DOTCOM: the Disability Online Tool of the Commission
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Finland
A. UN Convention status
A1. Ratification or conclusion of the UN Convention
Finland signed the UN Convention on 3 March 2007. The Parliament accepted the governmental bill to ratify the UN Convention on 3 March 2015, which was followed by the ratification on 11 May 2016. The ratification entered into force on 10 June 2016.
Links
- Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (Human Rights Council, 2012)
- Current government platform
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A2. Ratification or accession to the Optional Protocol
Finland signed the optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 30 March 2007, and ratified it on 11 May 2016. It entered into force on 10 June 2016.
Links
- National Disability Policy VAMPO 2010-2015
- Press release of the government
- Ratification handbook of a DPO (in Finnish)
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A3. Declarations, Reservations and Objections
Finland has not registered any Declarations, Reservations or Objections.
Links
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A4. Comprehensive review
A comprehensive review of the existing legislation was done before Finland ratified the UN Convention. On 1 January 2011 the Act on Home Municipality and the Social Welfare Act were modified to meet the demands of Article 19 of the UN Convention. Amendments have been made to the Act on Home Municipality and to the Act on Social Welfare Act, as well. These amendments made it possible for persons residing in institutional care, supported housing and adult foster care to move officially to a municipality where they stay in care at least for one year. After a lengthy preparation process, the Parliament made an amendment in the Law on Intellectual Disabilities (519/1977) in 2016, which came into force in June 2016. This amendment widened self-determination of people with intellectual disabilities and reduced the use of involuntary measures, in order to meet the requirements of the UN Convention. A proposal for specific legislation on self-determination is in the legislative process. Finland published a National Implementation Programme of the Convention in 2018.
Links
- A written question to the Speaker of Parliament 381/2012: 'What is the government intending to do to hurry the ratification of the UN Convention?'
- Amendments to the Act on Home Municipality (1377/2010)
- Amendments to the Act on Social Welfare Act (1378/2010) Service
- Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- The final report of the working group on self-determination
- The final report on the reform of disability legislation
- A bill on the special services for people with intellectual disability
- Action Plan on the UNCRPD 2018-2019
Update date:
A5. Focal point
The focal point at the government is set in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and in the Minister of Health and Social Affairs.
Links
- National Disability Programme VAMPO 2010-2015
- Disability policy programme (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health)
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A6. Coordination mechanism
Following the ratification of the Convention, the newly reformed advisory board for the rights of persons with disabilities as the national coordination system was established under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The board consists of representatives of the ministries, persons with disabilities and their families, labour market organisations as well as representatives from regional and local government. The task of the coordination mechanism includes coordination, counseling, education and communication related to the ratification.
Links
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A7. Independent mechanism
The Human Rights Centre, especially its Human Rights Delegation, and the Ombudsman of the Parliament form the independent mechanism.
Links
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A8. Official reporting
The first state report is due on 10 June 2018. The first draft is getting ready for comments.
Links
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A9. Shadow reporting
The Finnish Disability Forum has taken the initiative to write a shadow report in collaboration with the Human Rights Centre and the Finnish Society of Disability Research. It is currently under development.
Links
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B. General legal framework
B1. Anti-discrimination legislation
The Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014) promotes equality and prevents discrimination as well as enhances the protection provided by law to those who have been discriminated against. The act amended the old version (21/2004). People with disabilities are mentioned in section 15: 'Reasonable accommodation to realize equality of persons with disabilities'. The Constitution of Finland (731/1999) sets everyone equal before law and requires equal treatment.
Links
- Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014)
- The Constitution of Finland (731/1999)
- Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014), in English
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B2. Recognition of legal capacity
Recognition of legal capacity of persons with disabilities is mentioned in Finland’s Disability Policy Programme. A right to legal capacity of persons with disabilities is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. The Guardianship Services Act mentions that the legal capacity can be restricted in cases when the person cannot take care of himself/herself mostly in an economic sphere. The legislation regulates the trusteeship.
