Universelt design

Temapakke om universelt design.

Theme Package

Universal Design - what you need to know

The further you explore this page, the more you will learn

We have gathered a selection of materials, experts and case studies on universal design for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the concept and how to apply it in practice. We have brought together the very best of what we know for you, whether you are entirely new to the field or already well acquainted with it.

Choose your starting point

A basic introduction

A more nuanced understanding

Advanced Perspectives and Applications

A basic introduction

In the video, Camilla Ryhl, research director at the Bevica Foundation, gives a short and precise introduction to universal design.

Drawing on both research and practice, she explains what universal design is, why the concept is relevant today, and how it can be used as a fundamental approach to create solutions that can work for as many people as possible from the start.
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Knowledge Article

Make the World More Diverse through Universal Design: Four Steps to Get Started

By embracing universal design, we can shape our environments so that more people have the opportunity to participate and contribute. You can be part of this too. Here, Camilla Ryhl, Director of Research at the Bevica Foundation, presents four practical first steps.

Read the article here

Article

Universal Design

Universal design is a relatively new concept in Denmark. It concerns the creation of environments, products and services that can be used by everyone, regardless of ability or specific needs.

It is grounded in principles of accessibility, inclusion and flexibility, ensuring that design benefits as many people as possible without the need for subsequent adaptations.

Perspective

The article explores how a lack of accessibility in public spaces excludes people with disabilities from society, and why universal design is a necessary solution to ensure equal access for all.
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The article is based on an interview with Camilla Ryhl, Director of Research at the Bevica Foundation.

Definition of the Convention on Disability

The Convention on Disability commits countries to ensuring that people with disabilities have the same human rights and freedoms as everyone else, and that they are seen as active and equal participants in society rather than recipients of charity or treatment.
It stresses that society's barriers -- not the disability of individuals -- often create disabilities, and so laws, policies, and practices need to be changed to promote inclusion and equal access. The Convention's article on definitions mentions universal design as a strategy that means designing products, environments, programs and services so that they can be used by all without the need for separate adaptations, while not excluding aids when they are needed.

From principles to practice

In the following we present key concepts, principles and methods. You will gain insight into how universal design can act as a strategic approach, an analytical tool and a framework for collaboration across disciplines.

There are no ready-made answers, but we want to strengthen your ability to ask the right questions and see new avenues of action in your own work through universal design.

Universal design, and... Visiting Professor at the Royal Danish Academy, Jos Boys explores the concept of Universal Design.

Listen to the podcast here

Tools

Conversation Cards

In collaboration with DTU and the Association Folkemødet, the Bevica Foundation has developed universal design conversation cards that help stakeholders within the events and cultural sectors identify their blind spots and thereby make their events more inclusive.

Currently only available in danish.

Get them here

Articles

Science.dk

At Vidence.dk, the Bevica Foundation has published several articles that put universal design in a research-based perspective. The articles convey new knowledge, concrete examples and current discussions on how universal design can contribute to creating solutions that work for more people in practice.

Find the articles at .dk

The Scholarship Programme

Interdisciplinarity

Participants in the Bevica Foundation Scholarship Programme gave short presentations during the award ceremony, where they presented their research ideas and key issues. The presentations provide an insight into how researchers across disciplines want to work with universal design as a common approach. You can view the presentations on the profiles of each participant and get an insight into the thinking behind their projects.

See all profiles here

CRPD

Obligation

Bevica Foundation Takes Denmark's obligations under the UN Convention on Disability (CRPD) as a foundation for his work. When Denmark ratified the Convention in 2009, it undertook, among other things, to: promote research and development of universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities; as well as to support inclusion and equal participation in society for people with disabilities. It is precisely this commitment that the Bevica Foundation has strategically integrated into its mission. Bevica strives to strengthen and disseminate knowledge about universal design — a design approach that aims to make products, buildings, services and systems usable as much as possible — as a direct consequence of the Convention's perspective on inclusion and equal opportunities. The foundation seeks to put the values of the Convention into practice by supporting research, education, partnerships and public conversation, so that universal design becomes a fundamental premise in both practice and decision-making processes in Danish society.

