December 2022 - You are accessing an archived version of our website. This website is no longer
maintained or updated. The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform has been migrated here: https://sdgs.un.org/
The principle of universal design as a tool for leaving no one behind
Monday, 13 July 2020
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Virtual (New York time)
Side Event
Organizer: The Swedish Agency for Participation co-sponsored by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
On the occasion of The high-level political forum on sustainable development in 2020
Discussion Forum: Using the principle of universal design as a tool for leaving no one behind
Background and objectives
Mainstreaming disability in the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and its SDGs, by using the principle of universal design, the possibility of products, services and environments becomes more accessible, useful and sustainable for all, which helps people with disabilities in their everyday life. Still, women, girls, migrants and indigenous people with disabilities have a more difficult situation than those without disabilities. Starting from a universal design approach opens up for broader participation even from an intersectional perspective.
The ‘UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development | 2018 - Realizing the SDGs by, for and with persons with disabilities’, was released in December 2018. It is the first report on disability inclusion within the context of the 2030 Agenda. It clearly indicates that persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to full inclusion and participation in the life of their communities. They face disproportionate levels of poverty, lack of access to education, health services, employment, under-representation in decision-making and in political participation.
Universal design is not a design style but an orientation to any design process that starts with a responsibility to take account of the user experience.
This side event will discuss examples and exchange experiences on the importance of universal design within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities as a tool in implementing the 2030 Agenda.
Why is universal design important within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a tool in implementing The 2030 Agenda?
What kind of barriers to full inclusion and participation in the life of people with disabilities does the UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development highlight?
Having the diversity of different people’s need in mind – how do we achieve the best results in the design of products, services, environment and communication?
Examples of successful universal design projects where users and designers collaborate.
Moderator and Opening remarks:
Malin Ekman Aldén, Director General, The Swedish Agency for Participation. Sweden
Speakers:
Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Jutta Treviranus, Director and Founder of the Inclusive Design Research Centre (IDRC) and the Inclusive Design Institute (IDI), Canada
Anders Westgerd, CEO, Universal design in urban planning. “Unique public”, Sweden
Accessibility: The webinar will provide real-time captioning and sign language
