Introduction to universal design and welfare technology

Welfare technology, universal design, health

During the course the students will have acquired basic knowledge of how universal design and welfare technology can influence the development of the health sector, respectively concerning planning, demography and other important factors. The meeting between the perspectives of the users and that of society will be under discussion. Basic knowledge about public innovation will be introduced.

Knowledge: The student will be able to:
-Know how universal design means that the accessibility for disabled persons to a greatest possible degree is resolved through measures integrated in the design of products, architecture, planning and performing service
-Know how universal design is created in interdisciplinary teams and in collaboration between different sectors of society
-Appreciate how different needs may arise in the meeting between a users perspective and a social perspective
-Know why and how welfare technology must be designed based on the users needs and capability
-Know how technology can be applied within the health sector to increase the independence and safety of human beings
-Have a basic knowledge about different areas where technology is made use of by users with various disabilities

Skills: The student will be able to
-Describe the relationship between health and peoples potential for participation in society
-Describe how interdisciplinary teams work with universal design
-Describe how different welfare-technological solutions can contribute to an increased safety and independence for the individual user and their next-of-kin
-Describe the relationship between welfare technology and its benefit to society
-Present the profession orally and in writing and critically evaluate the work of others (work in a knowledge-based way)

General competence: The student will be able to
-Know the national and international laws and regulations concerning universal design that are paramount to how the society develops, in relation to the right of all human beings to participate in society
-Be nationally and internationally updated within the field of welfare technology and its benefit to society
-Be oriented about ethical, moral and cultural aspects within the fields of universal design and welfare technology

The course uses PBL as a pedagogical method, peer evaluations and further skills practice, working in basic units in addition to lectures, seminars, papers, lab exercises and self-study.

Mandatory requirements:
Group work
Approved obligatory attendance during the course. Obligatory attendance is described in detail in the curriculum and in the course schedules.