Approved project in Norway: crisis information for everyone

With funding from the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir), we will help Norwegian local authorities to present information on crisis and preparedness that works for everyone.

The project is based on a simple but crucial question: Can all residents access the local authorities’ crisis information when it is really needed? For many people with disabilities, the answer is not obvious. A lack of accessibility can have serious consequences when quick and clear information is needed to protect lives, health and safety.

This year is the Year of Total Defence in Norway, with a national focus on society’s collective ability to withstand crises. In this light, the issue of crisis information for everyone is more relevant than ever. There is a need not just for accessible and understandable information, but for content and instructions that are genuinely relevant to all groups in society.

During the project, we will examine the issue from two perspectives: we will map how Norwegian local authorities work with accessible crisis communication and gather experiences from people with disabilities. This is to gain a clear picture of the barriers that exist, what is missing and what solutions are needed. We focus particularly on the information that municipalities post on their websites regarding both crisis and preparedness.

An important part of the work is to identify good examples. By highlighting municipalities that are already working successfully with accessible crisis information, the project aims to show concrete ways forward and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge across the public sector and beyond.

Concrete results that everyone can benefit from

We will compile the results in a report that provides an overview of the current situation and describes the most common challenges. More importantly, the report will contain recommendations on how local authorities can improve their preparatory work and ensure that information reaches all residents, regardless of their functional ability.

In addition to the report, the project will produce practical support in the form of guidelines, checklists and examples of best practice that local authorities can use in their day-to-day work. The aim is to make it easier to translate knowledge into concrete actions.

The project will also disseminate the results through webinars, presentations and dialogue meetings with local authorities, government agencies, emergency response organisations and disability organisations. In this way, the experiences gained from the project can benefit communities far beyond those directly involved in the work.

Through ‘Crisis Information for All’, we aim to contribute to a society where everyone has the same opportunity to access, understand and act on vital information when it really matters. With the funding now secured, work can begin, and we look forward to working with users, local authorities and other stakeholders to bring about tangible improvements that strengthen both accessibility and the community’s preparedness.