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Sweden

A. UN Convention status

A1. Ratification or conclusion of the UN Convention

On 30 March 2007 the Swedish Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention was ratified on 15 December 2008. A Proposition from the government (Prop 2008/09:28) was handed to the Parliament on 25 September 2008. The proposal was that the Parliament accepts the Convention and the Optional Protocol. Before that, the issue was dealt with by a Memorandum of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, handed to the government in March 2008. The proposition was remitted by the Parliament to its Standing Committee on Social Affairs (Socialutskottet), which in its Commission Report (betänkande), 2008/09 SoU3, consented to Sweden entering into the Convention. The Commission Report was discussed in the Parliament in full plenary session 12 November 2008 and agreed upon the day after. On 15 December 2008 a Ratification document regarding the Convention and the Optional Protocol was deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations and thirty days later (14 January 2009) the Convention was in full effect in Sweden.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A2. Ratification or accession to the Optional Protocol

The Optional Protocol was signed by Sweden on 30 March 2007 and ratified on 15 December 2008 and processed in Sweden together with the Convention.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A3. Declarations, Reservations and Objections

Sweden has registered objections to reservations to, or interpretations of, the Convention made by El Salvador, Thailand and Malaysia in processing the Convention and the Protocol in the Swedish parliament, there were four reservations to the decision of consent of the Standing Committee. The reservations pertained to discrimination, translation of the Convention into minority languages, the register on Electric Shock Treatment and a right to healthcare for immigrants without required papers.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A4. Comprehensive review

In the Memorandum (Ds 2008:23 FN:s konvention om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning /UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities/) of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs a comprehensive analysis on the Swedish context and legislation in relation to the Convention was carried out (Chapter 4). The conclusion states that much work remains to be done in order for Sweden to meet the undertakings and requirements of the Convention and that the Convention will be an important focus document in subsequent work. However, the assessment was that there are no obstacles to accepting the new Convention and the Optional Protocol. The analysis in the Ministry Memorandum (Ds 2008:23) was referred to and commented in the Government Proposition (Prop 2008/09:28), Chapter 5 and the Commission Report (betänkande), 2008/09 SoU3 pp 8-11. Further initiative is under preparation.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A5. Focal point

The Social Service Division of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is responsible for the co-ordination of disability policy within the Government and is a national focal point for matters related to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A6. Coordination mechanism

A group of civil servants within various ministries and headed by the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, has the task of coordinating the work in the government. The focus of their work is on the national strategy of disability policy. Concerning implementation, there is no agency which has the duty to co-ordinate and monitor the national plan for disability policy. Instead, there are 22 sector authorities that have the responsibility for implementation within their specific areas. The Swedish Agency for Participation has the task of monitoring and analysing developments, and proposing methods, guidelines and guidance.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A7. Independent mechanism

An independent mechanism has not yet been established. The Delegation for Human Rights of Sweden was asked by the government to give a report and to recommend what agency (the Swedish Agency for Disability Policy Coordination, the Ombudsman against Discrimination /Equality Ombudsman/ or another State agency) should be responsible for the promotion, protection and monitoring the implementation of the Convention in Sweden. The report should also include the question about involving civil society in this monitoring process. In April 2009 the report was completed (SOU 2009:36 Främja, skydda, övervaka – FNs konvention om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning /Promote, Protect, Monitor – The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities/) and the Delegation concluded by recommending that the responsibility for promotion, protection and monitoring of the Convention should be given to the Ombudsman against Discrimination. In a later and final Report (SOU 2010:70), the Delegation for Human Rights proposes that a Commission for Human rights should be established as a public agency under the Swedish Parliament.

On October 13, 2016, the government adopted the Government's strategy for national work on human rights (cf. 2016/17: 29). The strategy is based on the goal of the human rights policy adopted by the Riksdag (the Parliament), namely to ensure full respect for Sweden's international human rights commitments. The Government proposes that to ensure full respect for Sweden's international human rights commitments, a coherent structure for the promotion and protection of human rights needs to be established. To strengthen the judicial and institutional protection of human rights, the government also considers that the National Institute for Human Rights, according to the so-called Paris principles, should be established with the Riksdag. As a response, a possible further implementation of the measure will be reached entirely by the Riksdag.

