About NAKU
The National Competence Centre on Intellectual Disabilities (NAKU) develops and disseminates professional knowledge to promote quality of life, participation, and living conditions for people with intellectual disabilities, including those with common co-occurring conditions such as autism.
NAKU’s overarching goal is to strengthen services for people with intellectual disabilities in Norway. We support municipal service development by providing accessible, evidence-based resources through a comprehensive knowledge bank. This includes articles, videos, and practical tools that service providers can use for guidance and support in their daily work.
We play an active role in promoting the national guideline “Good Health and Care Services for People with Intellectual Disabilities”, and work to ensure that its recommendations are implemented in local services.
NAKU connects professionals and stakeholders across primary and specialist services, public agencies, and research institutions—ensuring that expertise benefits individuals with intellectual disabilities. We facilitate professional networking and participate in a wide range of national and international networks, as well as research and development projects. NAKU also serves on advisory boards and reference groups, and conducts its own research within the field.
Background
NAKU was established in 2006 by the Norwegian Directorate for Health and Social Affairs, following recommendations in the 2003 White Paper “Breaking Down Disabling Barriers”. The paper highlighted significant challenges in municipal services for people with intellectual disabilities, including persistent issues following the 1991 Responsibility Reform. In 2005, a report (IS-1320) was published assessing the need for a national competence centre and outlining its responsibilities.
NAKU is a nationwide centre, funded annually by the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and is administratively located at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Mental Health. The centre has been evaluated twice by the Directorate of Health, most recently in 2012.