Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities - Invalidiliitto.fi

Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities

STARTING POINTS FOR ACTIVITIESDECISION-MAKING BODIES• FPD Rules• Policies of the General Council• UN Convention on the Rights of Personswith DisabilitiesThe highest power of decision in the FPD is held by theGeneral Council, which has 56 members. The GeneralCouncil is elected by a vote of the Association which isheld every four years. The election is conducted bypostal vote.The General Council elects the Board of the FPD,comprising the Chair (Chair of the FPD), two Vicechairsand ten members.FINANCESFinancing of FPD activities is primarily basedon grants from the Finnish Slot Machine Associationand on the support of businesses andprivate individuals. Service operation earningsare used to cover related costs. Earnings derivefrom service charges received from municipalities,hospital districts, the Social InsuranceInstitution and insurance companies.EARNINGSRehabilitation services 42 %Asset sales 8,8 %Subsidies 4,2 %Rental income 5,8 %Fund-raising 5 %Accommodationservices 34,2 %

ORGANIZATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIESOrganizational workThe operating idea in organizationalwork is the empowerment of peoplewith disabilities and the securingof opportunities for equality. Tasksinclude exerting social influence,safeguarding the viability of memberassociations, regional activities, trainingand counselling.Organizational work is coordinatedby the FPD’s Organizational and SocialActivities Department. The FPD comprises165 member associations madeup of 34,000 individual members.Regional activitiesRealization of the opportunities forequality for people with disabilities ismade more efficient through regionalactivities in conjunction with memberassociations operating in the area andwith other regional actors. Support isgiven at the same time to the region’scollective membership activities.Methods used in regional activitiesinvolve networking, discussion forums,training, dissemination of information,and joint leisure activities.The country is divided into eightFinnish-speaking and two Swedishspeakingregions.Member associationsA person may join as a full member ofa member association if he or she hasa permanent musculoskeletal disability,or is the legal guardian of a childunder 15 years of age with a mobilitydisability.The aims of member associations are:• to function as a link for people witha permanent disability• to foster opportunities for peoplewith a disability to function as equaland empowered citizens• to promote the fulfilment of rightsfor people with a disability• to maintain and develop the functionalcapabilities of people with adisabilityMembership provides:• counselling and training• opportunities for cultureand creativity• exercise and recreation• companionship and peer support• trips and outings• membership benefits• IT magazineMember associations of the FPD alsobelong to the Finnish Association ofSports for the Disabled.Organizational trainingThe aim of the FPD’s organizationaltraining is the improvement of thequality of life of its membership, theraising of awareness, and the upkeepand reform of the FPD’s operationalpreparedness.The FPD’s members and other interestedparties are provided with regionaltraining days and nationwide courses,seminars and consultation days. Anumber of seminars are targeted atprofessionals and decision-makers.

