A Culture of Inclusion: Ensuring equal access to culture, arts, sport and leisure for people with disabilities in Europe
Context
In May 2025, EASPD brought together advocates, experts, practitioners, and policymakers in Gandía, Spain, for the conference A Culture of Inclusion: Enriching Lives through Arts, Sports, and Leisure. From art spaces to sports clubs, the conference highlighted the pivotal role of disability service providers in co-creating opportunities with the disability community.
The paper is structured to provide a comprehensive roadmap for advancing inclusion:
EU policy framework
How existing strategies, policies, and funding instruments shape access to culture, arts, sport, and leisure for persons with disabilities.
Real-life implementation of Article 30
Insights from the Gandia Conference, highlighting key challenges that limit participation in cultural, sporting, and leisure activities.
Good practices from across Europe, showcasing how inclusive models can be adapted to different contexts.
Recommendations for action
EU institutions: Ensure funding and policy frameworks support inclusive access.
National authorities: Align policies with the UNCRPD and EU Disability Rights Strategy.
Service providers: Adopt co-creation and rights-based approaches.
This paper arrives at a critical time. The next phase of the EU Disability Rights Strategy is on the horizon, and the Cultural Compass for Europe provides a framework for Member States to promote inclusion in cultural and artistic activities.
EASPD’s recommendations are a call to action for all stakeholders to move beyond the medical model of disability and embrace a social, rights-based approach. This shift is essential to ensure that arts, culture, sport and leisure are accessible to all, not just as a legal obligation, but as a celebration of inclusion and participation.
Citation
EASPD. (2026). A Culture of Inclusion: Ensuring equal access to culture, arts, sport and leisure for people with disabilities in Europe.
Authors
Irene Bertana, Interim Head of Policy, irene.bertana@easpd.eu
Clara Massé, Junior Policy Officer, clara.masse@easpd.eu
Kalianne Farren, E-Learning Officer, kalianne.farren@easpd.eu
Ilaria Avagnina, Communications Officer, ilaria.avagnina@easpd.eu
Date
Brussels, April 2026