In 2006, the Council of Europe issued a ”Disability Action Plan” aimed at improving the quality of life of peoplewith disabilities in Europe. This document highlighted the levels of discrimination that disabled people face in their everyday life, and included references to access to culture and heritage. It states that ”people with disabilities must be able to participate in cultural life like everybody else” and says that people
who organise culture should have an understanding about disability. In the Balkans disabled people experience high levels of discrimination and are often marginalised from society.
A recent European Union (EU) project revealed that disabled people are often excluded from economic progress and are frequently denied basic human rights, such as access to education and culture. They remain objects of charity. Many museums do not welcome disabled people and in fact create barriers to their ability to enjoy their own heritage and culture.
