In this episode, host Mantej Singh speaks with Jane Bringolf, a long-time advocate, writer, and leader in universal design and inclusive practice, and a Churchill Fellow. They explore why universal design is not just about ramps, access standards, or compliance but about designing places, services, policies, and cultures where people are welcomed, considered, and able to belong without having to ask for special treatment. And why does a ramp not say "you belong"?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Belonging and Inclusion

01:25 The Journey of Universal Design

04:47 Understanding Belonging vs. Fitting In

07:03 The Role of the Center for Universal Design

09:32 Universal Design: More Than Just Accessibility

12:28 The Essence of Belonging in Universal Design

16:21 Shifts in Inclusion and Belonging

20:24 What Leaders Get Wrong About Belonging

21:51 Key Shifts for Leaders Towards Belonging

Jane’s advice for leaders and practitioners for making the #BelongingShift

Shift 1: Move from access and compliance to welcome, dignity, and belonging

Shift 2: Design for everyone, everywhere, every time

Shift 3: Replace separate policies with one universal intersectional approach

Shift 4: Go where people are. Listen and engage in everyday places

Shift 5: Share power with people as contributors, not problems to be fixed

Guest Bio

Jane Bringolf has worked in the ageing and disability sectors for more than 40 years and has a strong interest in universal design and inclusive practice. She was a founding director of Centre for Universal Design Australia which is now managed by the Melbourne Disability Institute. She writes regularly on universal design and inclusive practice and wants to see a world where designers and policy makers automatically consider the diversity of the population and create inclusive built environments, products, policies and digital services. Connect on LinkedIn: Jane Bringolf | LinkedIn

Host Bio

Mantej Singh is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Belonging Co, a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney with a belonging lens.

Belonging Co helps leaders drive participation, trust and engagement. The consultancy delivers strategies, engagement, and programs for organisations and leaders wanting genuine impact across cultural inclusion, community participation and social cohesion.

He founded Belonging Co in 2025 to enhance the capability, confidence, and understanding of leaders and organisations regarding inclusion and community participation. Mantej has over 20 years of experience across community engagement, placemaking, and inclusion, emphasizing that belonging is foundational to thriving communities and effective institutions.

For more information on Belonging Co visit www.belongingco.com.au and www.linkedin.com/in/mantejs

Make the #Belonging Shift

Lets grow the conversation

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