The Helsinki Council on Disability wants to promote the equality and participation of disabled and chronically ill residents. The council provides opinions on matters that affect the following aspects in the lives of persons with disabilities:
- Health and wellbeing
- Inclusion and ability to participate in decision-making
- Living environment and housing
- Mobility and services
The Council on Disability is a body intended for cooperation and advocacy with members from the following groups:
- Associations for persons with chronic illnesses and disabilities in Helsinki
- Representatives of City of Helsinki council groups
- Specialists from different divisions of the city
The Council on Disability influences political decision-makers and officials preparing matters in the city by:
- Issuing statements and proposals on the preparation of decisions affecting the lives of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses
- Monitoring the provision of services for persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses
The City Board appoints the Council on Disability for a term of two years. The appointment decision made on 21 August 2023 is available here .
Tasks of the Council on Disability
The purpose of the Council on Disability is to ensure that disabled and chronically ill residents will be able to participate in and influence decision-making by:
- Highlighting the perspective of persons with disabilities and their families through presentations, statements and opinions
- Ensuring that the city takes care of the adequacy and suitability of services to people with different kinds of disabilities and chronic illnesses
- Promoting communication on services and participation
- Promoting cooperation between the City of Helsinki and organisations working with persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses
Members of the Council on Disability for the 2023–2025 term
| Member | Debuty member |
|
Helsingin kuuloyhdistys ry Taru Reinikainen taru.reinikainen(a)helky.fi |
Martin Aro, Helsingin Kuurojen Yhdistys ry |
|
Helsingin ja Uudenmaan Näkövammaiset ry Senni Hirvonen senni.hirvonen93(a)gmail.com |
Juhani Kaasinen |
|
Helsingin Invalidien Yhdistys ry Markku Poikela markku(a)poikela.fi |
Viktoria Welling |
|
Helsingin ja Uudenmaan neuroyhdistys ry Ari Österberg ari.osterberg(a)gmail.com |
Jan Huopainen |
|
Kehitysvammatuki 57 ry Sari Sepponen II vice-chairman, sari.h.sepponen(a)gmail.com
|
Johanna Vuori-Karvia, PAUT ry |
|
Pääkaupunkiseudun Hengitys ry Sirpa Halmela sirpa.halmela(a)elisanet.fi |
Eeva Palmroos |
|
Helsingin Reumayhdistys ry Mikko Remes |
Anna-Kaarina Kairamo |
|
Helsingin Mielenterveysyhdistys HELMI ry Päivi Seila seilapivi(a)gmail.com |
Eveliina Lafghani |
|
Vammaisten lasten ja nuorten Tukisäätiö sr Peppi Santaniemi peppi.santaniemi(a)vamlas.fi
|
Ilari Kousa |
|
Kynnys ry Susanna Haapala susanna(a)assistentti.info |
Matti Koikkalainen |
| Member | Debuty member |
|
Chairperson of the Council on Disability Sirpa Puhakka, (Left Alliance) sirpa.puhakka(a)pp2.inet.fi , puh: 045 7731 3000 |
Orjo Pättiniemi |
|
Kristiina Karhos The Greens, kristiina.karhos(a)gmail.com
|
Vesa Virri |
|
Jari Mönkkönen The National Coalition party, jari.monkkonen(a)gmail.com |
Jaana Argillander |
|
Eva-Maria Asukas SDP evamaria.asukas(a)gmail.com |
Mika Taberman |
|
Marko Joensuu perussuomalaiset marko.joensuu65(a)gmail.com |
Riikka Virta |
| Specialist | Substitute |
|
Kulttuuri- ja vapaa-ajan toimiala kehittämisasiantuntija Tiina Larva tiina.larva(a)hel.fi, puh: 09 3108 5918
|
suunnittelija Sini Perho |
|
Kaupunkiympäristön toimiala esteettömyysasiamies Pirjo Tujula
|
yleiskaavasuunnittelija Satu Tarula |
|
Sosiaali- ja terveystoimiala Manager of social work for the disabled Jonna Weckström jonna.weckstrom(a)hel.fi, |
Senior planning officer Pirkko Excell |
|
Kasvatuksen ja koulutuksen toimiala oppimisen tuen yksikön päällikkö Maria Tauriainen maria.tauriainen(a)hel.fi, puh: 040 7022393 |
Pedagogical specialist Mari Silvennoinen |
|
Kaupunginkanslia Special planner Mauno Rönkkö mauno.ronkko(a)hel.fi, puh. 09 3103 6279
|
Senior specialist Tommi Sulander |
Meetings of the Council on Disability
The spring 2025 meetings of the Council on Disability will be held on 23 April, 14 May and 11 June.
Memoranda for meetings of the Council on Disability starting from 2021 are available below.
(The memoranda, only in Finnish, for each year and links to the memoranda.)
Statements and opinions of the Council on Disability
Statements and opinions of the Council on Disability starting from 2022 (only in Finnish).
Activities and annual reports of the Council on Disability
(only in Finnish)