Open AccessThinking relationally: Disability, families and cultural-historical activity theory
Author(s) -
Jóna Guðbjörg Ingólfsdóttir,
Rannveig Traustadóttir,
Snæfríður Þóra Egilson,
Dan Goodley
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
barn
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2535-5449
pISSN - 0800-1669
DOI - 10.5324/barn.v30i4.4122
Subject(s) - convention , welfare , social welfare , convention on the rights of persons with disabilities , service (business) , welfare state , sociology , public relations , psychology , political science , social psychology , social science , business , politics , law , marketing
It is commonly expressed by parents of disabled children within the Nordic region that there is a mismatch between the official aims of the welfare state and the services provided. In an attempt to explore ways to improve welfare services for disabled children and their families this article proposes three social-relational approaches to disability, family, and service systems which combined may create a basis for new and dynamic ways of working with families. The first approach is a relational understanding of disability, the second a family-centred theory characterized by partnerships with parents, and the third a cultural-historical activity theory emphasizing inter-organizational learning as a method to develop services. Developing ways to fulfil the welfare states’ promise of equality and human rights for all is particularly relevant now when all the Nordic countries are currently striving to meet the demands of the new UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.