Disability in Diverse Contexts (DISMS26HKI)

• Types of disabilities
• Accessibility, inclusion and right to self-determination
• Finnish disability policy and legislation, international agreements
• Service system in the disability field
• Impact of minority status on wellbeing
• Multimodal communication, augmentative and alternative communication
• Role of interpreter in client work

The students will be able to:
• understand different types of disabilities
• know the relevance of international agreements and Finnish disability policy and legislation including accessibility, inclusion and right to self-determination
• apply available services in work with people with disabilities
• recognise the impact of minority status on wellbeing
• understand the purpose of multimodal communication and methods for augmentative and alternative communication
• understand the role of an interpreter and their role in communication with clients

Study module follows blended learning including orientation, lectures, independent learning, supervision and exam.

Attendance to the orientation, lectures and exam is mandatory.

Hästbacka, E. (2021). Equal participation in society? : Perspectives on the opportunities of persons with disabilities in Finland. Doctoral thesis. Åbo Akademi University. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-12-4099-7 (chapter 2)

Saukkonen, E., Valmari, J. & Mietola R. (2024). The happiness of having a hobby: Inclusion of persons with disabilities in leisure activities. In Hisayo Katsui & Matti T. Laitinen (eds.) Disability, Happiness and the Welfare State: Finland and the Nordic Model. Routledge. https://research.ebsco.com/c/22pw2c/search/details/wgyqvbzzpv?db=e001mww (Introduction chapter)

Mustonen, L.-K. & Hisayo, K. (2024). Employment, the Finnish disability pension system, and self- determination of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Hisayo Katsui & Matti T. Laitinen (eds.) Disability, Happiness and the Welfare State: Finland and the Nordic Model. Routledge. https://research.ebsco.com/c/22pw2c/search/details/wgyqvbzzpv?db=e001mww (chapter 8)

Finnish Institute for Health & Welfare (THL): Disability Inclusion Training material: chapters 2.3 Terminology  & 2.4 Practical guideline when meeting persons with disabilities (pp. 10-14)

Finnish Institute for Health & Welfare: Handbook on Disability Services. https://thl.fi/en/publications/handbooks/handbook-on-disability-services

Principles of disability policy (equality, participation, accessibility, services)
Process of social work 
Rights & legislation
Services with subjective rights 
Services bound to appropriations

Ministry of Social Affairs & Health – disability services, disability policy & legislation. https://stm.fi/en/disability-services

Tukiliitto. Samu is on the 9th grade among others. Samu on ysiluokkalainen muiden joukossa (English subtitles available). 2min 40s. [Youtube] https://youtu.be/DUD2fp9-OEE

The following parts must be completed in DIS study module:

– Attendance to course orientation and all lectures. Absence is compensated with written assignment (pass-fail)
– Individual exam in classroom based on the given study material and lectures (0-5)

0-5