning Region with the support of the Estonia-Latvia Programme.
More information: mapeirons.eu
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