Assessment Tools for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism

The accessibility of buildings and urban spaces is still considered, in most cases, only one of the several normative constraints to be respected. Considering the specific case of the built historical heritage with public functions the need to ensure the accessibility for all the users has to be put in relation also with the need to preserve the historical image and value of the building. These issues imply to consider several elements and aspects that have to be organized and assessed during the design process. These considerations bring to the following questions: how to objectively investigate the accessibility conditions for historical buildings? Furthermore, how to guide architects and designers to develop accessible and inclusive solutions and enhance the built historical heritage? In order to answer these questions, the research proposes an assessment tool able to calculate the accessibility levels of the historical buildings and guide the development of design solutions for all. The tool breakdowns the building under investigation into specific areas, indicators and parameters which are objectively determinable. It is initially developed for historical Museums, but thanks to its structure it is exportable to other public functions. The resulting assessments are organized into specific output (accessibility maps, apps for smartphones, etc.) with the aim to help visitors with special needs to use and experience spaces and functions and to improve the accessible tourism.