In the spring of 2018, the Government appointed an investigation with the task of developing the forms for an HR institution that fulfils the requirements for independence according to the so-called Paris principles developed in the UN. The investigation resulted in a recent proposal, which states that an institution with the task of promoting and protecting human rights will be established as a new authority under the government.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A8. Official reporting

The first report from Sweden was due in January 2011, deposited at the UN in February 2011 and published in September 2012. The next report is expected in 2019.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

A9. Shadow reporting

A parallel report was prepared by The Swedish Disability Movement in 2011. Other reports were also submitted to the UN Committee from civil society organisations including: Forum Women and Disability, Sweden Disability Federation, Association for Relatives of Psychically Disabled Persons (ILG), The Swedish Federation Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities, and the Disability Council International. Next shadow report is expected in 2019, following the same cycle as the official report.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

B. General legal framework

B1. Anti-discrimination legislation

The Swedish Anti-discrimination Act of 2008:567 (Discrimination Act) has replaced the former Equal Opportunities Act and six other previous anti-discrimination laws. The Office of the Equality Ombudsman is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act. The Discrimination Act concerns discrimination on the grounds of gender, transgender identity or expression (new ground of discrimination introduced in the Act of 2008), ethnic origin, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age (a second new ground of discrimination introduced in the Act of 2008). The Act also includes discrimination related to inadequate accessibility. The measures apply to most areas of society, such as working life, education, goods, services and housing, social services, the social insurance system, health care, national military and civilian service and public appointments. In the 2008 Act, protection against discrimination is introduced into new sectors of society where prohibition on discrimination was not previously legally regulated, such as public employment, national military service and civilian service, all parts of the education system, public meetings and public events. Prohibition against discrimination towards trainees and temporary or permanently hired employees with disabilities has also been introduced.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

B2. Recognition of legal capacity

In the Memorandum (Ds 2008:23 FN:s konvention om rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning /UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities/) of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs) it is stated (page 53) that according to Swedish law people with disabilities obviously have the same legal capacity as others. For persons, who cannot by themselves look after their own interests, administer their properties or take care of themselves, for instance due to illness, psychic disturbance etc. the court can appoint a trustee (Chapter 11 paragraph 4 in Code relating to Parenthood and Guardianship, Föräldrabalken SFS-nr: 1949:381).

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

B3. Accessibility of voting and elections

The Swedish Election Act (Vallagen SFS 2005:837), Chapter 3 paragraph 3, states that the local municipality (kommunen) is responsible for arranging voting premises that in terms of opening hours, accessibility and location give voters opportunities to vote. The Election Act further states that those persons with disabilities who cannot themselves put the ballot in the envelope behind the voting screen may ask for and get help from election officials (röstmottagarna) to the extent needed (Chapter 7, paragraph 3). Moreover, people who due to sickness, disability or age cannot come to the polling station may put the ballot in an envelope in a specific second envelope and then hand it over to the ballot box by an entrusted person (Chapter 7, paragraphs 4-10). If a polling station is not accessible for people with disabilities, election officials may also receive the envelope with the ballot outside the premises if this can be done in a safe way (Chapter 9, paragraph 4). The Swedish Agency for Participation offers a checklist (originally drawn up in the context of arranging conferences) that can be used when evaluating a polling station accessibility.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

B4. Official recognition of sign language

By a 1981 Parliamentary resolution, Swedish Sign Language became the official language for deaf persons and they have the right to practice their language as persons who speak a recognised minority language. In the government's proposal for the 1980/81 budget (Prop 1980/81:100, Appendix 12.C16) the government has made a statement to the effect that people with early onset of deafness have to become bilingual in order to deal with each other and with society. This means that they have to master their visual/manual sign language as well as the language of the surrounding society, the oral Swedish language. The government offered the Parliament an opportunity to comment on this. In the subsequent discussions in the standing Parliamentary Committee on Educational Issues (Utbildningsutskottet), the statement was approved (UbU25 1980/81) and the Parliament approved it in a full plenary meeting in May 1981. The Swedish Language Act (Språklagen SFS 2009:600) states that people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or persons who for other reasons need sign language, shall be given opportunity to learn, develop and use the Swedish sign language (paragraph 14). Moreover, authorities have a responsibility to protect and to promote the Swedish sign language (paragraph 10). This Act gives the Swedish sign language a position comparable to that of minority languages. The Health and Medical Service Act of 1982 states that county councils are obliged to provide those living in the county with interpreting in connection with healthcare (Sec 3b).