Links
- Guardianship Service Act (442/1999)
- Finland’s Disability Policy Programme 2010-2015: Final report
- The Act on Trusteeship
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B3. Accessibility of voting and elections
Participation is limited in Section 27 of the Constitution of Finland that states that people who are under guardianship may not be candidates in elections. Article L5 of the Electoral Code, Section 2 of the Election Act and Article L3211-3 (6) of the Public Health Code allow for full participation in voting. The Decision of the Ombudsman as of 6 May 2004 states that disabled persons' secrecy at the ballot must be ensured. This statement is grounded by Section 6 of the Constitution concerning securing equal treatment, as well as Section 14 of the Constitution, which refers to participation in substantive protection. The Ministry of Justice has produced guidelines on how to make sure that secrecy at the ballot for disabled persons is secured. Voting at the polling station is favoured in light of the new guidelines and the accessibility must be ensured. Otherwise, the voting secrecy must be ensured.
Links
- Constitution of Finland
- Finland supports implementation of voting rights of persons with disabilities
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B4. Official recognition of sign language
Basic recognition of Finnish sign language is covered in the Finnish legislation in the Constitution of Finland (731/1999). Section 17 states that the rights of persons using Sign Language and of persons in need of interpretation or translation assistance owing to disability shall be guaranteed. The Law on the Institute for the Languages of Finland (1403/2011) in Section 3 states that among the duties of the Institute for Languages of Finland is the co-ordination of the language planning of Finnish Sign Language. Section 4 states that there are language committees for Finnish, Swedish, Saami languages, Finnish Sign Language and Finnish Romani Language. The task of the committees is to give principled and general guidance in the languages. The Law on sign language (359/2015) in Section 2 states the generic linguistic rights of people who are using sign language in Finnish or in Finland’s Swedish. The law strengthens the rights and equality in different fields of administration (Section 4). The Finland Swedish sign language is threatened due to the small number of users and lack of education.
Links
- Law on the Institute for Languages of Finland
- Finnish Sign Language
- The Constitution of Finland
- Law on sign language (359/2015)
- The Government’s proposal to the Parliament for the law on sign language (HE 294/2014)
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B5. National disability strategy and action plan
The National Disability Strategy and action plan is included in the Finland's Disability Programme 2010-2015 (VAMPO). The VAMPO aimed to implement equality, non-discrimination and sufficient service and support to persons with disabilities. VAMPO was also published in plain language. In 2014 the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) published the second monitoring report on the Finland's Disability Programme 2010-2015 (VAMPO-seurantaraportti II). The first one was published in 2013. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health coordinates Finnish Disability Policy. However, a new programme has not been planned yet. Finland published an Action Plan on the UN CRPD in 2018 for the following two years: 2018-2019.
Links
- Finland's Disability Programme VAMPO
- VAMPO Monitoring Report I
- VAMPO Monitoring Report II
- Disability Policy
- Action Plan on the UNCRPD 2018-2019
- VAMPO in plain language
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C. Accessibility
C1. Transport accessibility
The Act for Public Transportation (869/2009) required in fourth section that 'the needs of different population groups have to be taken into account when defining the standard of service'. The sixth section mentioned examples of these population groups as follows: 'children, young people, women, men, elderly and disabled'. In section 48 the law stated that the holder of an operating permit has to define the quality of the service. Amongst other things, the permit holder needs to define the service and assistance available for disabled service users. The standard of service on the national level is defined by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Municipalities provide transport services to those who have severe disabilities causing exceptional mobility difficulties. A transport service may include an assistance service. This benefit is included in the Act on Disability Services. Decree 275/2010 states that government subsidies are given to municipalities to develop accessible public transportation. The Act on Services in Traffic (320/2017) came into effect on 1 July 2018 abolishing the previously existing Act for Public Transportation (869/2009). Finland launched a three-year trial period for the EU Disability Card. The first cards were issued in June 2018. The trial period will end in 2020. The cards issued during the trial will be valid until 2028. Persons with disabilities can use the card both in Finland and in other EU member states to prove their disability status or their need for assistance when, for example, travelling by public transport or participating in sports or culture events. A nominal fee of EUR 10 is charged when the card is issued. A list of service providers can be found on Vammaiskortti webpage.
