It doesn't matter whether you use wheels or high heels

ESIRAs Norwegian MAP goup newly had it's kick off in Kongsvinger in Inland Norway. The goal is for the group to develop and test ideas that will make this region in Eastern Norway a more inclusive place for people with disabilities.

A participant emphasizes that it should not matter whether you use wheels or platform shoes. Yes, everyone agrees, and there's already a lot going well in the region. But why are the figures on exclusion still so bleak?

Research shows that the Kongsvinger region has more people outside the workforce and a lower education level than the average in Norway and in the Inland region. More young people than in other regions are without a job or school, and thus experience exclusion. In addition, many people with disabilities find that they are excluded because, for example, parks, buildings, and events lack universal design.

A European Project

The MAP is established as part of the 4-year research project ESIRA, aiming to improve social inclusion of vulnerable groups in rural areas in eight European countries. The project in Norway is run by Eastern Norway Research Institute at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences and Inland County Municipality. Together, they have chosen to focus on the social inclusion of people with disabilities in the Kongsvinger region.

Here, they have recruited 17 people with diverse backgrounds to initiate good measures. The participants come from the voluntary sector, business sector, public sector, and some are experience experts or relatives of individuals with disabilities.

Desire for Universal design and Social Arenas

–Based on the statistics and interviews we have conducted, we recommend focusing on inclusion, universal design, and social arenas, encourages researcher and group coordinator Lisa Wold as the assembly begins its first brainstorming session.

There is no shortage of stories about challenges the group would like to address.

In Norway, wheelchair users must book train tickets 48 hours before the trip. –Yet, they often end up left on the platform because the train's ramp doesn't fit the platform or the lift doesn't work, a group participant explains. Couldn't the project shine a light on this?

One participant suggests: –We are good at considering universal design, but a lot is often forgotten during the construction phase. How about we test and map univwersal design in the region to see if people can get around and in as they should?

There is a heartfelt wish for a youth house for all young adults. –I'm thinking of a low-threshold offer, a place where you can have a coffee, play games, listen to music, be yourself, sighs a group member.

The Connection Between the Virtual and Real World

Even though there are already some activities in the region, it seems particularly difficult to reach out to youth with a visible disability.  –Youth in general don't want to be different and stand out. They would rather have a friend to go along with, a group participant explains.

The group starts discussing how young people often experience more community in the virtual world, where language, skin colour or disability doesn't matter. This sparks the idea of connecting the virtual and real world in a social arena, like establishing e-sports training facilities can contribute to.

The Norwegian MAP will at the next meeting vote on which measure to initiate first. The ambition is to implement five ideas over the next three years, guided by and followed up by the ESIRA team. In addition, the researchers write reports and articles that are part of a larger summary to Brussels. The goal is to contribute to the development of inclusive policies at both the local and European level.