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

B5. National disability strategy and action plan

In 2017, a new National Disability Strategy for Sweden was adopted by the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). The National Goal and Focus on Disability Policy is to achieve equality in the living conditions and full participation of people with disabilities in society, with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Committee’s recommendations as a starting point, as well as the UN Agenda 2030. The goal is also to contribute to increased gender equality. In order to achieve the National Goal, the implementation of disability policy must focus on the four main areas:

  • the principle of 'universal design';
  • existing shortcomings in accessibility;
  • individual support and solutions for the individual's independence;
  • preventing and counteracting discrimination.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

C. Accessibility

C1. Transport accessibility

The right of access to public transport for persons with disabilities was established in the Special Transport Act of 1979 and in a subsequent Regulation of 1980 (Special Transport Regulation), which allocates responsibility to The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), The Swedish Maritime Administration (Sjöfartsverket) and The Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) to initiate, plan and monitor accessibility in public transport. The Swedish Transport Administration has a coordinating function in this task. These authorities are also responsible for drawing up regulations on accessibility in cooperation with authorities involved, transport providers, disability organisations etc. Buildings connected with travel are subject to the general building regulations.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

C2. Built environment accessibility

The Planning and Building Act of 2010 establishes general rules for the physical environment. In built-up areas the environment must be adapted to suit persons with limited capacity for movement and orientation. The Planning and Building Act contains an obligation to remove easily moveable obstacles in public places and on public premises thus affording access for persons with limited movement and orientation. The regulatory framework for accessibility in built-up environments applies to both private and public owners of buildings: In Regulation 2011/338 on planning and construction (Plan- och byggförordningen) requirements on constructions, products used in construction, monitoring, control and expertise are defined. Moreover, the Law on public procurement (SFS 2007/1091) states that technical specifications are to take account of accessibility for people with disabilities or have a design for all.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

C3. ICT and Web accessibility

According to the Regulation (SFS 2001:526), concerning obligations of government authorities towards persons with disabilities, information and activities must be accessible to persons with disabilities. There is no such obligation for municipalities. However, neither government nor municipal authorities are obliged to provide an individual with the information in his or her chosen and accessible format, for example Braille or digital information. The Administrative Procedure Act of 1986 Section 8, says that ‘when an authority is dealing with someone who does not have a command of the Swedish language or who has a severe hearing impairment or speech impairment, the authority should use an interpreter when needed'. The Swedish e-delegation has worked out guidance for webpages in terms of accessibility following the international standard WCAG 2.0 level AA.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D. Independent living

D1. Choice of living arrangements

There is no obligation for a disabled person to live in a particular arrangement. Policy aims to encourage and support persons with disabilities to live in the community, with self-determination and dignity, with choices equal to others, and to take their rightful place as children, parents and citizens. In Sweden there are several laws regulating the support that disabled persons can receive from society as different means of assistance for independent living. The Social Service Act of 2001(SoL) is the baseline legislation for social services for all people in society, both with and without disabilities. Assistance under the SoL legislation must provide reasonable living conditions. The local authority conducts an individual review of the applicant’s needs. These might include, for example, help in cleaning and washing, shopping, cooking or other personal care. The need for support or services is covered by the Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments of 1993. This Act provides ten different initiatives: advice and support, a companion service, assistance from a contact person, relief service at home, short-term stays outside home, short-term supervision for school pupils over 12 years of age outside home, foster homes or specially serviced housing for children and young people who need to live outside the parental home, specially serviced housing for adults or other specially adapted housing for adults and also daily activities for people of working age not in gainful employment and who are not receiving training and, finally, cash payments for personal assistance. The latter is possibly the most significant initiative, and is regulated for in separate legislation. The Assistance Benefits Act of 2010 (LASS), which has recently been incorporated in the Code of Social Insurance (Socialförsäkringsbalken SFS 2010:111, Chapter 51), regulates the possibility for persons with extensive assistive needs to employ personal assistants. Any person who needs more than 20 hours of assistance per week for their basic needs is entitled to Assistance Allowance under this Act. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency administers Assistance Allowance of this kind. The local municipality has responsibility for and administers personal assistance under 20 hours. The municipality has an obligation to provide financial support for reasonable costs for personal assistance for the portion not covered by the assistance allowance under the Code of Social Insurance. The individual can apply for personal assistance to the municipality or to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The municipality must notify the Social Insurance Agency if a person needs more than 20 hours of assistance per week for their basic needs.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D2. De-institutionalisation