Youth workThe FPD also functions as an organizationfor young people with mobilitydisabilities, providing social influences,services and companionship. The aimis to encourage young people at theearliest possible age to work for theirown rights.The youth working group INTO isresponsible for the development, implementationand coordination of FPDyouth work. Courses and meetings foryoung people form an essential partof youth work, allowing young peopleto socialize and exchange opinions,and bringing home to them the importanceof social activities, as well asthe aims of organizational activities.INTO works in close cooperation withother actors in the field of disabilityand youth work. The Finnish Associationof Sports for the Disabled is anatural partner of the FPD in youthwork. An example of cooperation withother organizations for people with adisability is the work conducted in theYouth Cooperation Group of Organizationsof the Disabled (VNY).The youth cooperation group TheWeb (Seitti) is a joint project involvingfive associations for people withmusculoskeletal disabilities (FPD, theFinnish Neuromuscular Disorders Association,the Finnish MS Society, theFinnish CP Association and the FinnishRheumatism Association). The rolesfor operational design and implementationon The Web are filled by youngpeople.More information: www.seittiweb.org.FPD youth are also actively involved inAllianssi. The Finnish Youth CooperationAllianssi is an interest organizationfor youth work nationwide.Social activitiesThe FPD influences planning and decision-makingconcerned with peoplewith a disability, on a local, regionaland national basis. The FPD keepspeople with a disability abreast ofimportant concerns and distributesinformation on disability and therights of people with a disability.Focus areas in social activities:• safeguarding of basic and disabilityservices• the right of people with a disabilityto education, employment and anadequate incomePeer support activitiesPeer support is one of the centralpillars of FPD activities and thoseof its member associations.Peer support involves people witha disability and their close relativesbeing ready to assist and supportothers on the basis of their ownexperiences.Peer support is always voluntary,reciprocal and free of charge.International activitiesThe FPD’s international work involves• influencing the promotion of humanrights and non-discriminationin international disability policiesin Europe and elsewhere• communicating topical items ofinternational disability policy toits membership• playing an active role in internationaldisability organizations• participating in European networks,joint initiatives and action programmes• being involved in developmentcooperation projects in South EastAfrica• fostering the internationalizationof FPD member associations.

SERVICES10Käpylä Rehabilitation CentreThe task of FPD’s Käpylä RehabilitationCentre is to complement the publicservice system with rehabilitationservices for people who have a spineor brain injury caused through accidentor illness.Rehabilitation services comprise individualrehabilitation sessions, rehabilitationcourses and programmes,and outpatient services. The nucleusof activities constituting the platformof service and expertise is knowledgeof the special questions posed by personswith neurological disabilities, andmulti-professional rehabilitation.Rehabilitation methods are continuallyassessed and developed at the rehabilitationcentre, alongside researchwork and the monitoring of the latestresearch data in the field.Staff comprises physiatric and neurologyspecialists, nurses, basic carers,physiotherapists, occupational therapistsand speech therapists, psychologists,neuropsychologists, social workers,rehabilitation assistants, movementinstructors, work therapists, leisureinstructors, peer rehabilitatorsand support service personnel.Since 2002 the rehabilitation centrehas been located in new accessibleoffice space in the Synapsia building.There are 75 rehabilitation places atthe centre. Some rooms are fitted withenvironmental control devices.Lahti Rehabilitation CentreFPD’s Lahti Rehabilitation Centre providesand develops the kind of rehabilitationservices which support thelives of people with a disability andtheir close relatives in their home andliving environment as equal and independentmembers of society. LahtiRehabilitation Centre provides rehabilitationservices at the national level.The range of services offers supportfor people through their entire lifecycle. Service provision embraces preparationcourses in rehabilitation andadaptation, individual rehabilitation,temporary care, outpatient rehabilitationand holiday activities.The provision and development ofrehabilitation services is in the handsof multi-professional rehabilitationteams. Areas of special expertise liein overall rehabilitation concernedwith people with a severe disability,families, and people belonging torare musculoskeletal disability groups.The basic needs of rehabilitants arecatered for through rehabilitation andinstruction enabling safe participationin all activities.Accessible and controllable spaces,up-to-date equipment and an easilytraversable environment permit therehabilitant to function independently.Rare Disabilities UnitFPD’s Rare Disability Unit at the LahtiRehabilitation Centre is a nationalcentre for groups of people with raremusculoskeletal disabilities and illnesses.The unit functions as part of thenational Rare Diseases Network consistingof ten specialist units from differentorganizations.Here the term “rare disability” or “illness” refers to an incidence of lessthan 100 per million inhabitants. TheRare Diseases Network particularlytargets the kind of disability or illnesswhich presents a constant impedimentto many everyday activities.Counselling and instruction, diagnosticguides, the Harava magazine, and materialcontaining first-hand information,are all available from the FPD’sRare Disabilities Unit. The unit organizescurrent events, theme days, seminars,and peer and support action forpeople afflicted by a rare illness, theirfamilies, for experts and for servicesystems. The unit makes its expertiseavailable for rehabilitation and adaptationpreparation courses organizedby the rehabilitation centre. The unitis also involved in cooperation withthe various organizations of rare diseasediagnosis groups at both nationaland international level.

