title: People with intellectual disabilities in iceland: a bourdieuean interpretation of self-advocacy.
abstract: There are many barriers to social participation in Iceland for people with intellectual disabilities. This article builds on qualitative research with young adults with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this article is to develop an approach where the struggles over the meaning of social participation of people with intellectual disabilities are seen as social strategies. In the article, the authors suggest that people with intellectual disabilities are carving out a space where intellectual disability is gaining higher social status. They also posit that people with intellectual disabilities use several social strategies in the emerging field of self-advocacy for the purpose of improving their social position. Thus, the article contributes to a new social understanding of disability and how people with disabilities gain authority over their lives and experiences.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Disability Studies, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Iceland, Sturlugata, Reykjavík, Iceland. krb@hi.is
authors.forename: Kristín
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Björnsdóttir
authors.forename: Ingólfur Asgeir
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Jóhannesson
mesh_terms: D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011287:Prejudice; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012928:Social Desirability; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult