Implementeringen av internationella ramverk på lokal nivå; En intervjustudie om tillgänglighetsanpassade lekplatser i Göteborgs Stad

Abstract

This study examines how well international frameworks, especially the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, are implemented locally in Gothenburg, Sweden, focusing on accessible playgrounds. The aim is to identify potential gaps between international obligations and local actions in providing inclusive play areas for all children and to see how accessible play impacts the lives of children with disabilities. The study includes qualitative semi-structured interviews with three people directly involved in accessible playgrounds: a teacher working with children with disabilities, a parent of a child with intellectual disabilities, and a former employee from Gothenburg’s Park and Nature Department. Additionally UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Sweden’s Anti-Discrimination Act, and Gothenburg’s playground guidelines were analyzed through qualitative content analysis . The study uses several theories, including Universal Design, ableism, and glocalization. Universal Design provides insights for understanding how playgrounds can be built to include all children, regardless of ability. Ableism highlights discrimination against people with disabilities, and glocalization talks about how global and local practices influence each other, which helps explain how Gothenburg tries to implement international standards while dealing with local challenges. The results of the study show that Gothenburg has several obstacles in making playgrounds fully accessible. The interviews reveal specific issues, like the lack of fences in the playground areas, which are crucial for children with intellectual disabilities who may wander off or have difficulty understanding boundaries. However implementing these solutions has shown often challenging due to competing priorities, such as ecological and economic sustainability, as well as limited awareness of the needs of children with disabilities.