Heritage organisations increasingly sell memory walks as therapy. The evidence is real, thin, and built around someone whose past was safe to return to. The walk begins, as these things
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This article explores how heritage sites, museums, and cultural destinations can go beyond physical access to embrace cognitive and intersectional accessibility. By centring the needs of neurodivergent visitors, people with sensory disabilities, and those from marginalised backgrounds, it offers a bold and practical approach to inclusive tourism. From clear language to multisensory storytelling, it highlights real-world strategies and ethical design practices that make culture accessible to every mind and body.
Cognitive tour journaling enhances tourism by focusing on sensory experiences and emotional responses, especially for neurodivergent participants. It emphasises inclusivity, offers diverse tools for recording experiences, and respects privacy. The practice fosters reflection, collaboration, and ethical data management, ultimately enriching personal insights and improving future tours through shared learning and ongoing adaptation.
Cognitive accessibility in heritage tourism focuses on enhancing visitor experience by considering diverse cognitive needs. Planners should design tours that respect memory, comprehension, and sensory balance, employing inclusive materials and staff training. Emphasising relational design fosters engagement and dignity, ensuring everyone can participate meaningfully in cultural experiences.
