Finland Times

Finland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in June.

The implementation of the convention in Finland is behind other Nordic countries, said Public Law Associate Professor Pauli Rautiainen.

According to Rautiainen, Finland has not been able to identify the problem earlier.

Other countries comparable to Finland, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, have developed practical solutions, while in Finland the matter is still under discussion.

Rautiainen attributed the delay in ratification to economic recession. The issue of disability, according to Rautiainen, is spoken about as being costly to the society.  As an example, the professor mentioned the issue of government plans to cut disability support.

The realisation of the rights of persons with disabilities has been promoted in particular by the Non-Discrimination Act.

Even though the Non-Discrimination Act extends more to business than previously, the legislation does not oblige private sector more than the public sector.

The opportunities for people with disabilities to move around in public places may narrow down when the private sector manages public tasks.

Housing companies and holders of private parking areas do not necessarily want to organise places for the disabled.