For individuals with a considerable disability because of Spinal cord injury (SCI), entitlement to personal assistance provided through the Act concerning Support and Service for Persons with Certain Functional Impairments (LSS) is a prerequisite for enjoying equal rights to live in the community, including full participation. The LSS Act previously positioned Sweden as a leading country regarding independent living for persons with disabilities. However, recent austerity measures and unequal access have raised concerns.

In line with the convention on the rights of persons with disability and the LSS Act, disabled persons have become an integral part of the social debate, advocating for equal conditions and inclusion in decisions that impact their lives. Voicing individual and collective experiences is also critical in research and the development of healthcare practice.

This workshop will present a participatory research project using photovoice. The project aimed to explore the experiences of living and operating on terms equal to others with the support of personal assistance after SCI, and how these experiences relate to social norms and societal context. Photographs and narratives from the project will serve as triggers for dialogue, and interactive methods will be used to facilitate the exchange between participants. The following topics will be in focus: Experiences regarding personal assistance support after SCI in the Nordic countries. Experiences of rehabilitation support concerning participation in everyday life for individuals entitled to personal assistance. Actions needed to promote equal participation in everyday life for individuals entitled to personal assistants after SCI?