In conclusion, the paper suggests that a common knowledge platform can prove productive for interdisciplinary work with UD. Implications for Rehabilitation Universal Design is a strategy to improve equal access for people with disabilities. A concept of the person and of disability is of importance for implementing Universal Design strategies. The interdisciplinary involvement in Universal Design must involve rehabilitation professions to attend to the individual dimension in Universal Design.

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Universal Design (UD) implies to plan and manufacture goods, buildings, outdoor spaces and facilities to be useable by all people to the fullest possible extent. UD has evolved from a focus on disabling barriers in the environments. As a strategy, UD has not yet clarified its relation to disability. The democratic potential for UD lies in recognizing all people as equal; this requires both theoretical and empirical studies. In this article, I focus on theoretical work related to UD, approaching UD as a value-laden concept and argue that there is a need to develop UD with a stronger focus on the dimensions related to the concept of human. A relational model for disability is proposed as a fruitful model for theoretically developing UD on a micro, meso and macro level. This model focuses on the inter-action in situations where disability emerges, and can therefore attend to the complexity inherent in disability and UD.

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Background Physical activity is crucial for public health; worldwide, across all age groups, exercise has been recognised as a factor that leads to improved health. However, many people do not engage in regular physical activity and hence miss the opportunity to achieve these significant physical and mental health benefits. With the benefits of exercise in mind, the aim of the present study is to describe the experiences of older people’s motivation for participating in and adhering to a group-based exercise intervention in a local community setting. Methods A qualitative design was used in which semistructured interviews of three men and four women of an advanced age (81–92) were conducted; the participants described their experiences with their participation in and adherence to a long-term group exercise intervention programme in a community setting. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation and discussed in light of the salutogenetic theory. Results Four main themes emerged from the data collection: (1) Experience of health challenges: A meaningful starting point; (2) Adherence motivated by increased life-manageability; (3) Comprehensibility through skilled instruction and (4) Social and professional support enhancing motivation. The participants; who had experienced negative changes to their health and function, as well as to their life situation, chose to sign up for the exercise groups and continued to participate throughout the entire intervention. Attending group exercise sessions meant positive changes to physical, mental and social functions enhancing the participants’ motivation to sustain their attendance and leading to positive behavioural changes that were important to their everyday lives. Conclusion Essential factors for these participants’ decision to sign up for the exercise groups were the following: having important life areas connected to physical activity in their history and having belief in exercise as an effective way to restore function and coping; as well as having current experience of health challenges. Adherence to the group exercise was associated with better coping and the ability to fulfil roles and keep up with important life areas. Support from family, friends and professionals also contributed, both to the process of signing up, and adhering to this long-term intervention. The professionals’ skills and the way the instructor tailored group instruction were emphasized as very important to the participants’ adherence. Understanding of motivational factors for participation in and adherence to, exercise programmes is of great importance to older people, health professionals and society.