Our Normal - designing inclusion together

🎄  A Holiday Gift for Inclusion! This International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), we reflect on the alarming findings of the latest report from SCB (Statistics Sweden), which highlights the persistent gap in well-being and participation between children with and without disabilities (see link to report in comments, in Swedish). A clear sign that change is urgently needed! However, with the public sector, private companies, civil society, and academia unite to create lasting impact - we also know that real change is possible! This holiday season, you can support inclusion through your company’s holiday gift. By contributing, your company supports Our Normal's work to: 🔸 Highlight and address the needs of families with children with disabilities in early innovation and design processes. 🔸 Provide direct support to families via our digital platform for networking, events, and resources. 🔸 Spread awareness and educate actors on the value of inclusive and universal design. How to contribute: Donate prefered amount via - Bankgiro: 253-9146 (SEB) - Swish: 123 212 16 71 - Invoice: Contact us at info@ournormal.org with the subject line "Holiday Gift." Every company that donates will receive communication materials to share in social media or newsletters. Let’s make inclusion your company's most meaningful gift this season 💜 #Inclusion #UniversalDesign #DisabilityDay #HolidayGiving

We are really proud and excited to be part of this important initiative, teaming up with so many amazing partners who bring great expertise across different fields, all united by a common vision of working towards true inclusiveness! 💜 💪 🦾

Imagine a city where everyone, regardless of age or ability, can navigate with ease. That’s the future we are building together within The European Citiverses Uniting for Inclusiveness Project, and this week marked an exciting step forward as we officially kicked off the 30-month long journey!   We are thrilled to see so many engaged participants from across Europe, ready to collaborate and innovate for a more inclusive future. For two days, we were diving into inspiring discussions on how we can transform Gothenburg's Local Digital Twin with an AI driven platform into an accessible space for everyone.   We will explore how this groundbreaking project will lower thresholds, using universal design, and drive sustainable urban development across Europe. Let’s work together to make cities smarter and truly welcoming for all!   #EuropeanCitiversesUnitingForInclusiveness #DigitalInclusiveness #SmartCities #Accessibility #UrbanDevelopment #Collaboration #Citiverses #DigitalTwins #InclusiveCities #FutureCityLife   Thank you for a fantastic start and commitment from all Beneficiaries and Associated Partners: Göteborg & Co, Göteborgs Stad, Stadsbyggnadsförvaltningen, Göteborgs Stad, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, GATE Institute, Iceberg Plus, Future Memories, Our Normal - designing inclusion together, The Point Labs, University of Twente, Younite, Virtuell Design AB, Kungsbacka kommun, School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Yrgo, Västra Götalandsregionen, Digital Twin Cities Centre Chalmers University of Technology, Xperience Next, Visual Arena Co-funded by the European Union.

Recently EU Council approved the final version of the text of the Directive on the European Disability Card and European Parking Card, which has the ambition to enhance freedom of movement and access to services for people with disabilities across Europe. . The card, expected to be fully implemented in 2028, will provide mutual recognition of disability status, include transport services, and support participation in EU Mobility Programs. . While we still have some thoughts and questions about the title of the card, the way it's going to work (what actual rights will it include?) and how the target group of the card will be defined (e.g. will it also include children and youth) we also see possibilities where a card like this can make it easier to demand equal rights and open up for new areas of improvement and constructive initiatives, for example in areas of both national as well as international travelling and tourism. . Have you heard about this card before? What are your thoughts regarding the card? #DisabilityRights #Inclusion #EuropeanDisabilityCard #EU https://lnkd.in/dnBHWstE

Thank you, Caroline Casey, for this very insightful article. It truly resonates with how we encourage companies and organizations to begin or take further steps in addressing universal design and disability inclusion. It highlights the importance of not overthinking but taking action—right now—and stresses the value of involving people with lived experience in the process. Every step, no matter how small, contributes to meaningful change. As Caroline Casey puts it, “The best advice for businesses starting on this journey is simple: just start – get on with it.” #disabilityinclusion #DEI #universaldesign #inclusivedesign

The other week, Jenny Lindström Beijar from Our Normal had the opportunity to - in collaboration with the brilliant inclusive UX researcher and designer Marco Guadarrama - lead IKEA ' s very engaged ED&I (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) community through a workshop on #inclusivedesign in Älmhult. . With just a few months left until the new #AccessibilityAct comes into effect in June 2025, and with the increasing focus on social sustainability in the upcoming #CSRD, more organizations are adopting a structured and proactive approach to inclusion—now also with an increased focus on diversity in abilities. . But regulations are by no means the only driver behind working with inclusive design. Designing for the broad diversity of people clearly has positive effects on customer reach, as well as boosting innovation and increasing employee engagement—something we had the privilege to experience firsthand during the workshop with this amazing team. . A big thank you to the IKEA ED&I team for the opportunity to collaborate—looking forward to following the impact of your important work! . #universaldesign #inclusivedesign #DEI

The right to run a bike on more than two wheels! "It’s 2024, and we’ve seen incredible developments in various types of vehicles: mopeds, cars, electric scooters – and different types of bikes too. But making three-wheeled bikes more affordable, making adapted bikes available for easy rental in city parks, providing space for larger setups in bike garages, and increasing opportunities for biking by having regions prescribe adapted vehicles as aids – in these areas, not much has changed. ... If we want cities free of emissions, and if we are serious about the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 2030 Agenda’s commitments to equal play and leisure, access to transportation and mobility, equal opportunities, and active participation – then as a society, shouldn’t we be able to challenge this narrow biking-norm?" I wrote this article (also published in Swedish by Heja Olika) to address the issue of #mobilityequality. Today, as part of European Mobility Week, I will begin discussions with politicians in the municipality of Varberg on this topic. Are other municipalities ready to follow? Please share the article with your local politicians. Link to the Swedish article in the comments. - together with Our Normal - designing inclusion together #universaldesign #inclusion #DEI #socialsustainability #ESG

Check out the program for The Conference, where Jenny Lindström Beijar from Our Normal will share the stage with the great UX-researcher Marco Guadarrama (IKEA) to discuss our collaboration on #universaldesign and #inclusivedesign in home environments, and what this means from a children's and family perspective. Together they will share insights and key learnings from the collaborative research project, "Living with Adults," (conducted also together with the great consumer researcher and strategist Anne Flemmert Jensen, Ph.D. ). Check out the full conference program here: https://lnkd.in/eFWztD_K

We have observed a growing interest in DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) in general, and in inclusive and universal design in particular, from the professional consultancy services and the regulatory compliance sector. 🙌 As these sectors are often at the forefront of major trends and business influences, we see this as a hopeful shift towards a future where accessibility and inclusive design become the norm rather than the exception. 💪 For example, we have recently held talks and presentations for the consultancy firm Valcon and the law firm MAQS Advokatbyrå on the topic of inclusion. ✨ Is your company interested in leading the way in #DEI? Do you want your employees to learn more about #universaldesign? Don't hesitate to get in touch! #inclusion #inclusivedesign #CSRD #designforall #a11y

🌟 Embracing Universal Design 🌟 Universal design goes beyond physical spaces; it's a commitment to inclusivity across all facets of our society, including the workplace. By implementing practices that accommodate individuals with disabilities, we not only break down barriers but also unlock incredible potential for innovation and growth. Has your company started working with universal design? Get in touch with us if you are curious to hear more! At Our Normal, we're dedicated to embracing universal design principles to create such environments. Join us in creating a workplace where everyone can shine! ✨ #OurNormal #UniversalDesign #Inclusion #WorkplaceInnovation #DiversityandInclusion