The national strategies of the countries
The Nordic Welfare Centre, together with the members of the Council of Nordic Cooperation on Disability, monitors what is happening in the national disability policy landscapes. Choose a country in the list below.
The Ministry of Culture and Equality (Kultur- og likestillingsdepartementet) has overall responsibility for Norway’s equality and anti-discrimination legislation, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of disability. The Ministry also coordinates the Government’s overall disability equality policy.
From 1 January 2026, Norway has incorporated the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) into the Human Rights Act (Menneskerettsloven). Consequently, the Convention forms part of Norwegian law and, in the event of conflict, takes precedence over other legislation pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of the Human Rights Act. Responsibility for the implementation of the Act rests with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Norway has disability policy strategies and action plans across several policy areas. The overarching strategy is A Society for All – Government Strategy for Equality for Persons with Disabilities 2020–2030. The Government is currently revising the strategy, with a revised version expected during 2026.
The strategy is supported by several action plans, including:
- Action Plan for Equality for Persons with Disabilities
- Sustainability and Equal Opportunities – A Universally Designed Norway (2021–2025)
The action plans have been developed jointly by several ministries with contributions from organisations of persons with disabilities, professional organisations and expert bodies.
The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir) has a specific responsibility for supporting the national implementation of the CRPD, coordinating the Government’s action plans on equality and universal design, and developing and disseminating knowledge on the living conditions of persons with disabilities.
The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud (LDO) provides guidance on equality and anti-discrimination legislation, monitors Norway’s implementation of the CRPD and handles complaints concerning discrimination.
NAV – the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration administers a wide range of social security benefits, including work assessment allowance, disability benefits, sickness benefits, pensions, child benefits, cash-for-care benefits and assistive technology services.
Norway’s ten County Governors (Statsforvalteren) represent the central government at regional level and supervise, advise and support municipalities in implementing national legislation and public policy.
Norway has 357 municipalities, which are responsible for delivering many of the health, social care and support services provided to persons with disabilities.
There are two national umbrella organisations representing organisations of persons with disabilities:
- Norwegian Federation of Organisations of Disabled People (FFO)
- The Cooperative Forum of Organisations of Disabled People (SAFO)
Disabled Youth Norway (Unge funksjonshemmede) is the national umbrella organisation for youth disability organisations.
These organisations support municipal and county disability councils and participate in national dialogue and consultation with the Government.
KS – The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities develops and disseminates knowledge and practical resources to municipalities on disability equality and inclusion. KS also coordinates a national network on universal design.
