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For most of us, it goes without saying that we can move freely in society. We have access to the school, the bus, the store, and we receive good information about opening hours, stops, product selection and prices. When looking for a job, we are assessed based on our qualifications. We also have the same opportunity as everyone else to participate in public arenas. This is our right as citizens. However, for many people in Norway this is not reality. Many people encounter a society that is not fully suited to their needs.
Society is not designed universally
Almost 30 percent of disabled people who do not work want a job but do not get it. We see that society is not designed universally, many people still experience barriers in society that few of us think about. Such as no telephone loops at information points, universally designed ICT solutions, guide lines that can ensure the safe movement of visually impaired people; or elevators, ramps and doors that move in the right direction. The lack of universal design contributes to the growth of exclusion and differences in our country. Arbeiderpartiet wants to ensure equal rights and equality for all. He believes that we need to put more effort into improving the daily lives of people with disabilities.
Erna Solberg's government has done too little to improve the living conditions of people with disabilities
For Arbeiderpartiet, universal design is simply a good socio-economic investment. Equality, participation and more work for people with disabilities is good for society as a whole. Therefore, all schools in Norway are to be designed by 2030. The ruling parties voted against. Instead, they recently presented a plan for Universal Design Norway, but the plan lacks dates when Universal Design is to be achieved. To achieve this, deadlines are crucial.
The Nordre Ål school in Lillehammer is as universally designed as possible. Torstein Aanekre is the father of an apprentice and, together with his team, Mjøsa Pikes, rents a gymnasium there every week to play basketball in a wheelchair. Torstein says, "I don't think of sitting in a wheelchair as a disability, but a difference in function." Society must think like Torstein much more. We need to make arrangements so that everyone can participate on equal terms, even if we are all functionally different. The time has come for us to break down the social barriers that prevent people from leading a good life.
The Arbeiderpartiet wants a friendlier system for people with disabilities
This is one of the reasons why the Arbeiderpartiet voted this spring to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into Norwegian law. Unfortunately the conservatives, KrF, Venstre and Frp also voted against it. The incorporation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into legislation will be a historic milestone in the struggle for the full participation of people with disabilities in society. It is a pity that the right wing will not take part in such progress.
The government led by the Arbeiderpartiet wants to cooperate with organizations and has worked towards a society accessible to all. We need stronger communities across the country and everyone should have equal opportunities to be part of both small and large communities. After eight years of right-wing rule and tax cuts for the richest, now it's the turn of ordinary people. Erna Solberg's government has done too little to improve the living conditions of disabled people. Reforms and action plans don't help when there are no deadlines or money. We now need a policy of equality and universal design.
Read our next article: Disability Allowance in Norway
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