FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Finland
Address
Marjaniementie 74Country
City
HelsinkiMobile Phone
+3584490161011Telephone
+3584490161011E-Mail (2)
info@tukikeskushilma.fiE-Mail (3)
maija.aatelo@vammaisfoorumi.fiE-Mail (4)
mahmoud.hassan@tukikeskushilma.fiWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
1999Contact Person1
Mahmoud HassanJob Title 1
Development ManagerContact Person 2
Maija AateloJob Title 2
Chairperson of The Finnish Disability ForumOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Democracy and community development, Human rightsGeneral Information
The Finnish Disability Forum is the umbrella organization of Finnish national disability organizations. Established in 1999, Vammaisfoorumi promotes the rights, equality, accessibility, participation, and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in Finland. The organization advocates for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and represents Finnish disability organizations in national and international cooperation. Vammaisfoorumi works closely with civil society organizations, authorities, and international partners to strengthen human rights, inclusion, and equal participation for persons with disabilities.
Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities operates under Vammaisfoorumi ry and promotes the rights, inclusion, wellbeing, and equal participation of immigrants and refugees with disabilities and chronic illnesses in Finnish society. Hilma provides multilingual guidance and counselling services, peer support activities, service coordination, intercultural support, training, and advocacy. The centre supports immigrants with disabilities and their families by improving access to services, information, participation, and community inclusion. Hilma also cooperates with authorities, educational institutions, NGOs, and international partners to strengthen equality, accessibility, and intercultural dialogue.
Mission and Objectives
The mission of The Finnish Disability Forum and Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities is to promote human rights, equality, accessibility, inclusion, and full participation of persons with disabilities in society, with special attention to immigrants, refugees, and culturally diverse communities. Through advocacy, intercultural dialogue, multilingual support services, peer support, counselling, training, and cooperation with national and international partners, the organizations work to strengthen social inclusion, empowerment, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all persons with disabilities regardless of their background, language, or origin.
Main Projects / Activities
The Finnish Disability Forum and Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities carry out advocacy, counselling, peer support, training, networking, and awareness-raising activities to promote the rights, inclusion, accessibility, and participation of persons with disabilities in Finland and internationally.
The Finnish Disability Forum works as the umbrella organization of Finnish disability organizations and actively promotes the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Its activities include disability rights advocacy, policy and legislative influence, accessibility promotion, international cooperation, participation in European disability networks, and cooperation with civil society organizations and public authorities.
Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities focuses specifically on immigrants and refugees with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Hilma provides multilingual guidance and counselling services, peer support groups, service coordination, advocacy, intercultural dialogue activities, and training for professionals and organizations. Hilma organizes community events, workshops, information sessions, and empowerment activities to strengthen the social inclusion and participation of immigrant persons with disabilities and their families.
Hilma has also implemented projects and activities related to:
- integration and inclusion of immigrants with disabilities,
- strengthening accessible and culturally sensitive services,
- peer support and empowerment programs,
- cooperation with municipalities, educational institutions, NGOs, and international partners,
- awareness-raising on disability rights and equality in multicultural communities,
- youth and family support activities,
- and promoting intercultural dialogue and participation through seminars, workshops, and community engagement initiatives.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
The Finnish Disability Forum and Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities contribute to the Network in Finland by bringing strong expertise in disability inclusion, intercultural dialogue, migrant integration, accessibility, and human rights advocacy. The organizations have extensive experience working with immigrants, refugees, and persons with disabilities from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds through multilingual counselling, peer support activities, workshops, training sessions, community events, and cooperation with NGOs, authorities, and international partners.
The Finnish Disability Forum is the umbrella organization of Finnish disability organizations and a member of the European Disability Forum (EDF), strengthening international cooperation and advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities at both European and global levels. Hilma contributes practical knowledge and lived experience related to supporting newcomers with disabilities and promoting accessible participation in multicultural societies.
The organizations can contribute to the Network by:
- organizing inclusive intercultural dialogue activities and community events,
- sharing expertise on accessibility, equality, and inclusion,
- supporting participation of underrepresented and vulnerable communities,
- contributing to international cooperation and partnership-building activities,
- promoting human rights, diversity, and social cohesion,
- and strengthening cooperation between Nordic, European, and Mediterranean civil society organizations.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
The Finnish Disability Forum and Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities would like to join the ALF Network to strengthen international cooperation, intercultural dialogue, and inclusive participation between civil society organizations in Europe and the Mediterranean region. The organizations share the values of human rights, equality, diversity, accessibility, social inclusion, and peaceful coexistence, which are central to the mission of the Anna Lindh Foundation.
Through the Network, we aim to exchange knowledge and good practices, build sustainable partnerships, and contribute to joint initiatives related to disability inclusion, migrant and refugee inclusion, accessibility, youth participation, and intercultural understanding. We are especially interested in promoting the participation and visibility of immigrants and refugees with disabilities, whose voices are often underrepresented in international dialogue and cooperation.
As the umbrella organization of Finnish disability organizations and a member of the European Disability Forum (EDF), The Finnish Disability Forum brings strong experience in advocacy, networking, and international cooperation. Hilma contributes practical expertise in multilingual support services, peer support, intercultural dialogue, and community-based inclusion work with immigrants and refugees with disabilities.
By joining the Network, we hope to contribute to building more inclusive, accessible, and diverse societies through cooperation, dialogue, and shared learning across the Euro-Mediterranean region.