Disability

Everyone has the right to an equal life and to participate in society irrespective of any disability. Local authorities are responsible for providing the services required by the disabled and for helping disabled people to cope in their home environment.

Different groups of disabled people need different types of help depending on the type of disability. Rehabilitation, education and help with daily life are available to all disabled people. KELA can advise on financial support intended for the disabled.

A written application must normally be made to the local authority when applying for services. The social welfare worker responsible for services for the disabled can give guidelines on applying for municipal services and help with applications.

Special organisations for the disabled provide help and advice and a way of making the voices of the disabled heard.

• National council on disability
  The National Council on Disability is an co-operative organ for authorities, disability organisations and organisations for relatives of disabled people.
  
  http://www.vane.to/english.html
  National Council on Disability
• Indipendent Living - Challenge for Disability Policy
  Disability policy, rehabilitation and aids, entitlement to benefits, services for children and families, disability organisations and contact data.
  
  http://pre20031103.stm.fi/english/pao/publicat/paocontents14.htm
  Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Allowances and rights

Disabled people have the right to live a normal life irrespective of their disability. Disability allowance is paid to disabled people aged 16-64. The allowance is intended as financial compensation if a disability causes special costs or the need for help. Disability allowance and advice on how to apply for it are available from KELA. In addition to disability allowance, support for informal care and special services may be available from local authorities.

• Disability allowance
  Disability allowance for children under 16. Disability allowance for disabled or chronically ill persons aged 16 years or over.
  
  http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/NET/130608122240HS?OpenDocument
  Social Insurance Institution of Finland Kela
• Services for people with disabilities
  The responsibilities of municipalities in social welfare for the disabled; rehabilitation and assistive devices, special care for handicapped people, family care allowance.
  
  http://www.stm.fi/en/social_and_health_services/social_services
  Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
• Pensioners' care allowance
  Pensioners' care allowance is intended to make it possible for pension recipients with an illness or disability to live at home, as well as to promote home care and to reimburse pension recipients for extra costs caused by illness or disability.
  
  http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english.nsf/NET/110806122436AK?openDocument
  Social Insurance Institution of Finland Kela

Services for the disabled

Local authorities are responsible for providing sheltered housing and supported housing for disabled people who require it. People with musculoskeletal disabilities have access to technical aids for getting about, rehabilitation and many types of services that help people cope at home. Transport and assistance services are also available for the disabled.

• Services for people with mobility disorders
  Rehabilitation (medical rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation), projects, community and construction planning.
  
  http://www.invalidiliitto.fi/portal/en/
  Finnish Association of People with Mobility Disabilities

Services for mentally handicapped people

Mentally handicapped people may need help in daily life with communication just as much as with housework, getting about or with writing skills, depending on the severity of their disability. A range of services are available for handicapped people including special rehabilitation, technical aids, adaptation training together with day care and schooling solutions. Different kinds of housing services from supported housing to sheltered housing are also available.

• Services for the mentally retarded
  A good life for people with disabilities. Information on research, training and development; teaching materials.
  
  http://kehitysvammaliitto.fi/en/
  Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities FAIDD
• Mental retardation
  Information and links on rights, services, symptoms and so on for people with disabilities.
  
  http://www.saunalahti.fi/kup/engl/finmr.htm
  Parent Organisation of Mentally Handicapped Children in Uusimaa

Services for people with hearing and speaking disabilities

Local authorities are responsible for providing help and support for the disabled, although organisations in the sector also provide special services. People with hearing and speaking disabilities have the right to receive the interpreting services they require. There are technical aids for communication meant for those with speaking disabilities, as well as, for example, technical aids meant for computers. These aids are primarily the responsibility of municipal social welfare and health care.

There are interpreting and other services for people who use sign language. The hard of hearing and those becoming deaf may need, for example, individual hearing aids or noise protection at work and in their leisure time.

• Speech and language impairments
  Information for persons with speech impairments and users of plain language.
  
  http://www.papunet.net/english/info.en.php
  Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities FAIDD
• Services for the deaf
  Information about activities, sign languages and study opportunities for the deaf.
  
  http://www.kl-deaf.fi/en-GB/
  Finnish Association of the Deaf
• Services for hard of hearing and deafened people
  Support and services for hard of hearing and deafened people and their families.
  
  http://www.kuuloliitto.fi/fin/in_english/
  Federation of Hard of Hearing

Services for visually impaired

The visually impaired may need different kinds of help and rehabilitation to help them cope with daily life, and the services provided for them include guidance with daily skills, low vision rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training using technical aids, and advice on employment and professional rehabilitation.

• Services for the visually impaired
  Rehabilitation to senior citizens, children and adults who are blind or partially sighted.
  
  http://www.nkl.fi/yleista/english.htm
  Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired

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