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 18 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 | Deputy 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 Ballew 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
|
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 Manager of social work for the disabled Jonna Weckström jonna.weckstrom(a)hel.fi, tel: 09 310 89545 |
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 |
Hanna Ahlgren-Leinvuo |
Meetings of the Council on Disability
The meeting times of the Council on Disability are in spring 2026: 19.5. and 9.6. In autumn 2026: 8.9., 20.10., 17.11. and 15.12.
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.)
55 documents
Statements and opinions of the Council on Disability
Statements and opinions of the Council on Disability starting from 2022 (only in Finnish).
84 documents
Activities and annual reports of the Council on Disability
(only in Finnish)
Vammaisneuvoston toimikauden raportti 2023-2025