𝐢𝐍𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

🔍 Expert Insights from the iNCLUSION Project

🎙️ We spoke with Daniel Weiss (Stichting for Education on Agility Liberating Structures - SEALS), whose work sits at the intersection of accessibility, cultural agency, and institutional transformation.


In this conversation, Weiss reflects on:

🔴 How distributing authority transforms interpretation from a one-directional transmission into a collaborative process

🔴 Why lived experience holds epistemic legitimacy alongside curatorial expertise, making accessibility professionals authors of meaning, not just facilitators

🔴 How this shift generates real social value through leadership, employment, and cultural agency for underrepresented communities


His insights remind us that accessibility is both an obligation, and an engine of innovation, relevance, and sustainable institutional transformation.

📌 Read the full interview via the LINK in comments below 🔗👇

📢 🌍 Culture belongs to everyone, but it’s not accessible to everyone

New research findings from the are now available as factsheets in multiple languages!

These easy-to-read infographics present key insights on the accessibility of cultural institutions and heritage sites in Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.


📊 The data explores:

🔴 How inclusive cultural spaces currently are
🔴 How disabled persons experience cultural institutions
🔴 What skills and training heritage professionals need to improve accessibility


📌 The presented findings are part of the project’s broader research into accessibility gaps and skills needs in the cultural and tourism sectors, helping inform more inclusive practices across museums and heritage sites.

📥 Download the infographics in your language. Links in the comments are below. 👇🔗



Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi | Artifactory | | SOBE - Selçuklu Otizmli Bireyler Eğitim Vakfı | Anadolu Üniversitesi | Balkan Museum Network

🌍🤝 The iNCLUSION project continues connecting people and ideas across the region.

Following successful Info Days in Spain and Türkiye organised by TÜBA, partners Anadolu University, SOBE, and the Balkan Museum Network hosted five additional Info Days in Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

✨ These sessions brought together higher-education students, cultural professionals, disability associations, and disabled persons to share feedback and explore the educational resources developed through the project.

📌 From the National Gallery of BiH in Sarajevo to Anadolu University in Eskişehir and Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya, the discussions highlighted project achievements, key findings, and the educational e-books developed so far.

👉 What’s next?
A survey is now underway, inviting representatives of disability communities and cultural workers to review and evaluate the stories created for the project’s e-books.

📋 Their feedback will help refine these materials and ensure they reflect the needs and perspectives of disabled persons engaging with cultural heritage.

More updates coming soon as the project moves toward its final phase. 🎯 🏛️

Spotlight on Inclusion: Dr. Ümit Savaş Taşkesen on KONTV

We’re proud to spotlight Dr. Ümit Savaş Taşkesen, who recently appeared on KONTV to share insights into the iNCLUSION project—a collaborative EU-funded initiative dedicated to making cultural heritage accessible to everyone.
In a compelling conversation with moderator Emine Simge Akoğul, Dr. Taşkesen discussed his academic work at Necmettin Erbakan University and highlighted the mission of the iNCLUSION project. He explained how this multi-national partnership is breaking barriers by using digital storytelling to transform museums, historical landmarks, and cultural sites into inclusive spaces.
The project specifically focuses on creating tailored narratives for individuals with special needs and neurodivergent communities, ensuring that our shared history is not just preserved, but is truly reachable and engaging for all. By reshaping cultural content through an inclusive lens, the project aims to foster a deeper sense of belonging and social awareness across Europe.
📚 This work reminds us: true inclusion begins when we transform our heritage into a shared experience for every individual.

📢 ✨ iNCLUSION Info Day in Sarajevo

The iNCLUSION project Info Day, organized by the Balkan Museum Network, took place on February 12 at the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.

🤝🏛️ Director of the Umjetnička galerija BiH, Strajo Krsmanović, Museum Educator, Aida Šarac Berbić, and the BMN Secretary General, Aida Vežić, welcomed accessibility experts, cultural practitioners, NGO representatives, pedagogy students, cultural workers, and disabled persons in attendance.