De-institutionalization of people with intellectual disabilities began in the 1970s. Many moved from larger institutions to living in their own apartment in a group living scheme with support from professionals (gruppboende) and arranged activities. De-institutionalisation of psychiatric care during the 1990s placed an increased responsibility on local municipalities (kommuner) in caring for people with psychiatric disorders. When the 1995 psychiatric reform was evaluated in 1999, many positive effects were described but also serious shortcomings, for instance in influence and participation in planning various measures on part of people in the target group, lack of support and recognition of work carried out by relatives to persons in the target group and lack of support to children of persons in the target group and shortcomings in the expected support to persons in the target group via the Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments, the so called LSS (SFS 1993:387). The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has recently presented a model for national monitoring and evaluating psychiatric care.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D3. Quality of social services

Decisions regarding social services can be appealed to the administrative court. Local municipalities (kommuner) are responsible for giving care of good quality to people with disabilities. Some local and regional municipalities, for instance the Skåne Region, have developed criteria for good quality and have carried out evaluations based on this. Various questionnaires have to be answered by users and/or professionals about the quality of care, and are also used to elicit views in municipalities. Local municipalities are obligated to report to the National Board of Health and Welfare if a social service measure that has been decided on concerning a citizen is not implemented within three months. Citizens can also themselves report mistakes and shortcomings encountered within the health care system. In June 2013, the Health and Social Care Inspectorate was created as a new government agency to take over the supervisory activities of the National Board of Health and Welfare.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D4. Provision of assistive devices at home

Assistive devices are largely provided by the county councils and municipalities in accordance with the Health and Medical Services Act of 1982 (HSL). Under this Act, disabled persons usually obtain their assistive devices via healthcare and medical treatment or as assistive devices at work. The assistive devices needed are prescribed by a healthcare professional, typically an occupational therapist or a physician. Responsibility under HSL includes assistive devices for daily living, for care and treatment, and also personal assistive devices for school and education. Work assistive devices for people with a reduced working capacity are the responsibility of social insurance offices and employment agencies. At present, there is no right to claim any specific assistive aid or substantial influence over assistive aids, as is the case with personal assistance. In some parts of the country trials have been initiated to allow for a greater influence over the assistive aids by the user. The idea could be a similar solution with cash payments both for technical and human personal assistance. According to the Law on Grants for Housing Adaptation of 1992, municipalities approve grants for reasonable expenditure for the adaptation of housing accommodation to permit people with functional impairments to continue to live in their own homes. Housing adaptation is a common intervention to remove environmental barriers and to enhance daily activities of people with disabilities in Sweden.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D5. Availability of personal assistance schemes

The Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments of 1993 states that a person can obtain Assistance Allowance if he/she has substantial and lasting impairments and needs personal assistance to cope with their daily life. To obtain the allowance from the The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) a person must need assistance with his/her basic needs such as washing, dressing, eating, communicating and moving about for more than 20 hours a week. Basic needs comprising less than 20 hours assistance are provided for by the local municipality. A person must also belong to one of the following three groups: persons with a cognitive impairments, autism or related disability; persons with a considerable and lasting impaired intelligence after brain damage in adult years caused by violence from an external source or physical illness; and persons with other lasting physical or intellectual disabilities, which are evidently not caused by normal ageing. If a person requires assistance with basic needs for an average of more than 20 hours a week, he/she may also be eligible for personal assistance for help with other activities in daily life, for example, cooking, shopping, taking part in leisure activities or working, parenting etc. There is no lower age limit for obtaining Assistance Allowance and it is possible to continue receiving it after the age of 65 provided that it has been granted before that age. A person cannot obtain Assistance Allowance if he/she lives in group housing or is cared for in an institution. If there are special reasons, a person can, however, receive Assistance Allowance when he/she is cared for at a hospital for a shorter period. The amount of hours per week a person is granted is decided by an administrator at the Swedish Social Insurance Agency together with the user who estimates his/her assistive needs. Different certificates from medical or social professionals also provide a background to the decision. The government sets a standard amount for Assistance Allowance every year. A person may apply for a higher amount if he/she has special reasons; for example, if the user needs a specially trained assistant who requires a higher payment than the standard amount. The concept of personal assistance means personally designed assistance provided in different situations by a limited number of people, which aims to provide the individual with a greater opportunity to live an independent life. Users have control over how services are organised and may custom-design their services according to their individual needs; they may decide who is employed as a personal assistant and when and how aid should be given. A person can therefore employ one or more assistants, from an association or a co-operative with other disabled persons who employ several assistants, use a private company or the municipal assistant organisation. There is nothing to prevent a user from employing an additional assistant at the same time as he/she receives assistance through the municipality or another organisation; it is the number of hours per week that sets the limit. A person can also obtain Assistance Allowance if he/she decides to use a member of his/her own household as an assistant. The member of the household is then employed by the municipality or another assistance provider.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D6. Income maintenance

A person is entitled to sickness benefits (for people aged 30-64) or activity support (for people aged 19-29) when they have at least 1/4 reduction in working capacity. This measure has replaced the early retirement pension. Entitlement to sickness benefits is provided when the person has a permanent reduction in work capacity and additional rehabilitation measures are not expected to lead to regained work capacity. The compensation from sickness benefit is based on previous earnings: 1) those with previous earnings, receive up to 64.7% of the average income in recent years, with a limit of SEK 18,399 per month before tax (in 2018); and 2) those with no or low previous earnings receive a guaranteed compensation of at least SEK 9,593 per month before tax. Entitlement to activity support requires a reduction in work capacity, which is expected to persist for at least one year. A student who, because of disability, has not yet completed his schooling at the primary and secondary levels, is entitled to activity support only when he or she completes schooling. During the period with activity support those who are expected to have capacity should participate in activities which are likely to enhance work capacity. Special allowances can be paid for the costs arising from these activities. The compensation from the activity support is based on previous earnings. Those with previous earnings receive 64.7% of the average income in recent years, up to SEK 18,399 before taxes per month. Those who have no or low previous earnings receive guaranteed compensation. The level of the compensation is then based on age, from 8,455 SEK before tax per month for persons of 19 years old, and to SEK 9,403 before tax per month for those who are 29 years old.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D7. Additional costs

People with impairment and disability can apply for a tax-free benefit to cover specific additional costs of living with impairment and disability (handikappersättning) according to chapter 50 in the Code of Social Insurance. Onset of impairment/disability has to have occurred before 65 years of age (the standard retirement age) but the benefit can then be kept after the age of 65. If the pension does not cover basic needs, the person may apply for support according to chapter 50 in the Code of Social Insurance. The municipality makes the decision about the support, and the amount should guarantee reasonable living conditions. The amount is not fixed but related to the needs of the individual person. Decisions regarding support can be appealed against to the administrative court.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

D8. Retirement income

If the sickness- or activity benefit  does not cover basic needs a person is, according to Ch 4 Sec 3 in the Social Service Act of 2001, entitled to support (försörjningsstöd). The municipality makes the decision about supply of support, and the amount should guarantee reasonable living conditions. The amount is not fixed but related to the needs of the individual person. Decisions regarding support can be appealed against to the administrative court

People with low or no workrelated pension are entitled to a basic old age pension (garantipension) from the age of 65. People with impairment and disability can apply for a tax-free benefit to cover specific additional costs of living with impairment and disability (handikappersättning).  Onset of impairment/disability has to have occurred before 65 years of age (the standard retirement age) but the benefit can then be kept after the age of 65. A person 65 years of age or more is also entitled to a form of economic support for elderly (äldreförsörjningsstöd) if her/his pension does not cover basic needs according to Code of Social Insurance (Socialförsäkringsbalken).

