ABSTRACT
Lack of accessibility is one of the main environmental barriers to participation of people with disabilities in artistic and cultural events. The objective of the research is to analyse the existing accessibility measures in the Guelaguetza Festival and the perception of inclusion of people with reduced mobility. The festival is the major cultural event held annually in Oaxaca which, in turn, is one of the most visited cities in Mexico. People with reduced mobility includes people with disabilities but also attendees with a certain difficulty to walk such as elderly people, young children, pregnant women, and so forth, adding up to around 40% of the total Mexican population. A mixed methodology was developed based on the application of a checklist, interviews with officials and analysis of administrative documents before the event, architectural analysis of the main venue, and direct observation and interviews with staff during the event. The results show severe restrictions for people with reduced mobility who want to attend the event although improvements have been made in the last years.
