More than 100 students, early startups and members of the Disabled Peoples’ Organizations Denmark participated in the kick-off event for Technology leaving no one behind.
Developing technology that lives up to the principles behind the UN's global goal `Leaving No One Behind`, must contribute to solutions for people in the broad sense. That was the message of DTU Skylab's kick-off event for the next three years of incorporating universal design as a permanent element of DTU's teaching and innovation.
“The whole idea of universal design is that we move away from thinking silo-divided needs. We need to create solutions where the target group includes all people, and not special solutions for children, the elderly, people with physical injuries or disabilities. We need solutions that - just like the typewriter keyboard or eye control - work for all people,” said keynote speaker at the event Kristian Moltke Martiny head of science and co-founder of the company Enactlab.
Inclusion and accessibility
'Technology leaving no one behind' is a partnership between DTU, the Bevica Foundation and Disabled Peoples’ Organizations Denmark. The project will continue for the next three years, with the goal of getting engineering students to work with inclusion and accessibility as a natural part of designing and developing new technical solutions. The project will introduce and integrate 'Technology for all' across engineering and professional training. At DTU Skylab, Technology will for everyone be integrated as an element of counseling, activities and courses that support education and entrepreneurship at DTU.
At the kick-off event, students from 11 groups who worked on universal design during their fall course presented a number of projects with inclusive design, such as a universal grip for various knives and implements that can be individually adapted to the hands of all audiences.
Look at the totality
Marianne Thellersen, Executive Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at DTU sees Technology for everyone as a call for everyone - not least engineers, to become aware of when they are 'biased' and think in narrow target groups, rather than thinking in their totality.
“One of the messages in the UN's global goals is that we need to look at the totality if we are to create something that can change the world. This is why we at DTU are concerned that the development of new technology is inclusive and sustainable. And we look forward to working with it in research, education and in upcoming events,” said Marianne Thellersen.
Sif Holst, Vice-President of Disabled Peoples’ Organizations Denmark agrees that partnerships are essential if we are to achieve the UN's global goals. She encouraged students to develop solutions to general challenges for people.
“We need solutions to general societal challenges such as loneliness. Eight percent of all Danes feel that they are often or very often affected by loneliness. That figure rises to 23 percent and 40 percent, respectively, for people with physical or mental disabilities. It is a challenge for you to find solutions,” said Sif Holst.
In the 'Technology leaving no one behind'-partnership, DTU will develop new methodologies and tools to support inclusive technology development, and the topic will be addressed in a number of annual competitions and events. DTU Skylab strengthens the students 'opportunities for testing, prototype development and user validation in collaboration with relevant partners and ecosystems, such as the Disability Organizations' House.