The conference sponsors are working closely with Norwegian Design Council and are providing valuable support and important input.

The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion
The Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion seeks to strengthen the rights of consumers, families, children and young people, anti discrimination and full equality between men and women.
www.regjeringen.no/dep/bld

IT Funk
The Research Council of Norway is the Government’s executive and advisory body for strategic research planning and research-related activities. IT Funk is the Council's program for research, development and innovation in information and communication technology for people with a disability. Its goal is accessibility for all – to ICT and to society at large through the use of ICT. It Funk is funded by Ministry of Children, Equality and Social Inclusion and Ministry of Labour and provides financial support to projects based on universal design principles and to projects on assistive technologies. International cooperation and measures to increase awareness and knowledge in the ICT-community of user needs and accessibility challenges are also funded. IT Funk targets businesses and institutions that research, develop, produce and distribute ICT-based products and services of importance for accessibility in society. Without their active involvement from the early stages of development, the vision of a barrier-free society will not materialize.
www.forskningsradet.no
www.itfunk.org

Information program universal design
The Housing Bank (Husbanken) in collaboration with the National Office of BuildingTechnology and Administration (Statens bygningstekniske etat) are working together on an information program on universal design. The implementation will lay a first foundation of general awareness about the concept of universal design in housing, buildings and outdoor areas, and provide offers of continuing education for professionals employed in the construction industry and municipalities. The work is linked to government policy to ensure good living conditions for all and to the national action plan for improved accessibility through universal design. The information program has 3 focus areas: Information, Education and Coordination of state actions regarding universal design in construction sector.
www.be.no/universell
www.husbanken.no