On 6, 7, 8 and 9 March 2023, a delegation of EDF international cooperation and humanitarian action team visited the office or our Danish member DPOD (Disabled People’s Organisation of Denmark), an umbrella organisation consisting of 35 members.
The objective of the visit was to learn from each other and exchange ideas on how EDF and DPOD work with international cooperation and humanitarian action. Moreover, this was a very useful occasion to align our work on these issues and identify areas of future collaboration.
DPOD is a champion in building the capacity of DPOs in the global south. They are an active actor of the Danish development cooperation, and they are working to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals in order to leave no one behind.
Our visit to DPOD was inspiring. We learned about the functioning and structure of DPOD, their priorities and strategy for the years to come and the work of their members. We left Denmark with new ideas and renewed energy for our work on international cooperation and humanitarian action. We have also discussed about future collaboration on the response to the escalation of the war in Ukraine and how to engage with the Ukrainian disability movement to support inclusive and accessible reconstruction, together with DPOD and with the involvement of DPOD members.
Visit to the UN city and to the EU representation in Denmark
Our visit to DPOD was an occasion to engage with international and European actors and mainstream disability-inclusion. We met the representatives of the WHO regional office for Europe working on disability, rehabilitation, palliative and long-term unit and explored new opportunity for joint projects, events and advocacy around the implementation of the WHO European Framework for action to achieve the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities 2022–2030.
We finally met the head of the EU representation in Denmark and presented our new toolkit for EU Delegations to engage with DPOs.
The world’s most accessible building
Our visit was framed by the beauty of the DPOD office which is in the world’s most accessible office building. In 2012 DPOD and the majority of its members organisations moved into this impressive building, which is a champion of accessibility, Universal Design and inclusive architecture. The basic idea is that good accessibility is necessary for some and good for everyone. In a broader social perspective, this approach contributes to creating an inclusive labour market, where everyone can join in, and no one is prevented from participating because of physical barriers.
The building hosts 300 employees that are able to move around and work in equal terms, whether they have a disability or not, and regardless of the nature of their disability.
The reception is a fine example of how to solve a physical challenge using Universal Design: the counter is simply designed as an architectural element with two heights, which means that wheelchair users and others can get information in an equal manner.
Another example is the different numbers of toilets distributed around the house, so that everyone can find one that they can use. Pictograms on the doors show how the toilets are equipped and designed.
For more information, please contact: Giulia Traversi, EDF Humanitarian Advocacy Officer (giulia.traversi@edf-feph.org)