1. w w w. h a m k. f i Virvelinranta – Service and Development Centre for Disabled People Merja Salminen Research Manager, Ph.D HAMK University of Applied Sciences

2. w w w. h a m k. f i Services for people with disabilities in Finland Principles of finnish policy: equality, participation and postive special treatment As a member state of the UN and EU, Finland is commited to promoting an open society for all. The non-discrimination of people with disabilities and finnish citizens right to sufficient health and social services is written into the Finnish Constitution

3. w w w. h a m k. f i Services for people with disabilities in Finland General public services (education, social and health services etc.) have planned in order to suit everyone. For disabled people there are special legislation which give disabled people subjecive rights for services and support: –Law of service and support for the disabled people –Law of special care for intellectual disabled people

4. w w w. h a m k. f i Laws in practice Finnish municipalities have the responcipility to arrange needed services and support for the people with disability and promote indenpendent and equal living The lack of resources is challenging for municipalities -> new ways of organise services are needed

5. w w w. h a m k. f i Virvelinranta

6. w w w. h a m k. f i Virvelinranta… …is a nationally and internationally unique service centre in Hämeenlinna, Finland Collaborative planning have been made several years Partners in cooperation –HOTHAT unit for disabled people with challenging behavior (Eteva Federation of municipalities) and –Unit for day care for those disabeld people who are living in home or service houses (The City of Hämeenlinna) –Voluntary centre for advice, support and information, (Association for support of the disabled in Hämeenlinna region)

7. w w w. h a m k. f i HAMK in Virvelinranta Education, research and development together with other Virvelinranta actors, education and research institutions, enterprices, including also service users and their relatives. Development is partly finansed by EU. The aim is develop collaborative research and development centre Virvelinranta Living Lab. Living Lab is real life learning enviroment for all actors to networking and innovation.

8. w w w. h a m k. f i Conclusions The disabled people have the right to a participation and good and independent life Disabled people need new kind of services, support and products for a good life Participation of the disabled people and their close relatives to decision-making in all levels and development activities in all stages of innovation process is important The new practices and collaborative arenas for development of must be constructed together with all actors from the very beginning