Disability research in the Nordic context – progress and challenges in investment welfare states 1970–2013

Abstract

Disability research and disability studies in the twenty-first century are almost unrecognisable compared to, for example, work that was completed on disability only 20–30 years ago. Disability research and disability studies may still be constructed as different entities: disability research shading into medical and rehabilitation studies, while disability studies is almost entirely concerned with the social aspects of disability. However, the terrain is now firmly stamped by the imprint of sociology, social policy, psychology, social work and even economics. The rise of US disability studies has ensured that European disability studies and research engage with English, linguistics, philosophy and history. Indeed some might lament that disability studies has lost its character with this influx of inter and counter-disciplinary approaches to disability. I would argue that, on the contrary, disability studies is a more vibrant place to engage with the study of disability, impairment, disabling barriers and enabling systems. Nordic disability studies, although largely beginning after US and UK activities, has arguably reached a position of discursive maturity very quickly, one where impairment is recognized by many and social factors are central to many adopting what has broadly been framed as a relational approach to disability.

Keywords:

• Nordic
• welfare states
• history
• disability research
• disability studies