Lapland Rehabilitation CentreThe FPD’s Lapland RehabilitationCentre functions as a provider andexpert for the Lapland region regardingrehabilitation services that demandmulti-professional expertise.The rehabilitation centre principallyprovides the rehabilitation and expertservices required by the Province ofLapland and develops them accordingto the region’s needs.Rehabilitation services include rehabilitationboth during the acute postillness/injurystage and subsequentmedical rehabilitation in order tomaintain functional capacity, rehabilitationcourses tailored to specificillness groups, rehabilitation for theelderly, and rehabilitation services forprofessionals of working age.The content of rehabilitation activitiesemphasizes learning through experienceand the rehabilitant’s empoweringapproach to rehabilitation.Rehabilitation instructionThe task of the FPD’s rehabilitation instructorsincludes supporting the opportunityfor people with a mobilitydisability to function independently ineveryday life. The nucleus of the workis the home visit, whose purpose is theassessment of the person with a disabilityand his or her family in termsof the overall situation, assistance andservice needs.Rehabilitation instruction services arefree of charge. The FPD has rehabilitationinstructors operating in four hospitaldistricts:• Joint Authority for the HospitalDistrict of Etelä-Savo• Joint Authority for the HospitalDistrict of Kanta-Häme• Joint Municipal Authority forHealthcare and Social Welfarein Päijänne Tavastia• Joint Authority for the HospitalDistrict of Pohjois-SavoJärvenpää Training CentreThe FPD’s Järvenpää Training Centreis a vocational special education institution.The training centre providesthose in need with specialist supportin vocational basic education and furthereducation in the fields of technologyand transport, culture, naturalsciences, and business and administration.The training centre also organizestraining and instruction in preparationand rehabilitation for a diverse rangeof vocational study, as well as trainingand instruction in preparation for employmentand an independent life.The training, rehabilitation and supportservices and forms of study providedby the rehabilitation centre areparticularly suitable for persons witha musculoskeletal disability, as well asfor other young people and adults inneed of special education or circumstances.A personal plan relating to theorganization of study is drawn up foreach student. Rehabilitation centre activitiesare founded on the idea of allhaving the opportunity for equal functioningand participation in study, employmentand independent life.The Järvenpää Training Centre alsofunctions as a centre for developmentand services in special education, organizingand providing expert servicessuch as educational experiments, specialistlectures, consultations and instructionin matters relating to specialeducation.12

Service dog activitiesThe FPD has been involved in service dogactivities since 1994. The service dog is intendedfor people with a mobility disabilitywho are active and fond of dogs. Oncetraining — funded by the Finnish Slot MachineAssociation — is complete, the servicedogs are handed over to their newowners free of charge. Owners need onlypay for the upkeep of their dogs.13

CommunicationsVisitors of the FPD websitewww.invalidiliitto.fi can obtaininformation, for example, aboutmobility disabilities and about thediverse range of activities and servicesthe FPD provides. Experts will provideanswers to your questions relating todisability services through the Ask theExperts section. FPD publications canalso be ordered via the website.The FPD implements a number ofmedia campaigns each year, for theprevention of accidents caused byslippery conditions during the winter,for example, and for the preventionof cycle and motorcycle accidents.These campaigns, involving thepreparation of supporting informationmaterial and web pages, are visible ata variety of events around the country.Fund-raisingFrom the date it was founded the FPDhas been funded by donations frombusiness and private individuals.Each year the FPD organizes a numberof direct marketing and telephonecollections. Support for FPD activitiescan also take the form of purchases ofFPD products from the online shop(www.invapuoti.fi).Fund-raising is divided into collectionpermit activities and product salesachieved by Invatieto Oy, a companywholly-owned by the FPD.IT magazineIT Magazine (Disability Work) is theFPD members’ magazine and Finland’sleading special interest group journalin the field of disability.IT is a sturdy 80-page informationpack for all people with a mobilitydisability and their immediate families,as well as for all disability professionals.There are 10 issues per year. Inaddition to a wealth of factual articlesthe magazine includes personalprofiles and recreational items.IT Magazine can also be viewed onthe Internet at www.it-lehti.fi. Themagazine is available as audio mediafor people with impaired vision orwho are visually challenged.16

