University buildings suitable for the disabled are an unrealistic prospect, despite new laws regarding universal design.

On January 1st the Anti-Discrimination and Accessibility Act came into force. Now all public and private businesses aimed at the general public must remove physical barriers that could be a hindrance to the disabled. All new buildings must comply with the principle of universal design, and all existing buildings must be improved.

However, the new act will probably not do anything to speed up the renovation of existing buildings at the University of Oslo (UiO). When Universitas discussed this subject with the technical director at UiO, Frode Meinich, a year ago, he estimated that it could take up to forty years before the principle of universal design had been completely carried out at UiO. Today the message is the same.

-It will still take between thirty to forty years to adapt all university buildings to suit the disabled with the current rate of investment, says Meinich. He says that UiO has been following the principle of universal design since 2005, but that upgrading old buildings takes time.

-In order for things to progress more quickly, UiO will need to receive financial support from the ministry. Without that, it is not realistic, Meinich explains.

No more funds

With the new act, there follows no funds for rebuilding and adapting buildings. According to information advisor at the Ministry of Education and Research, Anne Sofie Holter, no funds have been earmarked for this in the 2009 budget.

-The institutions themselves must prioritize universal design in their own budgets, Holter states.

However, Jomar Talsnes Heggdal, deputy leader of the Student Parliament, wishes to put forward a suggested resolution stating that UiO must make comprehensive adjustments directed towards the disabled: Buildings conforming to universal design, information boards with Braille and sharp contrasts for the visually impaired. In addition to this, the regulation demands that it should be possible to record lectures, and that all syllabus material and lectures must be translated into Braille if necessary.

-You can’t keep people away because they’re blind or deaf. This is an issue of remembering that one must make adjustments, states Talsnes Heggdal. He pictures something quite different than Meinich’s prediction that the demands will be fulfilled in thirty to forty years, and thinks that the adjustments should be made during the next rectorate.

-I believe that the absolute cut-off point should be the year 2020. At the same time, I will be surprised if the smaller adjustments, such as those concerning the syllabus, are not solved during a rectorate.

Risk discrimination complaints

Head of section at the Norwegian Association of Disabled (NHF), Janne Skei, thinks that the new act is very significant.

-We started working on this in 1996, and it is extremely important that a law forbidding discrimination against the disabled is now at hand.

NHF is now actively working to map out the current situation at public and private businesses aimed at the general public, and complaints have already been delivered to the representative.

-We are sending in complaints continuously according to our capacity. So far some shops, town halls, and cinemas have received complaints. One of our main focuses for 2009 will be schools, universities and university colleges, so if the standards are not good enough, they will risk discrimination complaints, Skei explains.