ICS Seminar - Professor Line Melbøe, The Arctic University of Norway

Disability equality in the Sámi population in Norway

Presenter: Professor Line Melbøe, The Arctic University of Norway

Discussant: Professor Karen Soldatić (WSU)

Chair: Dr Emma Mitchell (WSU)

An Auslan Interpreter will be present on Zoom

Abstract

In contrast to Indigenous people globally, who are known to have poor health outcomes in comparison to other population groups, the Indigenous population of Norway, the Sami, have similar health outcomes and living conditions as the rest of the Norwegian population. However, Indigenous people with disabilities are known to also face discrimination and other challenges related to their disability, and not necessarily being given the rights they are entitled to according to CRPD (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities). Thus, I will in this paper explore: What barriers do Sami disabled people experience in the fulfillment of their rights according to CRPD? Method: The presentation is based on a qualitative interview study exploring the everyday life experiences of Sami people with disabilities, and a quantitative survey examining the living conditions of Sami with intellectual disabilities. Both studies had an inclusive design, and in the quantitative study people with intellectual disabilities and with Sami background participated as co-researchers.

Presenter

Line Melbøe is a professor at the Arctic Centre of Welfare and Disability Studies at UiT, the Arctic University of Norway. Her PhD is in Health Science, and her research interests include disability studies, citizenship, inclusion in school, work and democratic processes, Covid-19, and the situation of Indigenous people with disabilities.

Event Details

Date & Time: Thursday, 23 March 2023, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Venue: Room: EA.1.28, Parramatta South Campus