Session 4.4.2: “People with disabilities in the Arctic: Experiences & perspectives”

Over the past years there has been an increasing focus on diversity and inclusion. However, people with disabilities are often overlooked. To date, a few studies, mostly from a medical perspective, have started to shed light on the prevalence of specific impairments in Arctic communities. Still less attention has been paid to the lived experiences of people with disabilities within their social, cultural, political, geographical and historical context, which, according to the “social model” of disability, may play a key role in “enabling” or “disabling” people with impairments.

The aim of this session is to bring together researchers and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines interested in the experiences and inclusion of people with disabilities in the Arctic. We invite presentations addressing experiences, knowledge and practices from different perspectives in order to identify directions for future research and opportunities for collaboration.

Possible topics for presentations include (but are not limited to):

  • Experiences of people with disabilities in the Arctic
  • Perspectives of family, community members, co-workers and professionals (e.g. teachers, social workers, administrators)
  • Case studies in different cultural and/or historical contexts
  • Challenges and best practices concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities in different contexts (e.g., education, workplace, community life) in Arctic communities or when moving south for care or access to services
  • Accessible tourism in the Arctic
  • Accessibility of Arctic research to researchers and stakeholders with disabilities.

Practical information about the session

  • Face-to-face (in Bodø)
  • The session will be 90 minutes in total, with approx. 6 presentations (about 15 min per presentation, incl. time for questions)
  • Conference and session language: English

Abstract submission

  • For information about abstracts and abstract submission, please see: Call for Abstracts — Arctic Congress 2024 Bodø. Please make sure to select session 4.4.2. “People with disabilities in the Arctic: Experiences & perspectives”.
  • Deadline for abstract submission: 5th January 2024, 17:00 CET.

Session organizers:

Birgit Pauksztat, Nordland Research Institute, email: bpa@nforsk.no

Tove Mentsen Ness, Centre for Saami and Indigenous Studies, email: tove.m.ness@nord.no

Merete Kvamme Fabritius, Nordland Research Institute, email: mkf@nforsk.no

Trond Bliksvær, Nordland Research Institute, email: tbl@nforsk.no