INVALIDILIITON ASUMISPALVELUT OY(Housing Services)Invalidiliiton Asumispalvelut Oy (HousingServices) is a nationwide serviceprovider, producing and developingfirst-rate accommodation services forpeople with a disability, as well as supportservices fostering independencein their housing and way of life.Service houses located in various partsof the country provide the kind ofassistance that enables everyday lifefor its customers to run as smoothlyas possible. Customers have the opportunityto avail themselves of mealand sauna services as well as communalareas. The services of an assistantare available around the clock. Accommodationtrials, day and holidayactivities, and other accommodationsupport services are also available.The product name for services providedby Invalidiliiton Asumispalvelut Oyis Validia Services.Validia Services• Validia Services Iisalmi• Validia Services Joensuu• Validia Services Jyväskylä• Validia Services Kajaani• Validia Services Kokkola• Validia Services Kuopio• Validia Services Kuusankoski• Validia Services Lahti• Validia Services Mikkeli• Validia Services Oulu• Validia Services Pori• Validia Services Metropolitan Region• Validia Services Rovaniemi• Validia Services Tampere• Validia Services Turku• Validia Services VaasaINVITAInvita (Inva-apuväline Oy) markets arange of aids enabling customers tocope more easily with mobility, accommodationand daily activity. Theextensive range covers the needs ofall, from children to the elderly.The company imports products fromthe world’s leading manufacturers.The service includes product maintenanceas well as tailoring of productsto suit individual requirements.Invalidiliiton Asumispalvelut Oy (Housing Services) and Invita belong to the FPD Group.17

HEAD OFFICEREHABILITATION UNITSAFFILIATED COMPANIESFinnish Association of Peoplewith Physical DisabilitiesMannerheimintie 107FI-00280 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 613 191Fax +358 9 1461 443www.invalidiliitto.fifpd@invalidiliitto.fiManaging Director Raimo LindbergFinancial Director Juha KotikangasOrganizational and SocialActivities DepartmentOrganizational Activities ManagerMarja PihnalaRehabilitation DepartmentRehabilitation ManagerHeidi LindbergContact person forrehabilitation instructionHélène StjernschantzCommunications DepartmentCommunications ManagerSinikka RantalaFund-raising DepartmentCollections Manager Petri ÄikiäAccounts DepartmentAccounts Manager Kim AlmKäpylä Rehabilitation CentreNordenskiöldinkatu 18 BFI-00250 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 777 071Fax +358 9 794 734Lapland Rehabilitation CentrePorokatu 32FI-96400 RovaniemiTel. +358 16 3329 111Fax +358 16 3329 293Lahti Rehabilitation CentreLauneenkatu 10FI-15100 LahtiTel. +358 3 812 811Fax +358 3 7830 250Järvenpää Training CentreMannilantie 27-29, P. O. Box 46FI-04401 JärvenpääTel. +358 9 292 011Fax +358 9 2920 1270Kuntoinva JärvenpääMannilantie 27-29FI-04400 JärvenpääTel. +358 9 288 882SEESAM VocationalRehabilitationKumpulantie 1 AFI-00520 HelsinkiTel. +358 40 5895 299Fax +358 9 1461 205SEESAM WorkshopTel. +358 9 7562 870Fax +358 9 1461 205Jyväskylä WorkAssessment ClinicVarikontie 4FI-40340 JyväskyläTel. +358 14 3384 100Fax +358 14 3384 101Kuopio Work Assessment ClinicPuijonkatu 19 B 4th floorFI-70100 KuopioTel. +358 17 2887 250Fax +358 17 2887 255Invalidiliiton Asumispalvelut OyMannerheimintie 107FI-00280 HelsinkiTel. / switchboard +358 9 613 191Managing Director Risto HämäläinenUNITSValidia Services IisalmiKirkonsalmentie 2FI-74120 IisalmiTel. +358 17 816 121Fax +358 17 816 763Validia Services JoensuuMerimiehenkatu 36FI-80100 JoensuuTel. +358 13 226 460Fax +358 13 316 998Validia Services JyväskyläRusokinkatu 1FI-40100 JyväskyläTel. +358 14 3347 100Fax +358 14 3347 110Validia Services KajaaniKasakankuja 4FI-87100 KajaaniTel. +358 8 6332 3602Fax +358 8 6130 893Validia Services KokkolaProperty DepartmentProperty Manager Jukka SeppäläPersonnel ManagerKatriina LarvamoDevelopment CoordinatorTuija MäkeläMetsonkuja 8FI-67800 KokkolaTel. +358 6 8326 700Fax +358 6 8221 170