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

E. Education

E1. Special schools

For pupils with deafness or impaired hearing, visual impairment and additional disabilities, deafness or impaired hearing combined with severe learning disabilities, congenital deaf-blindness and severe speech and language disabilities, there are special schools operated by the National Agency for Special Needs Education. The Swedish School Law, Chapter 7 (SFS 2010:800) states that children who ‘cannot attain the knowledge requirements of the nine-year compulsory school’ (grundskolan) are admitted to a compulsory school for the intellectually challenged (grundsärskolan) or a special school (specialskolan) (Paragraphs 5, 6). The decision on whether a child is admitted should be made on basis of an investigation encompassing pedagogical, psychological, medical and social assessments. The child’s custodian is to be involved in this investigation which is carried through by the child`s local municipality (hemkommun) in the case of compulsory schools for the intellectually challenged and the National Agency for Special Needs Education in the case of special schools. Permission from the child`s custodian is normally needed but if there are extraordinary reasons, considering what is best for a child, then he/she could be admitted to a compulsory school for the intellectually challenged without such permission (Paragraph 5). Pupils may attend one of the other forms of schools for a trial period of six months if the schools and the pupil`s custodian agree (Paragraph 8). According to regulations the initiative for assessment for admission can be taken by the custodian as well as by representatives of the local municipality (kommunen). Local municipalities oversee compulsory schools for students with intellectual disabilities. There are also free schools (friskolor) of this type privately controlled. At present, there are five regional and three national special schools in Sweden. The National Agency for Special Needs Education oversees the special schools.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

E2. Mainstream schools

The basic principle guiding all Swedish education is ’a school for all‘; access to an equivalent education for all. The School Law (SFS 2010:800) stipulates that all children and young people must have access to equal quality of education, irrespective of gender, their place of residence and their social and financial situations. Reference is explicitly made (Chapter 1, paragraph 8) to the Discrimination Act (SFS 2008:567) not allowing discrimination on the grounds of (among other things) disability. All pupils who are in need of extra support are entitled to that support and schools have a special responsibility for those pupils having difficulties reaching the goals of education. The School Headmaster is responsible for conducting an investigation to find out whether a pupil needs support, if there are indications to that effect, and if this case requires any specific programme measures (åtgärdsprogram). It should be stated what the needs are and how they are to be met. The pupil and the guardians are to be involved in this work (Chapter 3, paragraph 9).

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

E3. Sign language and Braille in school

The School Law recognizes sign language as a subject in education. According to the School Regulation (Skolförordning SFS 2011:185), schools are obliged to arrange for teaching in sign language if there are five or more pupils who choose it and (Chapter 9, paragraphs 6 and 7). According to the Decree on Municipal Adult Education (SKS 2011:1108) students with hearing impairments can have courses in sign language.

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E4. Vocational training

There are two different courses in a vocational program at upper secondary schools; school placement or workplace placement (apprenticeship). As an apprentice, the student does the largest part of his education in a workplace. Workplace-based vocational education uses the same subject plans as school-based vocational education and the education leads to the same vocational qualification as a school-based program. Apprenticeship training is an option within all vocational programs and national programs in special upper secondary school (for students with intellectual disabilities).
The national adult education system gives adults with disabilities an opportunity to supplement their education. Primarily, those who have received the least education are given an opportunity to strengthen their position in working, cultural and political life through education. Adult education is carried out as municipal adult education (basic adult education, upper-secondary adult education and supplementary education) and adult education for persons with severe learning disabilities. In addition, the Government supports liberal adult education that gives priority to activities that aim at bridging educational gaps and is geared towards educationally, socially and culturally disadvantaged people. Particularly important target groups are people of foreign descent, people with physical or intellectual disabilities and those who are unemployed. All providers of vocational training are subject to anti-discrimination laws in relation to disability.

