A welfare state in transformation – effects on people with intellectual disability in Sweden

• Ideologically propelled by the Normalization Principle the Swedish policy and service system for people with intellectual disability has since the 1960th undergone drastic changes like deinstitutionalization and decentralisation of services to the local municipalities. This paper aims to analyze experiences of the Swedish welfare system and later year’s changes and reforms in respect to people with intellectual disability. Based on a description of different types of welfare models, Swedish policy and laws and the transformation of the welfare system, an analysis and discussion follow based on current research knowledge about major trends in practice and everyday life for people with intellectual disability. Special focus is on the greater variation in support and services, increasing self-advocacy, the impact of 20 years with a right-based law and on the increasing marketization of disability services in relation to quality of services and outcomes for people with intellectual disability.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Welfare

transformation

intellectual disability

Sweden

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)