New Action Plan for Accessibility through Universal Design

The Norwegian Government's “Action Plan for increased accessibility for persons with disabilities. Plan for universal design in key areas of society” was presented in the fall of 2004. The Government is implementing this five-year action plan to enhance the accessibility of transport, buildings, outdoor areas and information for all members of society. The plan is based on the principles of distributed responsibility (each public sector is responsible for implementing the policy in its domain), user participation at all levels, and evaluation as an ongoing process and integrated activity.

Key policy instruments include:

• Integration of universal design principles into public sector activities
• Launching of pilot projects
• Accessibility measures
• Competence-building
• Information and advisory services

The plan describes nearly 100 measures to be implemented during the five-year period. In the first years, priority will be given to increasing the number of accessible dwellings and public buildings, improving accessibility on railways, implementing the WAI Standard on public websites, devising new rules for public procurements and launching measures to dismantle barriers at the local level.

A total of NOK 186 million is allocated for these purposes in the government's 2005-budget. The activities under the plan will be reviewed by a Committee made up of undersecretaries from the relevant ministries.

A short summary of the action plan is available at the website of the Universal Design Plan, English translation (in pdf), www.universell-utforming.miljo.no. This site provides updated information about this plan and other relevant policy documents