Stepping into the unknown – welfare, disability, culture and theatre as an opportunity for equality?

‘Better than Medicine’: Theatre and health in the contemporary Norwegian context

“…However, in the last years there has been a growing interest in the field. Academics such as Ellen Seur, Oddbjørn Johansen, Ellen Foyn Brun, Rikke Gürgens Gjaerum, Gro Ramsdal and Rolf Wynn have published articles about Norwegian theatre in health initiatives both nationally and internationally (Seur and Johansen 2013;Ramsdal et al 2013;Gjaerum 2013aGjaerum , 2013bBruun 2012). The interest in the field can also be exemplified by the fact that the Nordic dramapedagogic journal Drama launched a special issue about drama and health in 2013.…”

“…This scepticism also reflects other concerns about the legitimacy of the arts when in dialogue with health care agencies and the fear that the arts will be reduced to a tool in the service of health, who, as commissioners, hold the power. It also reflects the unease that has been expressed about using art to meet certain predefined goals and that the powerful discourses of medicine will define the aims of arts in health projects (Berg 2014;Seur and Johansen 2013). These concerns raise a number of questions.…”

Employment for persons with intellectual disability in the Nordic countries: A scoping review

“…One recurring element seems to be the varying supports that employers experience when hiring persons with intellectual disability. Employers highlight the need for advisory support (Kuznetsova & Yalcin, 2017), but at least three studies suggest that this support is not always adequate (Beyer et al, 2010;Knüppel et al, 2019;Saloviita & Pirttimaa, 2007). Supported employment programmes may be an effective intervention to address employers' experienced need for support to accommodate the workplace for employees with intellectual disability (Tholen et al, 2017).…”

“…Supported employment programmes may be an effective intervention to address employers' experienced need for support to accommodate the workplace for employees with intellectual disability (Tholen et al, 2017). However, three of the included studies indicate that there is considerable variation in the content of supported employment programmes, and certain programmes may even bar persons with significant disabilities, which may disadvantage persons with intellectual disability (Beyer et al, 2010;Saloviita & Pirttimaa, 2007;Skedinger & Widerstedt, 2007).…”

The Right of People with Disabilities to Participate in Cultural Life: Is Cinderella Going to the Ball?

“…Jakubowicz and Meekosha (2003, p.190) suggest that disability culture seeks to revalorize disability experiences and affirms 'different embodiments through literature, drama, sport and music'. Literature on artistic participation by people with disabilities stresses how this can lead to the articulation of identities and experiences that are otherwise overlooked (Saur & Johansen, 2013;Taylor, 2005). Relatedly, we contend that cultural participation is indispensable to combatting stigma and realizing the recognition dimension of inclusive equality.…”