Danish disability research across half a century

Abstract

Social research on disability exhibits a degree of interdisciplinarity. While neither large nor clearly defined, this area of research has political relevance since it is often brought into play when drawing up or evaluating government policy to improve the situation for disabled people. The present article outlines Danish disability research with the emphasis on social research in the last 10 years. It points to forces and framework conditions that have influenced the development of the field of research. It also presents central topics of research as well as some of its findings. It concludes with a discussion of future conditions for disability research in Denmark.

Keywords:

• disability
• research
• social
• Denmark

Notes

1. http://www.psy.ku.dk/Forskning/Fokusomraader/handicappsykologisk_forskning/,

2. http://rucforsk.ruc.dk/site/da/persons/pernille-steen-lenzner(247319c5-b6bb-4ded-8fe9-b7fef3e2ce19).html

3. AKF has recently merged with two other institutions, DSI and KREVI. The new institute is called KORA, Danish Institute for Local and Regional Government Research.

4. National Board of Health and Welfare, Rehabilitation & Care.

5. Report on disability pension etc.

6. The Social Reform Commission's second report.

7. The following description is based in part on a presentation by professor emerita Birgit Kirkebæk at an internal seminar at the Danish NNDR association on 30 November 2009.

8. Nordic Council.

9. The Equal Opportunities Centre for Disabled Persons.

10. Equal Opportunities Centre for Disabled Persons.

11. Ministry of Welfare.

12. Equal Opportunities Centre for Disabled Persons.

13. Ministry of Welfare.

14. The reader is referred to these articles for further explanation and discussion of the main tendencies.

15. Ministry of Social Welfare.