Funksjonshemmet

Funksjonshemmet is a Norwegian term commonly used to describe a person who has a functional impairment that affects daily life. The word is formed from funksjon (function) and hemmet (hindered). It can function as an adjective (en funksjonshemmet person) or, in older usage, as a noun. In contemporary language, many prefer person-first expressions such as personer med funksjonsnedsettelser to emphasize the person before the condition, while some contexts still use funksjonshemmet or funksjonshemmede, especially in historical or formal texts.

Disability can be understood through different models. The medical model views disability as a deficit within the individual, while the social model emphasizes barriers in society and the environment that restrict participation. Modern policy tends to the social and rights-based perspective, focusing on accessibility, inclusion in education and employment, and participation in public life.

In Norway, as in many countries, laws protect against discrimination based on disability and promote accessibility. Public services and spaces are encouraged to follow universal design principles, and support is available through health care, social services, and reasonable accommodations. Assistive technologies, accessible information, and transportation improvements are important components of inclusion.

Terminology related to disability evolves with ongoing debates about dignity and autonomy. While funksjonshemmet remains a familiar term in some contexts, language shifts toward person-centered phrasing, reflecting a broader emphasis on rights, participation, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.