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E5. Higher education

According to the Discrimination Act discrimination is explicitly prohibited in the area of education. At all universities and institutions of higher education there is a contact person/coordinator working with issues relating to educational support for students with disabilities. Examples of available services are sign language interpretation, help with reading, note-taking and proofreading, personal assistants, certain technical aids, for example, in specially equipped rooms, extended time for exams, alternative exams, mentors or other individualised support measures, audio books and books in Braille.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

F. Employment

F1. Non-discrimination in employment

The Discrimination Act of 2008 can be applied to employment and it covers all features of the relationship between employer and employee. Self-employed people are however not covered in the same way but can nevertheless be protected against discrimination as natural persons when, for instance, starting or running a business or obtaining professional recognition (Ch. 2 Sec. 10). Organisations of professionals are forbidden to discriminate against self-employed people as well as the employed (Ch. 2 Sec. 11). Permits, approvals, certifications and financial support are further examples of areas that are covered and many other provisions in the Discrimination Act apply to self-employed as well as to employed persons.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

F2. Public employment services

The Public Employment Services (PES) is responsible for labour market policies concerning people with disabilities (Law 2000:628). Within PES job seekers with disabilities are offered a range of vocational rehabilitation measures and employment support. Young job seekers with disabilities can receive guidance, specialist support or customisation of the workplace at the transition from school to work. People with disabilities who want to start their own business can apply for special support at the start of business. PES offers various types of wage subsidised employment for people with disabilities. In these forms of employment PES offers additional supervision as well as the opportunity to try out work aids. Sheltered employment at Samhall can be offered to job seekers who are in need of a job with much supervision. For those who need individualised support in starting and maintaining a job, PES can provide support in the form of a SIUS consultant. If the employee needs to get additional support from someone in the workplace, PES can compensate the employer for a personal assistant who provides that kind of support in the workplace. The employer may also be compensated financially with wage subsidies. If needed, PES can also provide psychosocial adjustment support, often in the form of a dialogue between PES and the employee. Employers can also get this kind of support. People with vision or hearing loss can be supported by a deaf specialist, vision specialist, audiologist or other professionals in the field. People who use sign language can receive sign language interpreter (or writing interpreter, or an interpreter in tactile sign language) at meetings and activities at PES. For employees who must attend a course or education at work, employers can apply for funding for interpreter costs. Self-employed can also get this kind of support.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

F3. Workplace adaptations

Support at the workplace in terms of assistive devices or physical adaptation can be provided up to a certain amount of money. Technical aids are provided through the county governments or through the municipalities for those with impairments. The cost for technical aids varies among the counties. Therefore, while some counties provide all equipment free of charge, others take minimal fees. The Health and Medical Service Act of 1982 regulates the provision of assistive equipment. The Public Employment Services can provide physical adaptations and assistive devices in recruitment, placement, employment training, or in starting own business. The social insurance agency can provide grants for work aids to employees returning to work after a longer period of sick leave or preventive. Both employees and employers can apply for the grants. The employer applies for grants concerning work aids or adaptations in the property, i.e. that a machine or building needs to be rebuilt. If work aid is individual in nature, the employee applies for the grant. Soft adaptations (e.g. reduced workload, slower pace) are not covered, but it is assumed that the wage subsidy covers such costs.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

F4. Financial incentives

The most extensive measure is that of wage subsidies. The aim of giving grants to employers is that persons with work impairment will obtain and keep a job, which they would otherwise not have got. Wage subsidy is regulated in the Ordinance on Certain Support for Persons with Work Impairment (Förordning 2000:630 om särskilda insatser för personer med funktionshinder som medför nedsatt arbetsförmåga). Public protected employment is provided for persons with impairment who have a reduced working capacity. This employment measure includes elements of rehabilitation; the employment should lead to work in the open employment market. Employment is organised through the government company Samhall AB and is offered to persons with impairment who have a reduced working capacity. Public protected and sheltered employment is regulated by the Ordinance on certain support for persons with work impairment of 2000:630 and Ordinance on the political working programme of 2000.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

