Major challenges and political commitments - Sweden

1. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 Major challenges and political commitments - Sweden Christina Janzon Swedish Social Insurance Agency christina.janzon@forsakringskassan.se www.forsakringskassan.se

2. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 Swedish Disability Policy • Disability in Sweden • The political framework • The institutional framework • Major challenges

3. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 Disability in Sweden • More than one million = every fifth person between 16-64 • Every tenth person a disability with a reduced ability to work • People with a disability – lower labour force participation rate

4. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 The political framework • Citizens with the same rights and obligations • Based on United Nations Standard Rules • Disability policy - a question of democracy - based on citizenship rather than care and nursing

5. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 The political framework Policy goals: • Social community based on diversity • Full participation in community life for people with disabilities • Equality of living conditions

6. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 The political framework Prioritised areas: • the Government will work to ensure that the disability perspective permeates every sector of society, • to create a society that is accessible to all and • to improve our approach and response to persons with disabilities.

7. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-03-14 The political framework Fourteen sector agencies, with special responsibility for implementing disability policies in their respective sectors. For example: • The Swedish Social Agency • The Swedish Labour Market Administration

8. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 The institutional framework • The municipality; e.g. home adaptation, transport services, daily activities and home help services • The county council; e.g. Health care, habilitation, rehabilitation, technical aids • The State; e.g. Labour market Authority, Social Insurance Agency

9. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-03-14 The Swedish Labour Market Administration Objectives: • to utilize the working capacity of each person • The welfare model is based on the principle of work • Active labour market programmes - priority over the passive payment of benefits • Number of lasting transitions of people with disabilities from subsidized employment to employment in the open labour market without subsidies should increase.

10. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 The Swedish Labour Market Administration • Wage subsidy • Supported employment • Sheltered employment • Adaptation at the work-place

11. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 The Swedish Social Insurance Agency • Administrates financial support to e.g. families, in case of sickness, pension benefits and specific benefits due to disabilities. • Activity compensation

12. Swedish Disability Policy •Christina Janzon •2005-04-11 Major challenges • To produce results • Administration • Notion disability • Attitudes • Better education