Since 2018, the “INKuLtur” project has been promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities through participation in the cultural life of society in different regions of Russia.
DRA e.V. and the Russian partners have developed the project “INKuLtur”" to attract attention to the topic of participation in cultural life and increase access to cultural offer for people with disabilities.

In 2012, Russia ratified the UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities, which is directed to equal participation of them in public life. Since then, a number of measures have been taken to create a barrier-free environment. However, most of these measures relate to basic needs, such as social services and infrastructure. The low priority is still given to barrier-free access and an inclusive approach to culture and leisure, that`s why people with disabilities are excluded from an important area of public life.

In addition to the lack of necessary infrastructure, often psychological barriers and the lack of skills of cultural institutions workers prevent people with disabilities from participation in cultural life. Uncertainty about the treatment of visitors with disabilities often leads to inappropriate behaviour or ill-advised remarks that can be extremely hurtful and demotivating. The project “INKuLtur” strives to improve awareness of inclusions issues, social and cultural diversity in order to facilitate the participation of people with disabilities in the cultural life of the community, to help their acceptance and reduce barriers “in heads”.

The project offers educational activities in the form of seminars and webinars, oriented to employees of cultural institutions. At seminars and webinars with the involvement of various people with disabilities and other referents from Russia and Germany participants will get knowledge in particular about the interaction with people with disabilities, about the development and implementation of inclusive projects in cultural institutions, as well as exchange, interaction and transfer of best practices.

In addition, the concept of an accessible environment in three types of cultural institutions - cinemas, theatres and museums will be developed. The concept will be developed by a Russian-German team of experts from the social sphere, culture and art, science and inclusion. Work on the concept will end with the presentation of “inclusive labels”, which will take into account various aspects of accessibility of cultural institutions.

In addition, a barrier-free Russian website will be created to present inclusive cultural proposals and to share experiences and approaches in the field of inclusion in cultural institutions. It will become an crossregional platform for union and information exchange between people with disabilities, relatives and stakeholders, activists and experts in the field of inclusion and culture from different regions of Russia and thus support the objectives of the “INKuLtur” project.