Aim: Ideologically propelled by the Normalization Principle the Swedish policy and service system for people with intellectual disability has since the 1960 undergone drastic changes like deinstitutionalization and decentralisation of services to the local municipalities. The aim of this paper focusing the post-normalization disability policy and practice is to present a research-based examination of the current situation for people with intellectual disability in Sweden.

Method: Meta-analysis of current Swedish research in the field of intellectual disability.

Findings: This paper highlights the right-based law as well as the current trends and challenges faced by people with intellectual disability. The paradox of increased self-advocacy movement at the same time as the categorization of children and youth as intellectual disabled is increasing is discussed as well as the discrepancies in service provision and the increasing number of private service providers.

Conclusions: People with intellectual disability in Sweden face a number of challenges in a considerably transformed welfare system. Comparisons of similarities and differences in for example the self-advocacy movement or the marketization between the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Swedish rights-based legislation should be useful for knowledge and development in both countries.