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Welcome to Finland

Euro

Currency in Finland

Today’s Weather

Sunny 7 °C
humidity 44% wind speed 14.47kph
Time 04:26 PM

Thursday

Basic Country Profile

Finland Google Map

Location: In Northern Europe, between Sweden and Russia
Population: 5.5 million
Capital: Helsinki
Major languages: Finish and Swedish
Major religion: Christianity
Currency: Euro
Terrain: mostly flat
Climate: Cold long winters and short cool summers
Dial code: +358
Time zone: GMT+3
Emergency numbers:
112 is the only emergency number used in Finland for ambulance, police and fire brigade

Disability Legislations and Policies

Disabled women in electric wheelchair in Helsinki
Photo: Sergey Kozienko / Shutterstock.com

Finland ratified the CRPD on 11 May 2016. The Parliamentary Ombudsman protects, promotes and monitors CRPD implementation within the limits of his or her specific competence. The Ombudsman’s tasks include overseeing legality in the exercise of public authority and supervising (protecting) the implementation of fundamental and human rights.

Public services and a barrier-free environment are designed for everyone. When general services prove insufficient, special ones are arranged – such as services concerning housing, assistive devices, transport and interpretation.

The aim is to support the working and functional capacity of people with disabilities and their individual autonomy. Municipally organised services and support enable people with disabilities to cope with every-day life.

Key areas of participation and inclusion the Social Welfare Act 1301/2014 (Finlex)
The Disability Services Act 380/1987 (Finlex) (in Finnish)
The law on Intellectual Disabilities 519/1977 (Finlex) (in Finnish)

Travel Related Information

Recent years have seen some important leaps forward, as many Finnish cities, cultural and tourist destinations are stepping up to the challenge to create sustainable services for all users, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age.

Bigger cities particularly are quite well in step with accessibility issues and people with mobility disabilities are a regular part of the street view. Helsinki, a city of endless seaside views and green parks, is particularly easy to navigate with a wheelchair. Despite the presence of numerous cobbled streets many touristic destinations, events, museums and theatres are accessible. For more information, visit https://www.visitfinland.com

For accessible hotels in Finland, go to www.disabledholidays.com

Accessible public transport in Helsinki, go to www.hsl.fi

Useful Links

Tram
Public transport system tram in Helsinki, Finland.

Jumbo Shopping Centre in Vantaa
www.jumbo.fi

Pajulahti – Centre for Adapted Physical Activity
www.pajulahti.com

Accessible Outdoor Destinations
www.outdoors.fi

Accessible Turku Castle
www.turku.fi

Accessible Husky Safaris
www.capelapland.com

Accessible Nature Trails near Rovaniemi, Lapland
www.etiainen.fi

Physical Accessibility at the Science Centre Arktikum
www.arktikum.fi