Perspective from Norway

Can we change the mindset of a whole country and can that country be universally designed by 2025? This is the challenge that has been laid down in Norway, aiming to establish Universal Design as the everyday experience. Norway is currently the only country to write Universal Design into its legislation, making it a legal requirement in a number of situations, from public spaces to websites. The Norwegian Government Action Plan for Universal Design is a key framework for driving this through and represents a paradigm shift in enacting human rights relating to equality and inclusion.

Eikhaug will give an overview of why Universal Design is becoming increasingly important in Norway, taking us through a historical backdrop describing the development of women's participation in society and important milestones related to inclusion and anti-discrimination regarding gender, disability, race and age. She will outline current developments in Universal Design, including barriers and successes. Examples and cases studies will be shown alongside film clips showing speeches from government and royalty to demonstrate and visualise the message. The talk will outline an approach that goes beyond influencing individual designers, researchers, organisations or sectors to tackle a larger question - how can we change a nation?

Experience different eye-diseases, through the artwork of Norways top photographers and works from the Norwegian master painter Edward Munch.

The speech focuses on how to reach huge public masses and raise public awareness through exhibiting art and information in central public spaces.
How to create events with a social message that also gives commercial value.

Raising public awareness is a fundamental part of Universal access and design.
The greatest challenge for many disabled people is not how to deal with the physical aspect of their disability, but social barriers as how to interact, communicate and express themselves in a world full of assumptions and stigmas.

To create efficient solutions in universal design. one must understand the users perception

The speech also focuses on the identity of the disabled.
Who are disabled? and how do we portray ourselves?
How does this self-image affect the usage of universal design.