1. 1 Entering through the same door - Universal design put simple Soren Ginnerup Danish Building Research Institute Consultant to the COE group on Universal Design 2006

2. 2 Definitions converging Headlines in Europe: universal design design for all integral accessibility accessible design inclusive design barrier-free design transgenerational design accessibility for all

3. 3 Universal Design: Strategy for all aspects of society Aiming at accessible and usable –built environments –communication –products –services Accessible and usable –to everyone –to the greatest extent possible –preferably without adaptations or special solutions

4. 4 Implementing the UN Convention What does the Council of Europe (COE) offer to member states on Universal Design? –Coordinated resolutions –Recommendations to governments –Plans –Examples

5. 5 Selected points in recent COE history ResAP(2001)1 Tomar resolution on Universal Design –Curricula on the built environment Rec(2006)5 Action Plan on promoting rights and full participation –Framework for actions 2006-2015 ResAp(3)2007 Full participation through Universal Design –Recommendations on a broader scale

6. 6 COE Recommendations to governments (1) Promote full participation in community life –prevent the creation of new barriers –design solutions usable by all –integrate Universal Design principles into policies, legislation and practice

7. 7 COE Recommendations to governments (2) Succesful Universal Design: look at the process Promote the application of Universal Design in implementation of the 2006-2015 Disability Action Plan

8. 8 COE Recommendations to governments (4) Ensure widest possible dissemination of the 2007 resolution on Universal Design –awareness-raising campaigns –co-operation with the private sector –co-operation with civil society NGOs of people with disabilities

9. 9 Concentrate on the process stages Is everyone here a professional in processes? Ensure efficiency in –Adoptions and decisions –Coordination –Implementation –Evaluation

10. 10 Adopting principles and making decisions What do we intend to do? –built environment, transport, commu- nication, services? For whom? –groups to include? When? –In 5, 10 or 20 years ?

11. 11 Adoption and decisions Approaches should be: –Coordinated –Harmonized –Intersectorial Particular emphasis on: –Mainstream policies with built in Universal Design

12. 12 Adoptions and decisions Examples Legislation: building regulations –strictly enforced –refurbishing included –more than just persons in wheelchairs Discrimination acts Standards –covering all user groups decided upon –clear links from legislation to standards

13. 13 Co-ordination Making sure we work together –Locally, internally in member states, internationally –Acquiring more knowledge on UD: how do we get it down to earth?

14. 14 Co-ordination Examples: –Assigning responsibility to high- ranking persons in organisations –Information on legislative measures, social services, products, assistive technology

15. 15 Implementation Doing it! Some of the prerequisites: –Adequate funding and resources for projects –Detailed requirements –Standards –Guidelines

16. 16 Evaluation Making sure we are getting there –Are we really achieving full integration? –Do we need to make corrections on the fly? –Maybe change the whole setup?

17. 17 Evaluation Examples: Quality assessment Feedback Instruments for measuring of effects Follow-up procedures Involvement of user organisations

18. 18 COE Report on Universal Design Universal Design –What? –For whom? –How? Examples of UD aspects –Disability action plan provides issues to be covered –Focus on process stages

19. 19 COE and Universal Design in short COE provides backing to UD –Resolution 2007 (3) on Universal Design Recommendations to member states Strong supplement to UN Convention implementation of accessibility components COE Action lines for UD –Disability Action Plan 2006 – 2015 points out Universal Design and accessibility issues COE Examples –Report on Universal Design

20. 20 Universal design put simple We should be able to enter via the same door, in all aspects of society –literally or metaphorically The concept is simple! But it should be handled professionally - in all stages of the process!

21. 21 Thank you!