Including people with intellectual disabilities in cultural institutions: supporting participation and enjoyment through digital innovation and artificial intelligence

INCLUDE-ID will aim to transform cultural heritage institutions into inclusive, adaptive ecosystems that foster autonomy, participation, and social inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Despite growing awareness of accessibility, people with ID remain excluded from cultural participation due to cognitive, communicative, sensory, and motor challenges. INCLUDE-ID addresses these gaps by integrating co-design, AI-driven personalization, and multisensory practices into a developmental and lifespan perspective. The project pursues seven objectives: 1. map and analyze challenges and needs across European cultural heritage institutions; 2.co-design inclusive participation pathways with individuals with ID, families, educators, and professionals; 3. develop and validate AI-based adaptive tools that personalize cultural experiences, ensuring ethical and accessible use; 4. empower families, cultural professionals, and young people with ID as co-facilitators of cultural participation; 5. implement and assess an inclusive visitor pathway for children and adolescents with ID, engaging schools and families; 6. implement and assess a mediator pathway enabling young adults with ID to act as cultural guides, promoting autonomy, inclusion, and employment; 7. produce sustainable policy recommendations, best practices, and participatory events that challenge stigma and enhance societal engagement. INCLUDE-ID will generate scalable, replicable frameworks that embed inclusion structurally within cultural heritage institutions. By leveraging AI and multimodal adaptations, the project will pioneer individualized, enjoyable cultural experiences. It will reposition people with ID as active cultural agents, participants, co-creators, and professionals, while creating new opportunities for inclusive innovation and professional development.