Support and service for people with disabilities
People with disabilities should be able to live active, meaningful lives in community with others and take part in society on equal terms with others. Carers should feel secure with the efforts of the municipality and know what help is being given on the basis of needs and all the things that go to make good quality of life.
Support for people with disabilities is available in the form of housing, employment and day to day work, short-term stays, personal assistance and escort services. The entitlement to these services is checked in accordance with the Social Services Act (socialtjänstlagen) and the Act on support and service for people with disabilities (lagen om stöd och service till vissa funktionshindrade).
General information about the Act on support and service for people with disabilities
The Act on support and service for people with disabilities is a rights law which guarantees that people with extensive and permanent disabilities that they will receive the help they need with their day to day lives. The aim is to allow individuals the opportunity to live like other people.
The following people are entitled to services:
- people with developmental disorders, autism or conditions similar to autism
- people with significant and permanent learning disabilities or brain damage as adults caused by external violence or physical illness
- people with other permanent physical or mental disabilities (which are not due to normal ageing) if these are major and cause significant difficulties in day to day life and hence there is an extensive need for support or service.
The services which may be granted are:
- help from a personal assistant
- escort service
- help from a contact person
- respite care in the home
- short-term stays away from home
- short-term supervision for schoolchildren aged over 12
- accommodation in family homes or in homes with special services for children and young people
- homes with special services for adults or other specially adapted homes for adults
- day to day activities.
Support and service in accordance with the Act on support and service for people with disabilities is essentially free. Reasonable charges may be made for accommodation, travel, subsistence, leisure activities and cultural activities.
The municipality is responsible for ensuring that people with physical or mental disabilities receive what they are entitled to by law. Most municipalities have an officer working in accordance with the Act on support and service for people with disabilities whom people can consult.
