Province of Southern Finland: Programme on Disability Policy - A description of an HuIA process

Need for Human Impact Assessment

The purpose of the Disability Policy Programme of the Province of Southern Finland is to promote preventive well-being policy and to make the impacts of disability policy decisions tangible to individuals and communities. One of the aims of the programme was to encourage disability policy actors to assess the impacts of proposed decisions at the planning stage.

The process and its participants

The programme was prepared by a disability policy working group appointed by the Southern Finland State Provincial Office to assist the Department of Social Affairs and Health of the Province. The working group includes 15 members representing municipalities, disabled people's organizations and the State Provincial Office.

Drafting of the programme began in autumn 2001. Description of the impacts of the programme began in spring 2002 with surveys, regional meetings and expert evaluations. During the summer and autumn, information was gathered on cost impacts and impacts on individuals. In autumn 2002, a preparatory group described future alternatives and defined the measures needed to achieve the goals set. The programme proposal was circulated for comment to disabled people's organizations and the National Council on Disability. The programme was submitted to the Governor in January 2003.

The models examined and their impacts

The goal of the disability policy programme is to promote the well-being of the disabled. General objectives were set for the attainment of this goal, involving support for the equality, independency and empowerment of the disabled. In addition, the preparatory group defined nine more tangible objectives. These and their impacts were assessed more closely using 'task cards'.

See the task cards

In addition to the comparisons on the task cards, the programme also outlined future developments. The scenario descriptions showed how different the life of a disabled person could become, depending on what the future brings. The importance of disability policy decisions for the outlook was highlighted.

See the scenarios

Use and benefits of HuIA

The disability policy programme was aimed at decision-makers and people living in the Province. The programme aims to support disabled people's councils and municipalities in the implementation and development of disability policy. It supports municipal actors in decision-making, particularly with reference to impact assessment. The programme further highlights the points that should be taken into account in making any individual decisions.

Further information

Leena Ahti
Senior Inspector
State Provincial Office of Southern Finland

Report: State Provincial Office of Southern Finland (2005) Being Different Is Normal. Disability Policy of the Province of Southern Finland for the Years 2003-2006. Abridged Policy Document. Publications of the State Provincial Office of Southern Finland 91.