Links
- Disability services and support – The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
- Act for Public Transportation (869/2009) in Finnish
- Transposition of the technical standards in decision of European Commission (2008/164/EY)
- The Handbook on Disability Services
- Act on Services in Traffic 320/2017 (in Finnish)
- How to apply EU Disability Card from Kela
- Vammaiskortti webpage
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C2. Built environment accessibility
The built environment accessibility is not included in the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014). In 2017, the Government accepted a new Act on Accessible Buildings (241/2017), which aims to make regulations on accessibility of buildings clearer and decrease regional differences. The Ministry of the Environment has also renewed its building regulations in 2017. In the Land Use and Building Act (132/1999) the objectives in land use planning are stated in the fifth section. The first of the eleven points to promote is: 'a safe, healthy, pleasant, socially functional living and working environment which provides for the needs of various population groups, such as children, older people and disabled people'. The Land Use and Building Decree (895/1999) contains more detailed regulations on accessibility in buildings. The Finnish Building Code provides more technical regulations and guidelines which apply to new constructions. Especially, sections F1 on 'Barrier-free Building', F2 on 'Safety in use of buildings' and G1 on 'Housing design' set the requirements to accessibility in both public buildings and private homes.
Links
- Land Use and Building Act (132/1999)
- Land Use and Building Decree (895/1999)
- Finnish Building Code
- Accessible Building Act (241/2017)
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C3. ICT and Web accessibility
The Finnish Parliament approved the Bill on ICT and web accessibility in their second reading on 12 February 2019. The official Act has not yet been published on the Book of Statutes (as of 5 March 2019). It regulates that web pages published after 23 September 2019 have to comply to the Directive (EU) 2016/2102 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2016 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications in the public sector by 23 September 2019. The web pages published before 23 September 2019 have to comply with the aforementioned Directive by 23 September 2020. All mobile applications have to comply with the directive by 23 June 2021.
Links
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D. Independent living
D1. Choice of living arrangements
Finland has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which obliges the states to ensure that people with disabilities can choose their place and type of residence as well as with whom they want to live on an equal basis with others. There is no legislation in Finland, which would determine living arrangements of persons with disabilities, there is only guidance.
Links
- Amendments of the Act on Home Municipality (1377/2010)
- Housing programme and strategy, Ministry of Environment
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D2. De-institutionalisation
In 2010, the Government of Finland decided that the number of people with intellectual disability living in institutions should be diminished from 2,000 to 500 people within the next five years (during 2010-2015). The government resolution on housing of people with intellectual disabilities of 21 January 2010 sets goals for a housing programme for intellectually disabled persons, namely:
- To manage a quick, but systematic and controlled decrease in the number of places of residence in institutions.
- To produce approximately 1,500 apartments for intellectually disabled people moving out of institutions and 2,100 apartments for adult intellectually disabled people moving away from their childhood homes.
- All of this adds up to 3,600 apartments for people with intellectual disabilities. The plan is to produce 600 apartments per year for six years.
This process received its confirmation in 2012, when the Government of Finland decided to close down all institutions for people with intellectual disability. The National plan on developing community living arrangements issued on 8 November 2012 sets as a national goal that by 2016 there should have been maximum 500 people living in institutions. There are approximately 40,000 people with intellectual disability in Finland. About 739 of them were still living in institutions at the end of 2017. In 2017, 173 children with intellectual disabilities were living in institutions.
The aim was that by 2020 no one lives in institutions, but it seems that this target will not be reached. De-institutionalisation is especially targeted to people with intellectual disabilities. People with other kind of disabilities rarely live in institutions and, for example, the statistics and indicator bank SOTKAnet does not separate any other disability groups living in institutions.
Links
- National plan on developing community living arrangements
- VAMPO Monitoring Report II
- Links to resolutions and other relevant documents
- Action plan for 2016-2020
- Statistics and indicator bank SOTKAnet, service of the National Institute for Health and Welfare
- Statistics of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (in Finnish)
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D3. Quality of social services
There are no Acts in Finland that require certain quality standards in social services for people with disabilities. The main steering and guidance concerning this issue is based on the Social Welfare Act (1301/2014), the Disability Services Act (380/1987) and the Law on Intellectual Disabilities (519/1977).
In May 2013, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health set up a working group with the task to combine the Disability Services Act (380/1987) and the Law on Intellectual Disabilities (519/1977) to a new Disability Act that would cover social services for people with all kinds of disabilities. The working group submitted its final report on 16 April 2015. Comments for the proposed bill were invited from stakeholders by July 2017. The Government presented the bill to the Parliament on 28 September 2018. The preliminary debate was in the plenary session of 02 October 2018. At the end of the debate, the Parliament referred the matter to the Social and Health Committee which has to consult the Constitutional Committee.
