The Ministry of Culture of Peru held a participatory meeting on April 24 to gather experiences, identify barriers, and highlight good practices related to accessibility in cultural services. The event took place at the Gran Teatro Nacional and included technical support from CAPAZ Perú, an organization specializing in cultural accessibility.
The initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities can fully exercise their cultural rights. Organizers said the activity aimed to address obstacles found in environments, services, and practices that limit participation in cultural life.
A total of 34 participants attended the session. These included independent cultural agents experienced in accessible service delivery, specialists from the Gran Teatro Nacional’s public engagement team, representatives from Lima’s Accessible Culture Network institutions and Casa de la Literatura Peruana. Public servants from several Lima Metropolitan municipalities—such as Barranco, Jesús María, San Isidro, Chorrillos and Villa El Salvador—also participated through their culture departments or offices dedicated to supporting people with disabilities.
During discussions, attendees identified several challenges: limited accessible infrastructure; gaps in communication about available services; insufficient integration of accessibility criteria during planning; lack of supports and adjustments; budget constraints; limited specialized training; weak institutional coordination; and persistent attitudinal barriers. As a result, organizers said there is a need for practical tools that help cultural agents gradually incorporate accessibility into their offerings. Feedback gathered will inform a new Guide for Accessibility for Cultural Industries and Arts Services aimed at both public and private sector professionals.
According to the official website, the Ministry fosters social inclusion by protecting heritage and promoting diversity across Peru according to the official website. It utilizes decentralized facilities alongside its San Borja headquarters to support programs throughout communities nationwide. The Ministry belongs to the Peruvian Executive Branch as an autonomous ministry according to its website, operating under ministerial leadership while serving stakeholders across Peru as reported by its official site. Since its creation in 2010 it has overseen national policy on culture while advancing initiatives that support social inclusion and national identity according to its official history.
This initiative aligns with Law No. 29973 (General Law on Persons with Disabilities) as well as National Cultural Policy toward 2030 which promotes equal access for all citizens. Organizers announced plans for a virtual nationwide meeting involving regional governments’ representatives so input can be collected from different parts of Peru.