Following the opening remarks, Šarac Berbić presented the key findings from the iNCLUSION project research, focusing on:

🔴 Gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills related to accessibility and inclusion among cultural workers and in the cultural institutions

🔴 The perspectives of disabled people, including the most common barriers they face, their familiarity with accessible materials and programs in museums, and awareness of their cultural rights


📌 For full insights and recommendations, explore the factsheets focusing on BiH, North Macedonia, and Türkiye at the link below. 🔗👇


📚 An Inclusive Digital Journey

The central focus of the event was one of the five ebooks developed as part of the iNCLUSION project: Journey through Bosnian and Herzegovinian Art, that features eight renowned artworks from the National Gallery of BiH and the Gallery of Portraits Tuzla.

💡 Designed so everyone can experience art in their own way, the e-book includes audio narration, sign-language translation, animations and video content, and texts written in easy-to-read language and accompanied with the dictionary and alternative descriptions.

Following the testing phase, this and other ebooks developed within the iNCLUSION project will be disseminated to all key stakeholders.

💭 The participants welcomed the new materials and praised their practical value, but also openly addressed the ongoing challenges in building sustainable dialogue between institutions and communities.

These discussions served as an important reminder that improving accessibility requires continuous effort and strategic partnerships.

🌟 Thank you to everyone who contributed to an open and meaningful exchange during the event. Stay tuned for more updates from the iNCLUSION project partners. 🔎🚀



Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi | Artifactory | | SOBE - Selçuklu Otizmli Bireyler Eğitim Vakfı | Anadolu Üniversitesi |

🔍 Expert Insights from the iNCLUSION Project

🎙️ We spoke with Dr. Irena Ruzin (Музеј Битола - Bitola Museum) and MA Aida Sarac Berbic (Umjetnička galerija BiH) as part of the expert interviews.

Drawing on their long-term museum practice and regional collaboration, in their conversations they reflect on:

🔴 Building meaningful inclusion through sustained museum practice

🔴 Strengthening accessibility standards and community impact

🔴 Embedding inclusion into everyday museum work through collaboration with higher education

Their shared message is clear: inclusion works best when it’s rooted in commitment, cooperation, and intentional, everyday practice.

📌 Links to both interviews are in the comments 👇



Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi | Artifactory | | SOBE - Selçuklu Otizmli Bireyler Eğitim Vakfı | Anadolu Üniversitesi | Balkan Museum Network

📢 ✨ A New Way to See Art: Join the Info Day in

We are delighted to announce a series of Info Days aimed at promoting inclusive and accessible approaches to culture!

The first upcoming event, organized by the Balkan Museum Network, will take place on February 12 at the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on:

🔴 Inclusive digital storytelling in museums and galleries

🔴 Accessibility and inclusion in cultural institutions today

🔴 Skills, knowledge and tools for cultural professionals working with universal design

🔴 Research insights shaping more accessible cultural practices


🖼️ The attendees will also have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with innovative resources.

The project team developed inclusive presentations of eight selected artworks in a variety of multimedia and accessible formats, following the principles of universal design.

💡 The discussion builds on existing iNCLUSION research conducted in , and , sharing concise findings on physical, digital and communicational accessibility, as well as the current capacities of cultural institutions and professionals.


KEY INFORMATION

🗓️ When: 12 February 2026

📍 Where: National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo Umjetnička galerija BiH

💬 Work Language: Bosnian

📌 How to join: Registration is mandatory. For all details, follow the link in the comments 👇🔗


ℹ️ The Info Day is a continuation of the iNCLUSION project's efforts toward strengthening inclusive cultural practices and accessibility in the arts and across heritage and tourism sectors.
We look forward to welcoming you! 🤝🏛️



Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi | Artifactory | SEALS Foundation | SOBE - Selçuklu Otizmli Bireyler Eğitim Vakfı | Anadolu Üniversitesi |

🔍 Expert Insights from the iNCLUSION Project

🎙️ We spoke with Dr. Tezcan Çavuşoğlu (PhD), Anadolu University, whose work in early childhood special education brings an essential perspective to inclusive digital culture.

In the interview, Dr. Çavuşoğlu reflects on:

🔴 Identifying real inclusion needs in the cultural and heritage sector

🔴 Translating work with children and families with developmental and multiple disabilities into inclusive digital standards

🔴 Strengthening HED training through micro-credentials at the intersection of cultural heritage, ICT, and special education

His insights highlight how research, education, and practice can come together to create more accessible cultural experiences.


