Universal design as a basic premise
Through the three key elements: knowledge, partnerships and the conversation, we are working to ensure that universal design becomes a basic premise in the design of society - by 2050 at the latest.
The Bevica Foundation's strategy stands on the shoulders of Denmark's ratification of the Convention on Disability and the Convention's focus on universal design as a values-based approach to creating a more equal society for all.
Universal design represents a human view that recognizes that to be human is to live with changeable and diverse functional abilities throughout life. That it is a basic condition for all of us. It also means that universal design does not divide us into a them and us. People with or without disabilities. In other words, universal design is a design approach that embraces diversity and creates solutions that best embrace who we are.
Denmark has at the same time joined the UN's 17 World Goals and thus also the cross-cutting principle of Leave No One Behind, which is about leaving no one behind in sustainable development. We believe that universal design here can be a valuable approach to achieving that promise.
Knowledge of universal design is therefore an important driver towards a more sustainable and inclusive society that involves everyone.
The Fund's strategic efforts are focused on two tracks:
- To create attractive UD research and educational environments, so future graduates have the UD and LNOB agenda as a basic premise in their professional understanding and have UD and LNOB as a basic premise in their future work.
- That the LNOB agenda and the understanding of universal design are embedded as fundamental value in decision makers and in society in general and thus be included in the political agenda and translated into concrete partnerships. This work also requires a sustained conversation, which the foundation proactively pursues.
The Foundation's efforts remain concentrated on the development and operation of the Universal Design Hub, which disseminates knowledge about universal design, facilitates an interdisciplinary research network, and operates the Foundation's Bevica Scholarship Programme, designed to promote interest in and knowledge of universal design among educators and students at the country's educational institutions.
In addition, the foundation focuses on translating knowledge about universal design into practice through partnerships and on bringing the conversation about human vision, blind spots and ableism to the public.
The three elements: knowledge, partnerships and the conversation constitute the practical execution of the Fund's strategic two tracks, and in 2024 we have focused on refining and consolidating the work on the three elements through increased cooperation withstrategic partners and new partnerships.
We collect knowledge
Through the Foundation's work in the Universal Design Hub, we contribute knowledge about universal design as a means of achieving Denmark's commitments to the United Nations in the Convention on Disability and the transversal principle of the Leave no one behind world goals.
The Bevica Foundation operates the Universal Design Hub, which is the Foundation's strategic effort to strengthen interdisciplinary knowledge about universal design.
This is done, among other things, through dissemination and sharing through the Foundation's partners and as a contribution to the public conversation and knowledge presentation.
The Hub also facilitates an interdisciplinary research network and runs the foundation's Bevica Scholarship Programme, which aims to promote interest in and knowledge of universal design among educators and students at the country's educational institutions.
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We ask questions and starts conversations
We bring perspectives from the lived life with disabilities and our interdisciplinary knowledge of universal design into play into the public conversation. We like to work creatively to get as many people involved in the conversation as possible.
Building on our knowledge of universal design, we proactively enter the societal debate with the aim of bringing awareness to society's blind spots, human vision and ableism.
We want to invite as many people to participate in the talks as possible, and together with our partners and good cooperation, we are happy to take new paths to create relevant conversations.
Our partners bridge the gap between our knowledge and practice
At the Bevica Foundation, we work in partnerships with key players in architecture, design, education and society. Together we build bridges with the aim of disseminating knowledge about universal design in research and practice.
The Bevica Foundation has always worked in partnerships and this has been a fundamental part of the foundation's DNA since its inception in 1872. The foundation's founder, Reverend Hans Knudsen, was a genuine philanthropist and saw how partnerships and cooperation with authorities and other relevant actors were necessary to carry out his mission.
Partnerships put a face to face and give voice to the people it's all about, and at the same time they help create the bridge between knowledge and practice that is needed when universal design is put into play as a lever to meet Denmark's commitments in the UN Convention on Disability and the universal principle of Leave no one behind.
Meet Our Partnerships
Our partnerships accommodate educational and cultural institutions and bring experiences from life lived with disabilities into play. You can meet them here.