Links
- Social Welfare Act (1301/2014)
- Disability Services Act (380/1987)
- Law on Intellectual Disabilities (519/1977)
- Quality recommendations for assistive devices
- Quality recommendations for housing for people with intellectual disabilities
- The Government proposal (In Finnish)
- The progress of the legislative process
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D4. Provision of assistive devices at home
Assistive equipment and adaptations are included in public services for people with disabilities. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, ‘assistive devices are available from health centres or by referral from the assistive device units of health care districts. Assistive device services include instruction on use, renewal and maintenance. The services are free of charge. Assistive devices for use to help with social life and recreation are also available as a disability service from social welfare departments.’ Moreover, ‘people with severe disabilities are reimbursed for renovations made to their home and for devices installed at home, as well as for the costs of acquiring devices and equipment.’ Assistive devices are provided by local authorities. This service is based on the Disability Services Act, the Act on Housing Condition Improvement Grants for Special Groups (1281/2004) and the connected recommendations.
Links
- Services and Assistance for the Disabled Act
- Act on housing condition improvement of special groups
- Quality recommendations for assistive devices
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D5. Availability of personal assistance schemes
From 1 September 2009, an amendment to the Disability Services Act has granted all ‘severely’ disabled people, including people with intellectual disability, the legal right to have a personal assistant. A person is defined as ‘severely disabled’ if s/he needs, due to a long-term disability, on a regular basis, another person’s help in order to manage daily activities, studies, work, hobbies, social participation or to maintain social interaction. People whose needs for regular support are caused by ageing are not included in the scheme.
This legislative change introduced rights to personal assistance for domestic, social, educational and employment purposes, including a right to 30 hours per month to support recreation and social interaction. The act also underlines the importance of involving the disabled person in the assessment of need. The Bill was drafted through collaboration between the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Disability Forum. The change also offers a broader choice of services, including personal assistance under the person’s own control.
Links
- Personal assistance under persons own control (in Finnish), Työnantajamalli
- Disability Services Act (380/1987)
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D6. Income maintenance
The disability pension is available to eligible disabled people. The criterion for receiving the pension is an incapacity to work. Persons who have a permanent mobility disability or blindness always receive the full amount of this pension. The disability allowance is an alternative to the disability pension and is tax free. It is divided into three levels based on the degree of disability. The legislative basis for the disability pension is included in the National Pensions Act (568/2007). The maximum of the national pension in 2019 is EUR 628.85 per month (for a person living alone) and EUR 557.79 per month (for a person living in a relationship). Disabled people may also receive an earnings-related pension depending on their employment history. The national pension and work pension are combined if the work pension does not exceed the maximum amount of EUR 55 per month. In addition, it is possible to receive other allowances, such as a housing allowance, meals allowance, disability allowance or pensioners’ care allowance. People in rehabilitation programmes receive a rehabilitation benefit instead of the disability pension.
Links
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D7. Additional costs
According to the Disability Services Act, extra costs will be paid when a disability causes a need for special clothing or special diet.
Links
- Disability benefits available from The Social Insurance Institution in Finland
- Disability Services Act (380/1987)
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D8. Retirement income
The national pension is a basic income for persons who are entitled only to a very small earnings-related pension or to none at all. The national pension is paid by the Social Insurance Institution. National and earnings-related pensions systems do not exclude disabled persons, if they fulfill the criteria. Earnings-related pension rights are accrued through employment and self-employment. There are several earnings-related pension providers. To qualify for a national pension, any other pension or benefits received may not exceed a certain limit. The age limits for the disability pension is 16-64 years old and after that the disability pension is automatically converted into an old-age pension. The Act on Guarantee Pensions came into effect on 1 March 2011, introducing a guarantee pension, which is paid to persons whose other retirement incomes are under the amount of full guarantee pension. Furthermore, a pension reform was agreed on 20 November 2015 and it came into effect in the beginning of 2017. For example, the reform increases the pension age limit gradually from 63 to the age of 65.
Links
- The Social Insurance Institution - Pensions
- National Pensions Act (568/2007)
- Act on Earnings-related pensions (395/1961)
- Act on Guarantee Pensions (703/2010)
- Agreement on earnings-related pension for the year 2017
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E. Education
E1. Special schools
According to the Basic Education Act and its amendments on special education, municipal educational authorities guarantee school placement as nearest as possible to the child’s place of residence. It does not matter if a pupil has a disability or not. However, parents have THE right to choose another school, if they want. New amendments on special education include a range of types of educational support, where full-time special education is the strongest measure. This means that special education is usually arranged in mainstream schools and separate special schools are decreasing. Pupils needing special support at school are receiving it both in general and special education. Over half of these students are fully or partially integrated into general education groups.
