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 18th 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 in Helsinki.
The Council on Disability:
- ensures that services in Helsinki are developed with regard to their adequacy and suitability for people with disabilities and long-term illnesses
- monitors that services in Helsinki take into account availability and accessibility
- highlights the perspective of people with disabilities and long-term illnesses
- drafts proposals, statements and opinions to other actors in the City
- promotes cooperation between the City of Helsinki and associations for people with long-term illnesses and disabilities
- promotes communications concerning services and opportunities for participation.
Members of the Council on Disability for the 2025–2027 term
| Member | Debuty member |
|
Liisa Syväsalmi-Boll
Helsingin Kuurojen Yhdistys ry |
Kirsti Kutila
Helsingin Kuuloyhdistys ry |
|
Sigrun Bessadottir
Helsinki and Uusimaa Visually Impaired Association |
Timo Lehtonen
The Finnish Deafblind Association |
|
Kristiina Karhos
Helsingin Invalidien Yhdistys ry |
Raila Riikonen
Uudenmaan Lihastautiyhdistys ry |
| Ari Österberg Helsingin ja Uudenmaan neuroyhdistys ry |
Iiman Hussein Autismiyhdistys PAUT ry |
|
Sari Sepponen
Kehitysvammatuki 57 ry |
Henrik Hahnsson
De Utvecklingsstördas Väl i Mellersta Nyland rf |
|
Annukka Lehtonen
Helsingin Allergia- ja Astmayhdistys ry |
Sirpa Halmela
Pääkaupunkiseudun Hengitys ry |
|
Mikko Remes
Helsingin Reumayhdistys ry |
Lise-Lotte Rautio-Murros
Helsingin Sydänyhdistys ry |
|
Päivi Nikula
Mielenterveysyhdistys Etappi ry |
Eveliina Lafghani
Taiteen sulattamo ry |
|
Aida Abdelgayed
Neurominority Activists |
Saila Lähdesmäki
Uudenmaan CP-yhdistys ry |
|
Susanna Haapala
Threshold Association |
Threshold Association |
| Member | Debuty member |
|
Chairperson of the Council on Disability Sirpa Puhakka, |
Jenive Mansikkamäki |
|
Arzu Caydam-Lehtonen, II vice-chairman, SDP |
Jere Lehtoniemi |
|
Sari Menna The National Coalition party |
Jim Koskinen |
|
Erkki Helo SDP |
Christa Pessi |
|
Jan Huopainen The Greens |
Julia Liljegren |
| Specialist | Substitute |
|
Culture and Leisure Division Development planner Tiina Larva tiina.larva(a)hel.fi, tel: 09 3108 5918 |
Sini Perho |
|
Urban Environment Division Project manager Taruliina Niemi taruliina.niemi(a)hel.fi, tel: 09 310 52748 |
Kati Hytönen |
|
Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division
|
Tove Nygård-Alanne |
|
Education Division
oppimisen tuen yksikön päällikkö Maria Tauriainen
maria.tauriainen(a)hel.fi, tel: 040 7022393 |
Mari Silvennoinen |
|
City Executive Office Special planner Mauno Rönkkö mauno.ronkko(a)hel.fi, tel: 9 310 36279 |
Tommi Sulander |
Meetings of the Council on Disability
The autumg 2025 meetings of the Council on Disability will be held on 9th September.
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)
Vammaisneuvoston toimikauden raportti 2023-2025