Finland's Disability Policy Programme (VAMPO) 2010-2015

Policy Response DateDecember 6, 2010 Country: Finland Address: Helsinki General Type: Discrimination, Institutional discrimination Racism and discrimination phenomena: On grounds of disability
Groups affected / Interested in: Persons with disability Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Employment - labour market, Housing, Health and social protection, Education, Culture, Anti-discrimination, Daily life

The Disability Policy Programme (VAMPO) outlines the most important measures to be taken in the field of disability policy over the years 2010-2015. VAMPO comprises 122 measures aimed at ensuring the following objectives:

  • Preparation and implementation of the legislative amendments necessitated by the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • Improving the socioeconomic status of persons with disabilities and combating poverty
  • The availability and high quality of special services and support measures will be ensured across the country
  • Accessibility in society will be strengthened and increased
  • Disability research will be reinforced, the information base improved, and diversified high quality methods developed in support of disability policy and monitoring.

The current Finnish government (in office as of 22.6.2011) reaffirms the commitment to the disability policy of the previous government. The government programme proclaims that the implementation of VAMPO continues with specific focus on the preparation and implementation of legislative amendments needed to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, promotion of employment of people with disabilities, increasing accessibility and fostering research into disability. Furthermore, specific measures are directed at improving the availability of home help services and the structural reform of the service system for persons with intellectual disabilities.

The implementation of VAMPO is the responsibility of various ministries. The monitoring of implementation will be coordinated by the National Council on Disability (VANE).