In Sweden, the normalisation principle has been important behind reforms like deinstitutionalisation and the provision of services within the community for people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this collection of articles about Swedish disability policy and practice across the life course is to give a research-based examination of the current situation for people with intellectual disabilities. This introductory article gives an overview of the provision of education and support systems for people with intellectual disabilities in Sweden today, and highlights the current trends and challenges faced by these people. The paradox of increasing self-advocacy and at the same time increasing categorisation is discussed, as well as the discrepancies in service provision. Comparisons of similarities in, for example, marketisation between the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Swedish rights-based legislation should be useful for knowledge and development in both countries. © 2015 Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability