Rätten till ett liv som andra : Föreställningar om funktionalitet, normalitet och sårbarhet i LSS (Lagen om stöd och service till vissa funktionshindrade)

This thesis analyzes the concept of ”funktionalitet” (the dis/ability divide), normality and vulnerability in the Swedish Law on Support and Service to Certain Disabled People (Lagen om stöd och service till vissa funktionshindrade – LSS). LSS is the main rights law for people with disabilities and was groundbreaking when it came, but has since its legislation not been developed any further. Recent debate has shown that the law is not implemented according to its intentions. Through the use of discourse analysis and the theoretical perspectives ableism, intersectionality and vulnerability this thesis investigates the understanding of ”funktionalitet” in the legislation and the official government inquiry (SOU 1991:46) that submitted a proposal for the law in 1991. The main conclusions of the analysis point toward a conception of ”funktionalitet” as both depending on the power structure of ableism and as a diversity in humanity. The position as a person with disability is portrayed as a special (or pathogenic) vulnerability in order to claim special rights. Moreover the thesis briefly discusses how the position as a person with disabilities is denied other identificatory categories such as a person with a gender identity, sexuality and/or being a parent. These are topics for further research