📌 Read the full interview via the LINK in comments below 🔗👇

💡 🌍 ISTANBUL | iNCLUSION Conference – Highlights & Reflections

The International Conference on iNCLUSION in the Heritage Sector, held at the Boğaziçi University on January 10, 2026, has successfully concluded.

🔍 The event brought together a number of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, educators, and disability advocates who explored a range of topics across 12 panels and 5 keynote sessions.


🌟 Keynote sessions, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevser Çınar (iNCLUSION Project Coordinator – TÜBA), featured:

🔴 Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Uysal (University of Massachusetts–Amherst)

🔴 Prof. Dr. Faizan Ali (University of Galway)

🔴 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Enrico Dolza (Università di Torino)

🔴 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Colins (Bilkent University)

🔴 Muhammed Taha Türk (Istinye University)


💭 REFLECTIONS ON THE CONFERENCE 💭

🎤 Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Şeker's (TÜBA President, Conference Organizing Committee)

“Protection of cultural heritage is only possible when it is made accessible to everyone, stating that the iNCLUSION Conference provides a strong platform for discussing this approach on an international scale. The presentations addressed key issues such as inclusivity discourses in the fields of cultural heritage and tourism, the ethical and social dimensions of accessibility, technology-driven transformation processes, and empowerment-oriented approaches.

The conference concluded by highlighting recommendations aimed at strengthening inclusivity in the cultural heritage sector and enhancing international cooperation, while also underlining the importance of developing new forward-looking projects in this field.”

🎤 Muhammed Taha Türk (Conference speaker/participant)
“This event allowed me to meet many people from the field. I represented İstinye Üniversitesi as a visually impaired student and I’m delighted to have contributed to the Conference’s loud announcement of the importance of accessibility.”


📌 While we are still collecting impressions, feedback, and outcomes from the conference, it is clear that it created a rare space where research, lived experience, and practice could meet, reinforcing accessibility as a core value to be found in cultural heritage and tourism sectors.

🤝 Thank you to all speakers, participants, and partners for contributing to this important milestone! 🏛️



Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi | Artifactory | SEALS Foundation | SOBE - Selçuklu Otizmli Bireyler Eğitim Vakfı | Anadolu Üniversitesi | Balkan Museum Network

📍 ISTANBUL: The iNCLUSION Conference is underway!

As the final activity of the iNCLUSION project, the “International Conference on iNCLUSION in the Heritage Sector” brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to explore how cultural heritage can become more inclusive, accessible, and future-ready.

📋 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 📋

The conference features 12 panels and 5 keynote speakers, addressing critical themes such as digital accessibility, inclusive narratives, policy and best practices, community co-creation, and sustainable, inclusive tourism.


🌟 Keynote session, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kevser Çınar (iNCLUSION Project Coordinator – TÜBA), will feature:


🔴 Prof. Dr. Muzaffer Uysal (University of Massachusetts–Amherst)
Critical Discourses on Inclusion and Accessibility in Cultural-Heritage Tourism

🔴 Prof. Dr. Faizan Ali (University of Galway)
From Access to Empowerment: Rethinking Inclusivity in Heritage Through Technology

🔴 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Enrico Dolza (Università di Torino)
Cultural Heritage and Sensorial and Cognitive Accessibility

🔴 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Colins (Bilkent University)
Unseen Citizens of Culture: Ageism, Ableism, and the Ethics of Inclusion in Türkiye’s Performing Arts Heritage

🔴 Muhammed Taha Türk (Istinye University)
Accessibility in Museums and Digital Exhibitions


📌 For the full programme, follow the link in the comments 👇🔗


Today is about reflection, exchange, and collaboration with the aim of shaping more inclusive cultural and tourism practices for the future.

Thank you for being part of the change! ✨



🗓️ 10 January 2026 | Boğaziçi University

Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi | Artifactory | SEALS Foundation | SOBE - Selçuklu Otizmli Bireyler Eğitim Vakfı | Anadolu Üniversitesi | Balkan Museum Network