Links
- Basic Education Act (628/1998) and amendments up to 1136/2010 (the newest translation)
- Statistics Finland on special support in schools 2016
- Recommendations on special support
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E2. Mainstream schools
The school system itself is not subjective to the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014). Basic Education Act (628/1998) has been amended (Amendment 642/2010) to provide support to disabled pupils. A pupil who has temporarily fallen behind with their studies or otherwise needs short-term support in learning shall be entitled to remedial teaching (Section 16). A pupil who has difficulties in learning or in going to school shall be entitled to part-time special-needs education. Section 16a on Enhanced support (Amendment 642/2010) provides for a learning plan devised for him or her, in collaboration with the pupil, the parent, the carer or, where necessary, some other legal representative of the pupil. Enhanced support shall be determined multi-professionally, based on a pedagogical assessment of the pupil welfare (Section 31a (1) and (2)). The education provider shall give a written account of the provision of special-needs support, to be reviewed at least by the second year class and before transfer to the seventh year class. The decision on special needs support shall determine the pupil's primary teaching group, possible interpretation and assistant services and other services where needed, such as exceptional teaching arrangements referred to above. Before a decision on special needs support is made, the education provider should also seek out written reports on the pupil’s progress.
Links
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E3. Sign language and Braille in school
Deaf and deaf-blind persons have the right to education in sign-language. This kind of teaching is organised in special classes or units of mainstream schools (see Basic Education Act 628/1998). Special attention is focused on culturally sensitive instruction.
Links
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E4. Vocational training
Vocational training providers are subject to the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014). The fifth section of the law requires that 'a person commissioning work or arranging training shall where necessary take any reasonable steps to help a person with disabilities to gain access to work or training, to cope at work and to advance in their career' (Non-Discrimination Act 21/2004). In determining what constitutes 'reasonable accommodation' the law directs attention to the costs of the measures that need to be taken, to the financial position of the training provider and to the availability of other funds. Vocational education and training are mainly the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. Key legislation consists of the Vocational Education and Training Act (531/2017), and the Act on the Financing of the Provision of Education and Culture (1705/2007). Vocational special education is stated in the Vocational Education and Training Act (531/2017) and it is mostly arranged in mainstream vocational schools with special curricula. There are also special schools for vocational education.
Links
- Vocational Education and Training Act
- Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014), amended
- Non-Discrimination Act (21/2004), old version
- The Ministry of Education and Culture, Finnish acts and decrees concerning education
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E5. Higher education
Universities are subject to the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014) the same way as vocational training providers. The word 'koulutus' translates both to 'training' and 'education', so they are not separated in the Non-Discrimination Act. Also the Constitution of Finland (731/1999) states in its sixth section that everyone is equal before the law. The 16th section set that the 'public authorities shall, as provided in more detail by an Act, guarantee for everyone equal opportunity to receive other educational services in accordance with their ability and special needs, as well as the opportunity to develop themselves without being prevented by economic hardship' (Finnish law 731/1999). Universities may make special arrangements for entrance examinations, campus accessibility and learning support, but they are not obliged to provide any special educational support. There are, however, examples of such support in some institutions. Several universities have also developed measures to promote accessibility of their educational provisions. Financial aid is available to all students in financial difficulty and rehabilitation allowances are payable to young disabled people in education but there is no specific, separate system of financial support for disabled students. There is not any legislation for physical arrangements at universities for disabled students, but there is a rehabilitation allowance for disabled students paid by the Social Insurance Institution, because this allowance helps the pathway to employment. This is stated in the Act on Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Financing Benefits.
Links
- Act on Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Financing Benefits (566/2005)
- The Constitution of Finland
- Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014)
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F. Employment
F1. Non-discrimination in employment
According to the Non-Discrimination Act (1325/2014), equality, work or training conditions must be arranged to help a person with disabilities 'to gain access to work or training, to cope at work and to advance in their career'. According to a report from the Finnish Institute for Occupational Health the main adaptations to workplaces are working times, ergonomic adaptations and the employee's own work planning. Since 2013 people with disabilities, who receive disability pension, have right to use the services of employment and economic offices because of the new Act on public employment and business service (916/2012). Its aim is to promote equality (Section 6) and non-discrimination (Section 7) in working-life as mentioned in the Non-Discrimination Act (Section 6(1)).
