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In English



COUNCILS ON DISABILITY
AN IMPETUS TO DISABILITY POLICIES

The National Council on Disability
The Municipal Councils on Disability


THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY

The National Council on Disability (NCD) Is an co-operative organ for authorities, disability organisations and organisations for relatives of disabled people. It is working in close connection with the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The National Council on Disability has 18 members who represent either nation-wide disability organisations, different ministries, the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health or the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities. Both the Council and its chairman are nominated by the Finnish Council of State for the working period of three years.

The purpose for the work of the Council is to participate in developing our society by influencing the living conditions of disabled people as well as to promote the real implementation of human rights.

In addition the aim is to pursue the development of the legislation, add disability perspective to community planning, give statements and encourage the development projects towards a society for all.

NCD closely follows the disability policies implemented by the different ministries and makes proposals to assure that disability issues will be taken into account. Initiatives are made also to develop accessible services in the private sector.

NCD participates in the European Union's disability policy by giving statements and taking a stand on disability issues emerged in the union as well by collaborating through meetings.

In the municipalities the work of the National Council on Disability can visible e.g. as follows:

  • By organizing nation-wide thematic days and other training events to municipal councils on disability

  • By offering information to the municipalities on up-to date happenings and legislation initiatives

  • By marketing the know-how of both municipal councils and national organisations. NCD also keeps an up-to -date register on their contact details

    • THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ON DISABILITY

    Municipal council on disability is both an expert organization of people with disabilities in the municipality and a co-operation forum of people with disabilities, officials and decision-makers.

    The National Council on Disability encourages local actors to establish municipality councils. By founding council on disability to the local level, people with disabilities can be better heard in decision-making bodies and policies.

    To establish local council on disability it is needed to make an initiative to the local government, which sets the council. The establishment can be proposed by the administration for the municipality or some board, by the local disability organizations together, by a single one alone, by a single citizen or e.g. by a person with disabilities. There can be a joint council on disability with several municipalities and can work at the provincial level, too.

    The municipal council on disability should be composed of the representatives of local people with disabilities, of their relatives and of local disability organisations as well of officials and of municipal elected decision-makers. The councils generally consist of 6 to 10 members.

    The basic work of the municipal councils on disability consists of meetings, initiatives, proposals and statements, The council gives instructions and takes a stand on issues concerning for example

  • disseminating of information
  • town and infrastructure planning
  • housing and building

  • planning and implementation of mass and light traffic
  • social and health services

  • culture, sports and leisure-time activities

  • educational system

    The council organises joint activities with different actors. It provides training and many kinds of events and disseminates information about disability issues.

    The secretary of a municipal council on disability is most often a part-time social worker. The chairman represents either a local disability organisation or an organisation of relatives.

    Some municipal or city governments have reserved a budget for the council on disability, in some cases this budget is included in that of the basic security board.

    It would be recommendable to start establishing a council on disability in those municipalities where it is still missing. The council on disability is the mouthpiece of people with disabilities both at the municipal and national levels. The councils form together a band to be taken seriously.

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    © 2004 Valtakunnallinen vammaisneuvosto

     

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