Asigurarea accesului persoanelor cu dizabilităţi la patrimoniul muzeal: aspecte legislative şi cadru funcţional în Republica Moldova
Ensuring access for persons with disabilities to museum heritage: Legislative aspects and functional framework in the Republic of Moldova

Summary/Abstract: The accessibility of museum heritage for people with disabilities represents a major challenge and a legal and ethical responsibility for cultural institutions. This study analyzes the legislative and functional frame- work in the Republic of Moldova regarding the access of people with disabilities to museums, considering both international regulations (the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – CRPD, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Protection and Promotion of Museums, the European Charter of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) and national legislation (Law on Museums No. 262/2017 and Law No. 60/2012 on the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities). In the current context, museums are not only conceived as spaces for the conservation of heritage but also as ac- tors of social inclusion, having the obligation to provide equitable access conditions for all visitors. Accessibility is approached multidimensionally: physical (ramps, elevators, adapted furniture), sensory (tactile guides, Braille explanatory panels, audio guides), and cognitive (accessible language, interactive exhibitions). The digitization of collections and the use of assistive technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing, have significant potential in facilitating access to heritage. The analysis highlights that, although the Republic of Moldova has made significant progress in regulating museum accessibility, the implementation of these measures remains fragmented. The main challenges include the lack of financial resources, the absence of an effective monitoring framework, and the lack of clear sanctions for non- compliance with accessibility standards. The study recommends the development of clear mechanisms for evaluating and enforcing existing norms, training museum staff in interacting with visitors with disabilities, creating a public reporting system on museum accessibility, and strengthening collaboration with relevant organizations. The conclusions emphasize the need for a systemic and integrated approach to accessibility in museums in the Republic of Moldova, aligned with international best practices, to transform museum heritage into an inclusive and accessible space for all.

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