Workbook final

271 - Universal Design of Information, Oslo and Akershus University

College, Norway

ONTACT

Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA)

Weiqin Chen

Norway

+47 67238671

VERALL GOAL

MISSION

The program integrates a Master´s degree, research group and international summer school dedicated to the Universal

Design (UD) of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The program, which is the only one of its kind in

Europe, aims to meet the growing need for knowledge and expertise in universal design of ICT solutions by training the

next generation of technology professionals and contributing to the creation of universally accessible ICT user

interfaces, infrastructure and services. The program uses the social model of disability to guide research and teaching -

i.e., the program aims to promote barrier free ICT solutions by dismantling barriers in existing ICT solutions to make ICT

usable by as many people as possible in diverse situations, on different devices, and that utilize different operating

systems, software and assistive technologies.

HE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

The program supports efforts to fulfil the obligations of the CRPD by building capacity in both Norway and low-

resourced settings (2/3 of students originate from low-income countries) using an inclusive pedagogical approach to

teaching and research and development that combines international and interdisciplinary expertise. The program

includes educators and practitioners from the UK, US, China, Japan, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Poland and Norway with expertise

in computer science, sociology, political science, law, healthcare, and neuroscience. The program specifically focuses on

UD as a means for achieving inclusion by examining the intersectionality of sex, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status,

age and congenital, acquired and situational disability. The program has implemented research and development

projects in collaboration with public sector organizations such as the Norwegian Broadcasting Company (NRK), the

Norwegian Tax Authority (Skattetaten), the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) and the Agency for

Public Management and E-Government (difi) and private sector organizations such as the Norwegian Computing Center,

a non-profit research foundation and Schlumberger, an oil and gas company. The program has also attempted to

integrate UD processes throughout HiOA through interdepartmental research projects, including work in collaboration

with the department of journalism and the department of social work and social policy.

OUNTRY IN WHICH IT WAS DEVELOPED

Norway