Break the Barrier:Why Accessible Culture Shouldn't Be a Luxury
Editor’s Note:
At Be Human, we value highlighting the voices of our community. Below, Benny Michaels calls attention to an unaddressed issue in Luxembourg: the lack of accessibility in culture for people with disabilities. Have you ever considered the additional barriers it takes to host an open mic, have an art exhibition? In a society struggling with the rise of individualism, it is essential that community initiatives are supported, not discouraged — especially on a systemic level.
Read the full article below and support petition no. 3786!
Culture is the heartbeat of a community: the open mic night, the poetry reading, the independent theatre performance — moments of shared experience that enrich our lives and strengthen our social fabric. But for too many, this vibrant life is inaccessible, blocked by a flight of stairs or the prohibitive cost of a truly accessible venue.
This is a fundamental issue of equity. Culture belongs to everyone, yet in our community, access is often a luxury, not a right. We have a chance right now to change that by urging the Chamber of Deputies to enact systemic change. We are calling on lawmakers to move beyond good intentions and implement a comprehensive roadmap for an inclusive cultural landscape.
Take a stand for inclusion and sign the petition immediately: https://www.petitiounen.lu/fr/petition/3786?type=PUB
The petition, “Wheelchair access shouldn't cost more—culture belongs to everyone!” (Pétition publique n°3786), addresses a painful reality: the creation of a two-tier culture. On one level, big-budget, centralized events might meet accessibility standards. But the true, vibrant core of local culture—the small, impromptu gatherings, the emerging artists, the non-profit collectives — is frequently relegated to private venues like bars, cafés, and small halls that remain stubbornly inaccessible. If a venue is accessible, the commercial rental rates often exclude the very grassroots groups that make culture dynamic. This means countless wheelchair users and disabled artists are left out of the daily cultural conversation.
This is why the petition puts forward five essential, achievable demands:
Open the Doors of Public Spaces: We must utilize existing public infrastructure —like community centers, libraries, and school auditoriums — by dedicating them as fully accessible and affordable cultural hubs. This instantly provides space for emerging artists and community groups without the barrier of steep commercial rents.
Incentivize Private Venues: We call for targeted financial support — subsidies, tax breaks, or direct aid — for private establishments willing to invest in accessibility upgrades (ramps, accessible toilets) and commit to hosting community events without inflated access fees.
Create Micro-Grants for Organizers: Small organizations and artists shouldn’t have to choose between financial survival and inclusion. A micro-funding mechanism is needed to help groups cover the cost of renting accessible venues, ensuring that their shows and events can be held in central, popular locations.
Launch a Centralized Accessibility Platform: We need a single, trusted national resource that provides up-to-date, community-verified information on venue accessibility. This simple tool saves countless hours and ensures people can plan their cultural outings with confidence.
Put Disabled Voices in Power: Policy must be co-created. We need a dedicated working group of disabled artists, performers, and organizers to shape long-term accessibility strategies based on lived experience, not guesswork.
Every day that passes without affordable, accessible spaces is another event missed, another artist excluded, and another opportunity for connection lost. Our community deserves better. We need 5,500 signatures to force a public debate in the Chamber of Deputies. Your signature is a vote for an inclusive future.
Don't wait. Sign the petition today and help us break the barrier! https://www.petitiounen.lu/fr/petition/3786?type=PUB
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