Accessibility is the focus of the Swedish Elevator Association's spring meeting.

On May 14, the Swedish Elevator Association's spring conference and annual meeting for 2025 was arranged. The theme for the day was accessibility. and we also had the opportunity to update our knowledge in the important field of standardization.

First up for the day was Karolina Celinska, DHR, who told us how we can all become ambassadors and knowledge carriers for the accessibility issue.

– In order for me to participate on equal terms in society, accessibility starts right outside my door. I have specific needs and I can't do much about them, but if society is adapted based on those who are farthest from the norm, then we can include everyone else as well, said Karolina Celinska.

It's important to do it right from the start and Karolina encourages more people to invite users to test ideas and products:

– Retrofits are always more expensive and what we build now should last a long time. By understanding my and my friends' perspectives and laying a good foundation together with a good maintenance plan, you will go a long way, Karolina continued.

When asked what she has the most problems with in terms of accessibility in society, Karolina answers:

– Elevators are often too small and too slow. I spend an enormous amount of time on logistics and like things to go quickly. Then there are what are called ”easily remedied obstacles” which involve correcting things like level differences or signage and which make a big difference to accessibility.

For easily remedied obstacles have The National Board of Housing, Building and Planning has produced a guide e and DHR have have developed an app where it is easy to report obstacles that are discovered.

The three points she wants to convey to participants about accessibility are:

Design universally
Dare to question existing norms in the industry
Ask users!

The importance of standardization

Standardization is an important issue for the members of the Swedish Elevator Association and, in addition to the Elevator and Escalator Committee, SIS/TK 211, there is a lot happening in the accessibility issue right now. Per-Olof Svensson, project manager for SIS/TK 211 Elevators and escalators, and Alexandra Antoni, project manager for SIS/TK 536 Coordination group for accessibility, presented under the headings Standards – how, what and why! respective New Accessibility Directive and associated harmonized standards.

The work to increase accessibility and usability in standardization and in standards is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was ratified by the EU and Sweden in 2007. The new accessibility directive, which is managed by the Accessibility Coordination Group, SIS TK/536, follows up on the work to implement the UN Convention and will be applied in all EU member states from 28 June 2025.

The day was rounded off with the formal annual meeting of the Swedish Elevator Association and a meeting within the important Technology and Safety Committee where experiences about incidents and accidents are shared to ensure that lessons learned are spread within the industry.

The Elevator Association Availability