What does universal design mean?

In the 70s, the remote control was a special product for people with reduced functional ability. Today, it is universal design personified: A simple and accessible solution that is used by all.

A product, building or outdoor area is universally designed if all people, no matter what their functional abilities are, can use it. This renders special equipment and aids superfluous.

- The tradition in Norway is to plan for a healthy 40-year-old man. Then we create special additional solutions. Instead, the focus should be on people with disabilities. They are the ones with the highest quality requirements when it comes to accessibility and user friendliness, says The Norwegian Association of Disabled. They believe universal designs also will benefit the rest of the population, as they are functional, user friendly and without hindrances.

In practice, this means no steps to access buildings, wider doorframes and fewer curbs. Trains and buses should have simple and safe access for all and provide information about stops and destinations both in writing and orally. Special solutions such as wheelchair ramps next to the stairs should be rendered superfluous as far as possible, as the main solution is adapted to all users.

The Ministry of the Environment and The Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion has, drawn up an action plan for universal design in cooperation with other affected ministries. Several laws, including The Planning and Building Act, contain rules on universal design, accessibility and user friendliness. There are also some quality requirements in regulations, guidelines and standards. You will find a collection of relevant building rules on the website belonging to the National Office of Building Technology and Administration in Norway. (http://www.be.no/beweb/regler/regeltop.html) The menu to the right contains links to important public documents as well as to organisations and bodies that can provide more information on universal design.