Needs and Ambitions in Swedish Disability Care

Abstract

The Swedish Disability Act, LSS, was introduced to guarantee good living conditions for people with severe disabilities. A specific goal was to overcome local variation in support. However, considerable differences still remain between the municipalities. In this study we have identified six characteristics to explain this variation: earlier presence of residential institutions, population density, human capital (age, education, employment, health), local culture, land area and stable left-wing government. The results support a need-responsiveness model of welfare support but also signal accessibility problems and a regional propensity to demand and provide independently of needs. This means that spatial equity is violated. In sum, it still matters where you live.

Keywords

• Welfare state, disability politics, spatial equity, need, demand, supply, social support, local government, accessibility