Balancing Accessibility and History: A Visual Case Study of Historical Buildings in Madrid

How do we balance the preservation of the rich past with the ever-changing evolution of an inclusive future? How can we include people of differing abilities in the exploration of artistic and historical sites, without changing or defacing the physical nature of these sites? As the world becomes more connected, and people of all abilities are allowed the capacity to engage in global tourism, it is important to document how urban areas with historic sites are adjusting. While the United States has legislation in place such as the Americans with Disabilities Act to require and guide physical accommodations to preexisting architecture, there is no international requirement that historical sites be made accessible to people with disabilities. Scholars in the fields of Disability Studies, Urban Planning, and Architecture, all attempt to juggle the question: How do we balance accessibility for all and the preservation of history? This is a complicated question – however, this does not mean that it cannot be answered through first-hand experience and documentation of historic sites. This project will delve into a possible addition to the conversation by observing and documenting historic buildings in Madrid, Spain. This documentation will manifest as a visual case study which utilizes photography and detailed drawings of accommodations, focused particularly on the additions made to historic buildings to increase their physical accessibility. This documentation will be paired with journalistic commentary which describes my first-hand experience assessing these accommodations, with the hope that this creative project may act as a resource and guide to future students with disabilities wishing to study abroad.