G. Statistics and data collection

G1. Official research

There is no official research institute or department responsible for research on disability equality and the collection of relevant data and statistics. However, The Swedish Agency for Participation is an expert agency whose mission is to contribute to knowledge on matters related to participation, accessibility, universal design, welfare technology , environment, living conditions and rights of persons with disabilities. The Agency should work cross-sector and disseminate knowledge, take responsibility for training and information activities, disseminate experience and good examples, initiate development, initiate and monitor research and promote innovation in national and international contexts. Concerning research, the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare is responsible for the coordination of research on functional impairments.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

G2. Census data

Until 1990 Census data were collected through questionnaires and administrative registers. From 1990 to 2011 there was no Census. The 2011 Census was based entirely on administrative registers. In neither case disabled people were identified.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

G3. Labour Force Survey

There is a Labour Force Sample Survey in Sweden since the 1960s. Disabled people are not identified in the ordinary survey but specific sample surveys on disabled people have been carried out as a supplement to the Swedish Labour Force Surveys in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012/13. During 2011 data have been collected in accordance with the EU Directive EC No 577/98 (‘The 2011 ad hoc module on employment of disabled people’) and delivered to Eurostat. Sweden participated in the European LFS module in 2002. From 2014 the government assigned the responsibility on the Public Employment Services to report by 31 March each year the results of an annual survey on the labour market situation of persons with disabilities.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

G4. Disability equality indicators

The Swedish Agency for Participation gives information on various national surveys where data on people with disabilities are shown and sometimes compared to the population at large.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

H. Awareness and external action

H1. Awareness raising programs

The Swedish Agency for Participation has been commissioned responsible for training and information activities concerning people with disabilities and full participation in society.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

H2. Training for teachers

In teacher´s education, the students only read 7.5 higher education credits of special education for the total 240 credits of the education. According to the school law, a student will quickly receive support in the form of additional adjustments in the regular education, if the student cannot reach the minimum knowledge requirements. If there are reasons to assume that additional adjustments in the regular education would not be sufficient, a notification should be made to the headmaster directly. After notification, the headmaster shall ensure that the pupil's need for special support is promptly assessed. The provision of action programmes is amended to make it clear that the needs to be stated in the programme are precisely the need for special support that the student requires.
The National Agency for Education offers continuing education to teachers. The Lärarlyftet (Teachers' Boost) is for teachers who currently do not have the qualifications for the subjects they teach. Through the Teachers' Boost, teachers can read the entire or parts of a specialist teacher training that leads to a specialist teacher's degree.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

H3. Training for lawyers

There are only individual lectures about disability that are not compulsory. Introductions to disability laws are given but there are no special courses focusing on disability law. Disabled people’s organisations are not involved as trainers. Courses in Human Rights are provided for law students at the basic level. Master programs in Human Rights for Law students are provided at five universities.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

H4. Training for doctors

Disability awareness/ equality issues are in general not part of initial medical training, although there may be individual lectures about disability, e.g. an introduction to The WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. For those specialising in subjects like rehabilitative medicine, audiology and child neurology there is a greater focus on disability. Disabled people’s organisations are not involved as trainers.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

H5. Training for engineers

In engineers’ training programmes there are only in exceptional cases, lectures about disability. In training programmes for designers there is more focus on disability. One example is Certec, which is the Division of Rehabilitation Engineering Research in the Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University. The purpose of their research and education is for people with disabilities to achieve better opportunities through improved technology, new design concepts and new individual forms of learning. Their work begins and ends with the person, while both the process and results are often genuinely technical in nature. At some institutions (e.g. Certec) disabled people are involved as trainers.

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Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

H6. International development aid

The government organisation ‘Swedish international development cooperation agency’ (Sida) has developed a methodology aimed at giving its staff information, tools and inspiration to integrate and apply a rights perspective in international development cooperation. Sida's application of the rights perspective includes both the human rights to be achieved and how it can be done in a way that builds on and leads to human rights principles. The rights perspective is part of the Policy Framework for Swedish Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid.

Links

Update date: Thu, 2019-05-30

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