Links
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F2. Public employment services
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act (189/2001) and the Social Welfare Act (1301/2014) amending the Social Welfare Act 710/1982 include elements that support disabled persons to get jobs, although the focus is on the unemployed population in general. The main idea is to activate unemployed persons at the municipal level. Municipalities can organise activation activities themselves or they can purchase this function from outside organisations. Most municipalities have established foundations with enterprises and non-governmental organisations to fulfill this obligation. Public employment services have some services allocated to disabled people. These include, for example, vocational rehabilitation and wage subsidies. The Report on disability and employment services points out that the services are multifaceted and individually tailored and are therefore also rather variable. The Finnish term used (vajaakuntoinen or person with partial work ability) does not simply mean disabled people but includes also other people, for example, those who are temporarily not fully fit for work due to long-term sickness. The question of who belongs to these groups is not always clear.
The increasing numbers of disability pensioners is a special problem in Finland. Approximately 25,000 people retire on a disability pension every year. A new way to hold these people in the workforce is to develop special services to them. For instance, an operational programme to reintroduce people with partial work ability into the labour force has developed a concept for allowing people with partial work ability to continue working or to find employment. The objective is to ensure a seamless chain of services for people with partial work ability to enable them to continue working or to find employment. Either the employer or the local Employment and Economic Development Office is responsible for adopting these tools.
Links
- On disability and employment services (in Finnish): Vajaakuntoinen TE-toimiston asiakkaana
- Vocational Rehabilitation Act (189/2001)
- Social Welfare Act (1301/2014)
- Employee who have lost partial ability to work and their work agreement provisions (in Finnish)
- A government key project on career opportunity for people with partial work ability
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F3. Workplace adaptations
Through a Government Act on Public Employment Services (916/2012), the employer has the right to apply for a benefit for arranging the working conditions to enable the employment of a disabled person. Adaptations can cover necessary arrangements and new equipment to reduce the disadvantage in working conditions or hiring another employee to assist the disabled employee. Workplace adaptations are always means-tested. The benefit is limited to EUR 4,000 per person regarding adaptations and EUR 20 per hour for maximum 18 months in a case of a personally employed assistant. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland provides assistive devices needed to enable employment. Such devices may include, for example, video magnifiers, Braille displays or other computer equipment. The main adaptations at workplaces may concern working times, ergonomics and the employee’s own work planning. The employee receives subsidies for these adaptations. An employer employing a disabled employee can also get wage subsidies or other supports for organising the work for this employee.
Links
- Government Act on Public Employment Services (916/2012) (in Finnish)
- Vocational Rehabilitation of the Social Insurance Institute of Finland
- Assistive Devices of the Social Insurance Institute of Finland
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F4. Financial incentives
The employers employing a person with disabilities are entitled to different benefits also in the open labour market. The most common benefits are an employment subsidy and a subsidy for arrangement of the working conditions. Subsidy can also be granted for social enterprises, which support the employment of disabled people. The employment subsidy is regulated by the Act on Public Employment and Enterprise Services (916/2012), which also regulates the subsidy for the arrangement of working conditions.
Links
- Act on the Public Employment and Enterprise Services (916/2012)
- Guide to the employer for hiring a disabled or partially fit to work person
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G. Statistics and data collection
G1. Official research
There is no single institution or department especially responsible for research on disability equality or for the collection of relevant data and statistics. The National Disability Policy (VAMPO 2010-2015) included a key commitment that 'disability research shall be reinforced, the information base improved, and diversified high-quality methods developed in support of disability policy and monitoring'. The Finnish Society for Disability Research has been coordinating disability researchers and organises annual conferences. The Human Rights Centre is part of the monitoring mechanism of the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and appointed a staff dedicated to this work in 2016. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) publishes statistics on disability benefits and services (number of recipients, etc.). The National Institute for Health and Welfare publishes statistics on institutional care and housing and has been given the mandate to promote disability research. At the Åbo Akademi University there is an Institute for Human Rights that conducts research on disability equality. The first Finnish disability studies professorship was established with the support of organisations of persons with disabilities at the University of Helsinki. Disability Studies is part of the Department of Social Research, the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Helsinki. A Professor in disability studies was appointed for a five-years term (2013-2017). In 2017, the University of Helsinki decided to maintain this professorship position beyond 2017 and to make the position permanent. Dr Hisayo Katsui was appointed in this tenure track position in 2018 (first as Associate Professor).
