LAUNCH "Achieving Participation through Universal Design"

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design in conjunction with the Council of Europe launched the Council of Europe publication "Achieving Participation through Universal Design" on the 1st October 2009. The Launch was Chaired by John Bowman, and included a panel discussion on the benefits and challenges of implementing Universal Design in a range of projects and situations at both organisational and government levels.

Date: 9:30pm - 1:30pm. Thursday, 1st October, 2009.
Location: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Main Conference Room, Custom House, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1.

Universal Design is a strategy for making environments, products,
Information and Communication Technology and services accessible and usable by everyone regardless of age, size, ability of disability.
This book outlines the European position on Universal Design, makes
recommendations to government on its implementation and provides examples of good examples from around Europe.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this publication please goto Achieving Participation through Universal Design

Presentations

Agenda:

Chairperson: John Bowman

09:15 -10:00am Welcome and opening
Minister John Gormley T.D. Minister for the Environment, Heritage and LocalGovernment (TBC)

TBC, Chairperson, National Disability Authority

Angela Garabagiu, Council of Europe

10:00 - 10:45am "Achieving full participation through Universal Design"Mr Jean-Marie Vanhove, Flemish Agency for Disabled People, former Chair of the Committee of Experts on Universal Design

10:45- 11.00am Coffee break

International Perspectives and Good Examples

11.00am - 1:00pm Norway: Olav Rand Bringa, Consultant, The Ministry of Children and Equality, Norway Germany:

Dr. Christian Bühler, Professor for Rehabilitation Technology at the Faculty for Rehabilitation Science of the TU Dortmund University.
Ireland:

Fionnuala Rogerson, Architect and director of the International Union of Architects (UIA) Work Programme on "Architecture for All"

Ger Craddock, Chief Officer, Centre for Excellence in Universal Design,NDA.

Panel discussants bios:

Olav Rand Bringa

Olav Rand Bringa is a consultant in The Ministry of Children and Equality and has been involved in developing and conducting Norwegian action plans for accessibility and universal design. He has a Master of Science degree from The Norwegian University of Technology in Trondheim. Bringa has published a number of books and articles, mainly on the subjects of accessibility and universal design and has served as an international consultant in Europe and The Middle East.

Christian Bühler is Professor for Rehabilitation Technology at the Faculty for Rehabilitation Science of the TU Dortmund University and Director of FTB(Research institute on technology and disability of the German rehab center ESV). He holds a degree in electrical engineering from University of Karlsruhe and PHD in engineering from University of Dortmund. His main scientific interest is in the support of older people and people with disabilities by assistive technology, accessibility and universal design.

In this field he is involved in many national and international projects and initiatives. He also acts as a consultant for government, standardisation, and companies on national and international level.

Fionnuala Rogerson

Fionnuala Rogerson is director of the International Union of Architects(UIA) Work Programme on "Architecture for All" for the Western Europeanregion. She is on the Council of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland and is a member of its Accessibility Task Force. In 2003 sherepresented the Architects Council of Europe on the European Commission "Expert Group on Accessibility". She has over 30 years experience in architectural practice working mainly in the areas of public housing, community facilities and urban design. In recent years her practice has extended to include Accessibility Consultancy to public bodies, developers and other architectural practices.

Ger Craddock

Dr. Gerald Craddock is the Director of the Centre for Excellence in
Universal Design (CEUD), a state body setup by the Irish government in 2007. The Centre's role is in developing standards, infusing Universal Design into educational curricula and raising awareness about Universal Design. The Centre's staff expertise is in the areas of Information Technologies, Products/Services and the Built Environment. It is part of the National Disability Authority (NDA), which is the lead state agency on disability in Ireland.

Prior to taking on this role Ger was head of an Assistive Technology
department which was part of a national rehabilitation centre. Dr. Craddock is a visiting lecturer at a number of the universities in Ireland. His primary degree is in Electronic Engineering and his PhD is in Disability Studies.