Co-creating digital solutions for persons with disabilities - Policies and strategies for tomorrow's digital challenges

Co-creating digital solutions for persons with disabilities
Policies and strategies for tomorrow´s digital challenges

Stronger focus on accessibility and user-friendliness is needed for developing better digital solutions for welfare services for persons with disabilities.

This side event focuses on strategies for co-creation on developing digital solutions for persons with disabilities. The Nordic countries aim to find solutions for full and effective participation in society for persons with disabilities, and use the advantages of the digital development.

Persons with disabilities should have access, on an equal basis with others, to information and communications
technologies and systems. Accessibility is a prerequisite for equality and the ability to act independently in society,
in particular for persons with disabilities. Lack of accessibility can place people in vulnerable and
marginalized positions.

By embracing innovation, universal design and user involvement, we can create public welfare services that
are more accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all citizens. At this side event, the Nordic countries share insight on strategic planning when developing the accessible digital world and on how they see the future.

SPEAKERS
• Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and the Labour Market, Iceland
• Gry Haugsbakken, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Equality, Norway
• Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir, Political Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Iceland
• Thor Thorarinsson, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, Iceland
• Thordur Reynisson, Senior Adviser, Nordic Innovation 
• Jon Thorstein Sigurðsson, Chief of office for protection of rights for disabled people, Iceland
• Maria Montefusco (moderator), Swedish Agency for Participation, Sweden

Nordic Cooperation on Disability: The governments of the Nordic countries and organisations representing
persons with disabilities cooperate on disability and inclusion issues within the Nordic Council of Ministers. Modern welfare policy, UNCRPD and the 2030 Agenda are important corner stones.