So, today it was time for my own presentation at the NNDR conference in (an even more sunny) Örebro. It is a challenge to talk about something seemingly neverending (i.e my doctoral thesis) in only 15 minutes. What to include? Which stories to tell? Anyway, I am happy with the way my presentation turned out, and the positive feedback I received. 

The most impression of today, however, was not my own presentation, but the opportunity to listen to a symposium about the intersection between indigeneity and disability. I must admit that I haven’t given much thought to the issues of disability in indigenous people. The discussion at the symposium made me realise that the sami people (i.e the indigenous people in the northen part of Sweden) is neglected to the extent that we are not even able to study them. Read more at www.nordicwelfare.org/sapmi

It was also interesting to learn more about the aborigines in this regard. Thank you, John Gilroy for travelling from  Australia to enlighten us! 

The last keynote speaker to take the stage was Berth Danemark. I have heard him talking about critical realism, reductionism and interdisciplinary reserach several times before, but it is always interesting. I really like the ontology and epistemology of his work. 

I leave Örebro and NNDR in a very happy mood, but at the same time I cannot wait to get home to my husband and my cat. Have a nice weekend! 

Another sunny day in Örebro, at the NNDR conference! Another interesting, inspirational, nice day. 

Lisa Pfahl turned the fact that no European country has abandoned school segregation since the CRPD was ratified into a call for action. Disability research needs to step it up to make a difference! Yes, a lot is being done, but we have a long way to go. Ready, steady….. 

It is always an inspiration and a pleasure to listen to Per-Olof Hedvall from Certec, when he talks about universal design. His points about average humans (There is no such thing! So, who are we design for?) and normality (We need to celebrate diversity instead of striving for the normal!) made a true impression on the audience today. 

I also enjoyed the poster session, the informal meetings during lunch and coffee breaks, the symposium ”Young and digital”, and… and…. All of it. 

Last but not least, I had a nice time at the conference dinner tonight. Some nice reunions, some nice new acquaintances. And, as we say in Sweden the dot above the i, the onion on the salmon, the cream on the mash: the Örebro University Choir  did a really great job entertaining us! 

Today, 350 delegates from more than 20 countries gathered to attend  the 14th Nordic Network on DisabilityResearch (NNDR) conference hosted by Örebro University here in Sweden. That is, 349 and me! 

My head is spinning of all the impressions from all the lectures, meetings, laughs and new friends (not least the 20 persons gathered at the pre-conference meeting about technology and disability research, out of which a few actually are computational linguists!). Simo Vehmas made fun of us Swedes (and is still planning on moving here). Don Kulick made som important points about speaking for others (Is it possible for a us as researchers to speak for the person we study? Can a disability researcher claim credibility if not disabled himself?). 

But the most interesting contact of today must have been Charlotte Glintborg from Denmark. Her research is about people with acquired brain injuries and their re-negotiation of identity. The way she described their positioning against others, and their comparisons over time, may be just what I need! I will definitely keep in contact with her. 

By the way, Bengt Westerberg – yes, the politician and now the head of The Swedish Institute for Disability Research – stoppad by. He gave a stort talk, critisizing (rightfully) the recent development within the LSS. He also, obviuosly, delivered some refreshments. Thank you, Bengt!

My own presentation will take place in Teknikhuset on Friday. Looking forward!