Museum accessibility in Spain and Portugal: a systematic review of the literature (2020–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20868/ardin.2026.15.5673Keywords:
museum accessibility , spanish museums, cultural inclusion, digital technologies, systematic review, portuguese museumsAbstract
This article presents a systematic review of the literature on accessibility in museums in Spain and Portugal published between 2020 and 2025. The objective is to identify trends, gaps, and predominant approaches in initiatives aimed at guaranteeing inclusion in museum spaces, considering human diversity and the principles of universal accessibility. The review was developed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses), designed to help transparently document why a systematic review was conducted, how it was done, and what was found. Scopus, Web of Science, and Dialnet were searched, applying inclusion criteria such as open access, thematic relevance, and time period (2020–2025). A total of 729 records were analyzed, of which 29 were selected for complete reading (22 corresponding to Spain, six to Portugal, and one to both countries). The variables studied included years of publication, authorship, language, journal, geographical location, type of museum, and relationship with funded projects. The results show a progressive increase in publications, especially in 2024. The most frequent topic corresponds to the use of digital technologies to improve accessibility, and, on the other hand, significant barriers persist for people with visual and hearing disabilities, as well as scant attention to cognitive and sociocultural accessibility. It is concluded that, although museum accessibility is advancing in both countries, challenges persist to guarantee full cultural participation. It is recommended to develop common indicators to assess accessibility in both countries, as well as to expand research towards cognitive and sociocultural dimensions.
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