Human Impact Assessment
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Province of Southern Finland: Programme on Disability
Policy - HuIA tables
Back to the assessment
process
Task cards
The structure of the 'task cards' was such that the objective is
printed at the top and an example of what this objective could
signify in practice underneath. A statute or regulation pertaining
to the example is then cited, followed by a description of the
present situation, its extent and its problems. Two parallel boxes
present the impacts of decisions from the individual's and
society's point of view.
Example of the comparison section of a task card
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OBJECTIVE EQUALITY AND
INDIVIDUALITY
Example: Potential for independent mobility for the
disabled |
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NOT ATTAINING THE OBJECTIVE FROM THE INDIVIDUAL'S
POINT OF VIEW
A man of 40 suffers a cerebral haemorrhage, as a
result of which his mobility and functionality are drastically
reduced. Previously active in his free time, he is now virtually a
prisoner in his own home. This prompts feelings of loneliness,
uselessness and depression. His disability is so severe that he can
no longer drive a car because of medical limitations (visual field
alterations). Without transport and an escort service, he is
completely dependent on home help and on whatever transport and
escort help his family can provide him. He would like to meet his
friends, go to the shops and pursue hobbies independently, but
without adequate transport this is not possible. Rehabilitation is
slower when independent movement is constrained. |
NOT ATTAINING THE OBJECTIVE FROM SOCIETY'S POINT OF
VIEW
Providing transport services improves equal
opportunities for the disabled to lead their lives and contributes
to the requirement of equality enshrined in the Constitution.
Inadequate transport services translate into further costs for
local authorities and central government through increased use of
services. An immobilized person requires home help and home care.
The need for mental health services and rehabilitation will
increase. Doctors and medication will be required more frequently.
Reduced capacity to act may lead to a need for more expensive
services (e.g. service housing). If a transport service in a
medium-size city costs EUR 111.90 per year and the cost of 24-hour
service housing is EUR 134,550 per year, it is obvious that
investments in preventive transport services are financially
viable. |
Scenarios
Maintaining the status quo: No great legislative changes
are made in disability policy. Resources allocated to disability
matters remain scant, and public opinion does not favour increasing
them. However, existing rights will not be taken away.
Crisis scenario: The financial crisis in the public
sector worsens, and inequality between municipalities deepens.
Political resistance to the welfare state eats away at the
resources provided for disability services and benefits. The
universalism principle is abandoned in social policy, and social
security and services diverge on the basis of client solvency and
productivity. Social inequality increases.
Ideal scenario - diversity is normal: Disability is a
natural part of Finnish society. Disability is accounted for in all
branches of government and all procedures. An obstacle-free
environment, comprehensive basic services and special benefits
enable disabled people to lead independent, equal lives. Visible
participation in working life and politics reinforces the status of
the disabled as fully enabled citizens.
The impacts of these scenarios on individual disabled persons
were assessed from various viewpoints: achievement of basic rights,
attitudes towards disability, housing, education, work,
participation, health, mobility, social security, hobbies and cost
impacts.
Summary (in part)
| Disability policy
programme |
Objectives attained
in part |
Objectives not
attained |
Objectives
attained |
| DISABLED PERSON IN
SOCIETY |
STATUS QUO SCENARIO |
CRISIS SCENARIO |
IDEAL SCENARIO |
| Achievement of basic
rights |
Basic rights not wholly
achieved. |
Basic rights only acquired
by disabled persons who have the cash to pay for them. |
Equality on all levels. Basic rights are self-evident. Need for
services acknowledged and accepted. |
| Attitudes towards
disability |
Discriminatory
attitudes |
The disabled are not
productive citizens; political indifference |
Visible participation by
disabled persons helps integration and improves
attitudes. |
| Housing |
etc. |
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| Education |
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| Work |
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| Participation |
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| Health |
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| Mobility |
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| Social security |
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| Hobbies |
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| Cost impacts |
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Published 4.7.2006, Updated
8.11.2007
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