Validia Services KuopioSavonkatu 16FI-70110 KuopioTel. +358 17 2887 280Fax +358 17 2620 546Day CentreTiihottarentie 4FI-70500 KuopioTel. +358 17 288 7291Fax +358 17 2632 298Validia Services KuusankoskiItäinen Linjapuisto 11FI-45700 KuusankoskiTel. +358 5 757 4400Fax +358 5 757 4416Validia Services LahtiHeinäkatu 1FI-15140 LahtiTel. +358 3 883 070Fax +358 3 8830 720Validia Services MikkeliKiiskinmäenkatu 4FI-50130 MikkeliTel. +358 15 3201 720Fax +358 15 362 808Validia Services OuluKaislatie 1 AFI-90160 OuluTel. +358 8 339 012Fax +358 8 339 092Validia Services PoriUusikoivistontie 38FI-28130 PoriTel. +358 2 6307 700Fax +358 2 6350 066Validia ServicesMetropolitan RegionRuusuhelmenkatu 1FI-00960 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 343 6270Fax +358 9 3436 2720Validia Services RovaniemiPohjolankatu 14–16FI-96100 RovaniemiTel. +358 16 3421 874Fax +358 16 3421 280Validia Services TampereInsinöörinkatu 12FI-33720 TampereTel. +358 3 3143 7111Fax +358 3 3180 263Validia Services TurkuHippoksentie 29FI-20720 TurkuTel. +358 2 2848 700Fax +358 2 2364 509Validia Services VaasaKäsityöläiskatu 10–14FI-65200 VaasaTel. +358 6 3195 900Fax +358 6 3123 289-------------------------------------Invatieto OyMannerheimintie 107FI-00280 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 613 191Invita(Inva-apuväline Oy)Mannerheimintie 107FI-00280 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 229 540Medimaster OyMannerheimintie 107FI-00280 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 229 540Kuulo Inva OyKumpulantie 7 AFI-00520 HelsinkiTel. +358 9 229 5450Fax +358 9 146 4868

Invalidiliiton asiantuntijat ja koulutetutvapaaehtoiset vastaavat vammaispalvelujakoskeviin kysymyksiin numerossa0200 1234ma 13-17 • ti 10-16 • ke 13-16 • to 13-16Invalidiliitto ry / Invalidförbundet rf / Finnish association of people with physical disabilitiesMannerheimintie 107 / Mannerheimvägen 107, FI-00280 Helsinki / Helsingfors, FinlandPuh. / Tel. +358 9 613 191, faksi / telefax +358 9 146 1443www.invalidiliitto.fi