Find the articles at .dk

Here, Marcus Aminaka Wilmont, Director of the Fashion, Clothing and Textile Master’s programme at the Royal Danish Academy, offers insight into how universal design can be translated into concrete practice within fashion education. Starting from a critique of standardised sizing and fit, he demonstrates how the design process can be rethought so that bodily diversity, materials and movement become integral to the work from the outset.

Examples from teaching and pilot projects with students illustrate how universal design can function as a practical approach to developing garments that accommodate a wider range of bodies and challenge entrenched assumptions about fit and clothing.

The concept

The 7 principles of universal design

Principle 1: Uso equitabile.
Principle 2: Flexibility in use.
Principle 3: Simple and Intuitive Use.
Principle 4: Perceptible Information.
Principle 5: Tolerance for Error.
Principle 6: Low Physical Effort.
Principle 7: Size and Space for Approach and Use

The 8 goals of universal design

1. Body Fit
2. Comfort
3. Awareness
4th. Comprehension
5. Wellness
6. Sociale integratie
7. Personalizacija
8. Cultural Appropriateness

Immersion and knowledge — research, methods and perspectives

This part is especially aimed at students, researchers and professionals who work analytically or academically with universal design, or who want a solid knowledge base to build on. We place universal design in a larger societal, historical, and scientific context, and open up discussions about ethics, power, normality, and participation in the world we have created. We have gathered the best of what we know so that you can work on universal design on a qualified and enlightened basis.

In the video, Camilla Ryhl, Director of Research at the Bevica Foundation, delivers a comprehensive and coherent presentation on universal design. Drawing on many years of research and practical experience, she unfolds the historical roots of the concept, its core principles and its contemporary relevance.

The presentation offers a deeper understanding of how universal design can function as a fundamental approach to creating inclusive frameworks that support participation, dignity and equal opportunities for people with diverse bodies, senses and ways of functioning.

Book

The Sustainable Architecture of the Future Requires Universal Design

“The book offers knowledge about the history and intention of the concept, about the connection between architectural quality and universal design, and about how the concept can be interpreted and operationalized,” says Camilla Ryhl.

Lecture en ligne

“Universal Design and Human Diversity — a Danish Perspective”

This is the title of research director of the Bevica Foundation Camilla Ryhl's presentation at a webinar organized by VIVE entitled “Universal Design: From vision to practice in everyday life in the Nordic countries”. The webinar focused on the visionary approach to universal design and the translation of the idea and values into practice in everyday life in the Nordic countries. Camilla Ryhl presented the historical background of universal design and shared experiences from Denmark.

Watch the webinar here

Swedish approach

Per-Olof Hedvall

Listen to Per-Olof Hedvall share his perspectives on universal design as a value-driven approach that extends beyond technical standards and centres on participation, flexibility and culture. Drawing on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, he highlights who is included, who is missing, and why.

Watch the video here

In this video from Zero Project Conference 2026, Camilla Ryhl, Research Director of the Bevica Foundation, participates in a session on universal design.The session provides an introduction to key principles and demonstrates through dialogue and examples how universal design can be translated into inclusive solutions across environments, products, services and information.The session is part of #ZeroCon26, organized by Zero Project and held in the United Nations Office in Vienna.

Reference List for Further Reading

Other good sources of knowledge

At the Bevica Foundation, we do not gather all knowledge in one place. Instead, we continuously refer to other relevant knowledge environments, research communities and sources that, in our view, contribute important perspectives, experience and new insights within universal design.

Center for Universal Design Australia - Australien

IDEA - USA

Institute for Human Centered Design - USA

KS (kommunesektorens interesseorganisasjon) - Norge

www.peohedvall.com - Sverige

Rumsans - Danmark