Preserving Heritage, Ensuring Access: Accessibility Challenges in National Heritage Buildings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/idealogy.v11i2.699Abstract
This research is focussed on issues surmounting accessibility in heritage buildings. At present, heritage buildings are one of the highest, if not the foremost, tourist attraction across Malaysia. However, inadequate accessibility provisions have hindered some (including those with disabilities, the elderly and parents with wheelchairs) to visit and enjoy the heritage value. National heritage should be able to be viewed, explored and enjoyed by all without any discrimination or hindrance for anyone. However, inadequate accessible provisions in heritage buildings still prevail across Malaysia and is understood to be through the lack of many guises. This research adopts a qualitative approach to investigate and assess accessibility provisions, both those provided and those lacking, across Malaysia. The determinants of the indicators were preliminarily compiled from literature and previous studies on “heritage tourism” concepts. The initial construct of indicators was then further confirmed through face-to-face semi-structured interviews involving 8 National Heritage Building operators in Malaysia. Their views were required to obtain descriptors on the issues and challenges in providing necessary accessibility provisions in heritage buildings. The transcription and interpretation from the interview findings were carried out using Atlas.ti a qualitative software and is discussed.
Keywords: Accessibility, Disability, Heritage Tourism, Inclusive Design, Person with Disability Act, National Heritage Act.
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