Policies concerning assistive technology and home modification services for people with physical and cognitive disabilities in Sweden

Issue title: Assistive Technology for People with Neurological Disability

Guest editors: Tony Gentry

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Bartfai, Aniko | Boman, Inga-Lill^{; *}

Affiliations: Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Sciences Danderyds Hospital, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden | Department of Occupational Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 980008, Richmond, VA 23298-0008, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Inga-Lill Boman, Division of Rehabilitation Medicine, Danderyds Hospital, 182 88 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel.: +46 739494399; Fax: +46 8 655 77 53; E-mail: inga-lill.boman@ds.se

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe policies, laws and regulations regarding the procurement of assistive technology and home modifications for individuals with disabilities in Sweden. Children up to ages 17–21 are entitled to free access to assistive technology. For adults the access is substantially subsidized with public funding. We will discuss the issues and implications of new technology, with an emphasis on assistive technology for cognitive impairment. Today, the social security system is financially burdened due to increasing demands and limited economic growth. However, the basic doctrine of the “Swedish model” remains, evoking structural and ethical issues.

Keywords: Assistive technology, home modification, disability, cognitive impairment, reimbursement policies, “Swedish model”

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2011-0658

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 303-308, 2011