Increasingly, the global demographic shift and the resulting impact on our quality of life is perceived as a social challenge worldwide. Despite extensive knowledge and research on the topic, there are currently no international standards for universal design, nor does a common, intercultural understanding of future-oriented architecture, interior design, product design and service design yet exist.

Eligibility
- Product Designers: Generationally sound products or product groups
- Graphic Designers: Generationally sound design of websites, print products etc.
- Manufacturers
- Service Providers and Service Designers: Generationally sound concepts and services
- Architects: Generationally sound, sustainable design of residential quarters, houses, industrial buildings, office buildings and public facilities
- Interior Designers: Generationally sound design of public facilities, offices, hotels, shops and industrial buildings

Categories
Residential: Living area, Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom, Garden, Houses / Flats
Phone / Entertainment: Telephones, Mobile telephones, Audio / Video, Computers- Accessories
Leisure / Lifestyle: Fashion / Sports apparel, Outdoors, Fitness, Travel, Accessories
Mobility:  Mobility aids, Public transit, Bicycles, Cars, Motorcycles, Accessories 
Work: Workplace, Work equipment, Commercial vehicles
Public areas: Municipal buildings and parks, Arts & culture, Sports facilities, Hotels, Restaurants, Shops
Communication: Marketing, Advertising, Packaging, Instructions 
Services: Support, Safety / Security, Repairs, Shopping services

Registration
15 December 2008: Registration Deadline
Registration Fee: 600 Euros per entry (add German VAT) 

Registrations are made online at www.ud-germany.de or www.ifdesign.de

Submission Requirements
Please submit your products following receipt of registration confirmation, but by no later than 22 December 2008.
Shipping address: Kühne + Nagel AG & Co. KG universal design award 09 Entry-ID xxx-xxxxx Karlsruher Strasse 4 30880 Laatzen - Germany.

We require functional original products. Large items should be presented as scale models or in the form of large-format, instructive photos consisting of various detail shots. Print entries should be submitted either in the form of originals (drawings, concepts etc.) or as charts. No more than six charts, with a maximum size of A1 each. Please be sure to write the entry ID and the correct order of each chart on the reverse side.

Entries from the field of architecture or interior design should be submitted as cardboard sheets with photos, a floor plan and, if desired, descriptive drawings as well. No more than eight cardboard sheets, maximum A1- sized, may be submitted. Please be sure to write the entry ID and the order of each chart on the reverse side. In addition PC-compatible video recordings geared directly to the entry are allowed.

Please ensure there are no shipping charges payable by the organizers, and that all transport packaging is reusable. The registrant and / or submitter will be required to cover any return shipping charges as well as any applicable customs duties on the import or export side. Design drawings must be presented with text describing the concepts involved.

Awards
Universal Design Award 09 Winners
The “universal design award 09” seal is presented in the form of two certificates each for the manufacturer and the designers involved. As a prizewinner you will also receive advertising materials (logo and stickers), which you can use for added impact in marketing your product. You can use the “universal design award 09” seal in your advertising during the entire period your prizewinning product is on the market.

Universal Design Consumer Favorite 09
The “universal design consumer favorite 09” seal is presented in the form of two certificates each for the manufacturer and the designers involved. As a prizewinner you will also receive advertising materials (logo and stickers), which you can use for added impact in marketing your product. You can use the “universal design consumer favorite 09” seal in your advertising during the entire period your prizewinning product is on the market.

The awards ceremony takes place on 04 March 2009, the second day of CeBIT, at 11:00 within the scope of the “design: driving innovation” special exhibition.

Exhibition
All prizewinning entries will be displayed at the “design: driving innovation” special exhibition during CeBIT 2009. This is where professionals from the various CeBIT sectors across the globe congregate, featuring product tests, presentations and an intensive dialog on the subject of universal design.

Competition Schedule
15 December 2008: Final Registration Deadline:
22 December 2008: Shipping of Competition Entries Deadline
14 January 2009: Expert Adjudication
15 - 16 January 2009: Consumer Adjudication 
30 January 2009: Notification of Adjudication Results