Links
- Finland's Disability Policy Programme (VAMPO)
- Social insurance fund statistics (Kela)
- Institute for Human Rights
- Finnish Society for Disability Research
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G2. Census data
Finland has an accurate population registry system, thus censuses are in practice conducted by studying the registry, rather than as a separate project. Thus Finland does not run census questionnaires that would gather specific data on living conditions of different population groups like disabled people. The number of people who use disability services is recorded in official statistics. Statistics on disability benefits are provided by The Social Insurance Institution of Finland.
Links
- Statistics Finland - Census
- The Social Insurance Institution of Finland on statistics on disability benefits
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G3. Labour Force Survey
Finnish Labour Survey is conducted by Statistics Finland. It distinguishes people with partial work incapacity. The European Labour Force Survey ad hoc module in 2002 and 2012 included Finnish disabled people.
Links
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G4. Disability equality indicators
There are no specific disability equality indicators available.
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H. Awareness and external action
H1. Awareness raising programs
Assistentti-info is a nationwide network of personal assistance and information services, which produces educational materials. It is an umbrella organisation and network, which consists of civil society associations and local and nationwide public service organisations. The network is financed by the Finnish Slot Machine Association that is controlled by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The network’s main focus is on developing personal assistance. The DPO Threshold Association runs the network and its members are service providers, disability organisations and foundations. Assistentti-info is now controlled by disabled people and provides a national co-ordinating and information function, as well as raising awareness about personal assistance and independent living. Advice and legal support can also be provided to personal assistance users. The National Council of Disability (Valtakunnallinen vammaisneuvosto – VANE) is a governmental cooperative body for the development of social and public policy considering living conditions and equality of disabled people. In addition, the Association for People with Physical Disabilities (Invalidiliitto) organizes a web portal of accessibility (Esteetön.fi), which provides information, education and social campaigns. The Finnish Disability Forum, an umbrella organization of 31 DPOs, also constantly implements its awareness raising activities.
Links
- Assistentti-info
- Act on the National Council of Disability (2009/1648)
- Valtakunnallinen vammaisneuvosto – VANE
- Esteetön.fi (a web portal of accessibility)
- The Finnish Disability Forum
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H2. Training for teachers
In Finland inclusive teacher training is not organised in disability-oriented streams. The aim is to provide to all future teachers a range of knowledge and skills that they can apply in various settings and situations to arrange inclusive educational possibilities. This training is not focused on disability awareness, but on the opportunities for participation of students with special needs. The training in university education science program includes minimum 35 credits and maximum 50 credits, as defined by the Act on university degree on education or teacher qualifications (1995/576) in the section 14.
Links
- European Agency - country information
- Act on university degree on education or teacher qualifications (1995/576)
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H3. Training for lawyers
There is no obligation for law students to study disability awareness / equality issues as part of lawyers’ training, let alone involvement of disabled people in the training. In legal science studies, after training in the court of justice, practical training is voluntary.
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H4. Training for doctors
There is no obligation for medical students to study disability awareness / equality issues as part of doctors’ training, let alone involvement of disabled people in the training. The degree of licence of medicine includes a mandatory training from 4 to 16 weeks in clinical methods (at the University of Oulu).
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H5. Training for engineers
The Finnish Design for All (DfA) network is a member of the European Design for All eAccessibility Network EDeAN. It is an umbrella organisation and network, which has 39 members, including research institutions, universities and user organisations. This DfA network moved from the National Institute of Health and Welfare to the Accessibility Center (ESKE) of the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities and to AVAAVA in 2015.
There is no obligation for engineer students to study disability awareness / equality issues as part of engineers’ training, let alone involvement of disabled people in the training.
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H6. International development aid
Abilis Foundation and Disability Partnership Finland (DPF) are two partner organizations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in the field of disability among 22 partner non-governmental organizations. Abilis Foundation channels project grants to groups and organizations of persons with disabilities in the Global South, while DPF coordinates the programme of nine Finnish organizations of persons with disabilities working in the field of development cooperation. The Finnish government has been active in promoting disability rights in its international and development cooperation mainly through allocation of its official development aid to non-governmental organizations and also through international policy dialogue.
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