The Design for All approach
The ‘Design for All’ (DfA) approach means design for human diversity, inclusion and equality. Its aim is to enable maximum use of products, goods and services.
The European context and Mandate M/473
The Mandate M/473 “Standardization mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI to Include Design for All in relevant standardization initiatives” was formally issued from European Commission in September 2010 and accepted by CEN and CENELEC in March 2011. With the European Commission (EC) standardization request M/473, CEN endeavors to include accessibility following a ‘Design for All’ approach in relevant standardization activities for products and services. The Mandate seeks to achieve long-standing policy objectives surrounding inclusion and equality.
The work and activities performed under the execution of M/473 started December 2013 and the deliverables were completed March 2019.
The work was financed by an EC/EFTA Grant Agreement, which is also providing funding for a Task Group Coordinator and a pool of experts representing national and/or European organization of persons with disabilities and older people.
In the context of this mandate, ‘accessibility’ is referred to as “the extent to which products, systems, services, environments or facilities can be used by people from a population with the widest range of characteristics and capabilities to achieve a specified goal in a specified context of use”. People with disabilities and ageing population, among others, benefit directly from a product, good or service when it is easy to access, understand and use.
Key outcome
Deliverable D1.1
- Part 1: The “CEN-CENELEC Protocol on accessibility following a Design for All approach in standardization”. This outlines the procedure (protocol) to help the technical bodies to decide whether accessibility following a Design for All should be addressed when developing or revising a standardization deliverable.
- Part 2: Recommendations on the effective implementation of the CEN-CENELEC Protocol on accessibility following a Design for All approach in standardization”
Download the manual and the Protocol forms
Deliverable D1.2
- Identification of prioritized standardization areas which are the most urgent for people with disabilities and older persons:
- Instructions for use and labelling;
- Packaging;
- Electrical and electronical equipment/household appliances;
- Self-service machines;
- On-line services;
- Communication, information and signaling.
Deliverable D2.1 Work plan
Deliverable D3.1 Monitoring Standardization Processes
Deliverable 4.1
- EN 17161 Design for All- Accessibility following a Design for All approach in products, goods and services- Extending the range of users.
Download the full report M/473 D2.1 Workplan
Download the manual and the Protocol forms
CEN/BT/WG 213 Strategic Advisory Group on Accessibility (SAGA), responsible for the overall execution of M/473, is also working on an overall strategy on how to address the concept of ‘Accessibility’ broadly in the European Standardization system. For further information, see the Sector Forum section.
Do you need help or want to know more?
Marit Kveine Nygren, PhD –SAGA BT/WG 213 Secretary
Claire Dalier – CCMC Project Manager