Legislation

Sweden estimates about 1.5 million people are living with a disability within its borders (Sweden, 2018). In order to preserve the quality of these individuals’ lives, Sweden has developed a disability policy. Personally, I think its absolutely incredible. The country has made it a point to eliminate barriers in order to enable girls, boys, women, and men with disabilities to lead active everyday lives equally as well as those without (Sweden, 2018).

Within Sweden’s disability policy, it tackles several avenues in order to make the community safer, more accessible, and more equal all around. There are several details to this policy. To start, the justice system itself was altered in order to ensure policing authorities analyze situations from a “disability perspective” when necessary (Sweden, 2018). Also, in an effort to address the need for people with disabilities to travel without issue, the Swedish government has begun making adjustments to have public transportation facilities such as bus and tram stops more accessible (Sweden, 2018). Sweden also offers social welfare for all; however, the country has even taken steps to create the “Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS),” which enables people with disabilities to receive free personal assistance dependent upon the severity of their situation (Sweden, 2018). People with disabilities can also apply for grants to allow for modification to their housing, such as hand rails, steps, ramps, automatic doors, etc. These people can also choose to live in a group home facility where 24/7 care is provided, or live independently with an on-call assistant (Sweden, 2018). Those with disabilities who have trouble traveling or using public transportation may apply for a car subsidy from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, as can parents with children who have functional disabilities (which I found interesting, but important) (Sweden, 2018). And, finally, Sweden has a Discrimination Act developed to prevent discrimination of any kind, including that against those with disabilities, as well as helping victims receive financial compensation should they endure it (Sweden, 2018).

Overall, Sweden’s policies for those with disabilities are extensive and cover nearly every potential detail.

UNCRPD

In relation to United Nations’ involvement in disabilities, I was able to find that Sweden has added its signature onto the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This Convention “takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as ‘objects’  of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as ‘subjects’ with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society” (UN, n.d.). Sweden added its signature on March 30, 2007 and it was ratified on December 15, 2008.

UNCRPD

Education

It was rather difficult to find specific statistics regarding disabilities and education in Sweden. What I was able to uncover is that Sweden has special compulsory schools (elementary/middle schools) and upper secondary schools (high schools) for those with learning disabilities. Approximately 22,600 students were in attendance at these special schools in 2008-2009 school year (SCB, 2009). Overall, high school graduation rate is at 77% (SCB, 2009).

Sweden also ensures, with The Education Act, that students with disabilities are entitled to the assistance that they require at school (SCB, 2009). This includes course literature options like audio books, electronic textbooks or braille, special arrangements for examinations, note-taking support, mentor or extra supervision, study skills assistance, sign language interpreters, access to computers on campus with accessible software, and other technology-based support (SCB, 2009).

Regarding university education, I was able to find that Sweden created the Equal Treatment of Students in Universities Act in order to ensure “no student at university or other institution of higher education should be discriminated against or otherwise differently treated on grounds of origins, sex, sexual orientation, or disability” (ILI, 2018). All universities are also required to provide assistance that creates an equal opportunity experience for students with disabilities, such as accessibility and social services (ILI, 2018).

Lund University. Photo: Emil Langvad/TT

Employment

Using data from 2008, the employment rate of people with disabilities in Sweden was 62%, compared to 81% of people without (ANED, 2007). Of the working people with disabilities, 47.6% worked full-time and 52.4% worked part-time (ANED, 2007). I was unable to find a legitimate source to provide differences between men and women with disabilities in regard to employment.

In conclusion, Sweden most definitely has taken, and continues to take, every step necessary to provide an equal environment, in all ways, for those with disabilities.

References

ANED. (2007). Report on the employment of disabled people in European countries. Retrieved from https://www.disability-europe.net/downloads/586-se-aned-2009-employment-report-final

Independent Living Institute (ILI). (2018). Sweden Information for international students. Retrieved from https://www.independentliving.org/studyworkabroad/SE/

SCB. (2009). Education in Sweden. Retrieved from http://www.scb.se/statistik/_publikationer/uf0527_2009a01_br_uf08br0901.pdf

Sweden. (2018). Sweden’s Disability Policy. Retrieved from https://sweden.se/society/swedens-disability-policy/

UN. (n.d.). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html