Barcelona’s six major cultural facilities, including the Auditorium, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Flower Market, the Palau de la Música Catalana, the Lliure Theater and the National Theater of Catalonia, have implemented a new policy to improve access to culture for people with disabilities.
This initiative, which seeks to motivate and increase the participation of people with high dependency in Barcelona’s cultural programming, was presented at Apropa Cultura’s annual event.
The new policy, which will come into effect on January 1, 2024 and is already available at most facilities, offers substantial discounts between 25% and 50% for the person with a disability and most significantly, free admission for the accompanying person.
This is an important step in improving the cultural experience for those with disabilities and ensuring that they can fully enjoy the arts in the city.
More access to culture for people with disabilities
To take advantage of this benefit, individuals must be accredited with a disability card issued by the Generalitat de Catalunya. In some cases, the condition of need of accompaniment is also required, which must be specified in the disability card.
This approach ensures that the policy especially benefits those who really need additional support.
A study conducted by the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities, IMPD in 2019, highlighted the economic aggravation suffered by people with disabilities compared to those without.
This new measure has been enthusiastically welcomed by the affected groups, as it seeks to directly address the economic challenges faced by people with disabilities.
Apropa Cultura, the initiative behind this new policy, is known for promoting accessibility to culture in collaboration with the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities and other entities.
The move came ahead of the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, marking a significant milestone in Barcelona’s commitment to inclusion.
Inclusive culture
The six participating cultural facilities are already part of Apropa Cultura, offering seats at symbolic prices to social and health entities registered in the program.
This new policy of free access for accompanying persons adds to its ongoing efforts to make culture accessible to all.
With this initiative, Barcelona joins other leading cities around the world that recognize the importance of ensuring that culture is accessible to all citizens, regardless of their physical abilities.
Cultural accessibility is not only a fundamental right, but also enriches the diversity, inclusion and activity of cultural life in Barcelona.
