The Personal is Political – And Then What? Ideology, Representation, and Legitimacy in a Swedish Disability Organisation

Background: Who can or cannot claim to represent other members within the disability rights movement has been discussed for decades, mainly concerning being disabled as an eligibility prerequisite. Aim(s): The aim is analyse arguments representational claims a Swedish organisation (DHR, Disability Human Rights). Method: Every member of DHR was given opportunity answer three open-ended questions. Answers were subjected qualitative content analysis. Results: Two main dimensions found. ideological dimension legitimises representation through lived experience human approach. pragmatic relational organisational necessities. Further analysis revealed paradox: When representative required have body with certain characteristics, knowledge-related aspects risk devaluation. Conclusion(s): Paradoxically, goal rendering impairment irrelevant in society, while issue when electing representatives.