International Association for Universal Design

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IAUD Medium-Term Vision

Background

The IAUD contributes to making society "enjoyable and convenient for as many people as possible" across the boundaries of different industries and businesses and of organizations and individuals.

The type of society we aim to realize has the following characteristics:

There are sufficient measures for promoting UD as well as infrastructures such as databases on physical abilities and common UD standards.
Firms and organizations can offer UD environment, products, services, and systems with confidence.
Consumers have enhanced awareness of UD and can appropriately select and use UD products.

To this end, we will promote the following activities:

Working with central and local governments to implement measures for preparing the infrastructures necessary to realize UD.
Working with members (firms, organizations and individuals) to actively promote the use of UD products and services.
Working with members (consumers) to encourage responsibility in their selection of products and services.

Medium-term vision

During the medium term of three years, we will aim to develop the following action plan by March 2008:

For society as a whole (preparation of UD infrastructures).
- Preparation of common UD standards.
- Commissioned joint research.
For firms and organizations (making UD products and services available).
- Preparation of UD standards and UD marks.
- Establishment of the UD awards.
- Management of systems for assisting firms and organizations develop UD products and services (employee education, assessment, technology loans).
- Establishment of UD information centers.
For consumers (advancement of UD culture).
- Management of systems for enlightening consumers (seminars, opening the IAUD's activities to the public, use of the media, development).
- Installation of users' "Voice Post" (tentative title).

Supplementary information

Our activities will be carried out mainly in Japan. The results and other information related to those activities will be disseminated abroad, and international exchanges will be promoted.
- Publication of the IAUD bulletin in English, participation in international conferences, organization of international conferences.
- Membership qualifications will be considered separately.
The IAUD will operate as a "Nin-i Dantai" (a private organization neither controlled nor protected by the law).
- The IAUD will not have the status of the juridical person for three years but will operate as quasi-public Nin-i Dantai.

Illustration: Medium-Term Vision

Common UD standards	We will work on the government to set common standards across all government ministries and agencies and all industries and businesses. We will indicate standards on usability for all people and minimum baselines that should be complied with.
Commissioned joint research	We will accept commissioned research from the government, firms, and other organizations for pay or grants.
Establishment of UD standards and UD marks	UD standards and UD marks may indicate recommended benchmarks and advanced levels of UD.
Establishment of awards	The awards will be managed as a business project.
Systems for assisting product & service development	We will introduce systems for assisting small- and medium-sized firms and other member firms lacking in experience develop UD products. They will include employee education, UD assessment of products, and provision of UD technology.
UD information centers	We will establish UD salons and develop the official website.
Systems for consumer enlightenment	We will organize seminars for consumers. While utilizing general media, we will develop independent PR methods.
Users' Voice Post (tentative title)	We will introduce a system for reflecting consumers' voice on the development of products and services.