Services for students with disabilities and students with special needs
Questions regarding the student services of disabled and special needs students are directed to the Adviser of Disability Issues, Ms. Paula Pietilä. She is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-14 on the bottom floor of the Main Building in room 024, phone 333 6235 and email vammaisasiamies@utu.fi
Disabled and special needs students have an e-mail list: vam@utu.fi (in Finnish). Students may join by contacting Ms. Paula Pietilä.
Special arrangements
Guidelines have been made at the University of Turku for special arrangements for disabled and special needs students.
In order to have special arrangements made for entrance examinations, the student must send a free form application to the Adviser of Disability Issues before the application deadline date at the faculty in question. The student must also attach a medical certificate or another certified explanation of the nature of his/her disability or illness. The student will be informed in writing in good time before the exam. N.B. When it comes to classroom teacher and kindergarten teacher training, special arrangements are agreed upon directly with the Faculty of Education.
It’s possible to use special arrangements in other test and teaching circumstances. Further information and advice about special arrangements is available from the Adviser of Disability Issues and from the head of academic and student affairs at the faculties.
Accessibility
In the summer of 2005, a survey of accessible areas in Turku was made to assist those with special needs. This survey of accessibility information about the public and private services in Turku can be found on the Turku for All pages on the internet. There is a list of symbols with English explanations on the pages and the University of Turku, with its accessible areas, can be found by clicking Education.
There is accessibility to the university’s Main Library and the Course Book Library. There is a wheelchair accessible computer section on the second floor of the Main Library. If the library’s facilities are inaccessible, the library can make arrangements to notify the accessibility unit.
There is an induction loop system in some of the bigger lecture halls of the university. Furthermore, there is one transferable induction loop system in operation. Issues about assistive listening devices can be directed to Office Manager Mr. Timo Väisänen by phone 333 5912 or e-mail timo.vaisanen@utu.fi
The university has a rather small resting room which is located at the on the 2nd floor of the Department of Physics building Quantum. A key can be requested from Laboratory Engineer Mr. Jorma Heinonen by phone 333 5648 or email jorhei@utu.fi
Other services
Questions concerning the livelihood, disability services and devices for study should be directed to the Adviser of Disability Issues.
Depending on the student’s situation in life, questions about livelihood should be directed to Kela or an insurance company. The social services of the student’s home municipality mainly will account for the implementation of the accordant services of the Disability Services Act. Kela accounts for the disability devices for the studies of severe cases. N.B. These services are meant for students with a permanent (pysyvä, status A) residence permit in Finland. Students with a temporary residence permit or right to reside in Finland should direct these questions to Ms. Paula Pietilä.
Questions concerning a student's social security can also be directed to the Secretary of Social Policy of the Student Union by phone 276 9614 or e-mail tyy-soposihteeri@utu.fi. Activities and services can also be found on the Student Union's webpages; information and questions for international students can also be directed to the Secretary for International Affairs, by phone 276 9615, or e-mail tyy-kvsihteeri@utu.fi.
There are no specific apartments for students with disabilities in the housing production of the Student Village Foundation. For those with special needs, it is important to ask the Student Village about finding alternatives when applying for housing. More information can be found at the Student Village Foundation website and from the housing office by phone 275 0200.
Information about sports possibilities is available from the City of Turku Sports Services Centre correspondent Ms. Eija Hiitti phone 2623 222, mobile 050 5546 222 or e-mail eija.hiitti@turku.fi and also from the English webpage. Various sports possibilities can also be found at Turun Seudun Invalidit Ry (in Finnish only), 235 6439, e-mail toimisto@turunseuduninvalidit.fi.
Students may discuss University Sports course fees with Secretary for Sports Mr. Paavo Viinikainen by phone 333 5946 or e-mail paavo.viinikainen@utu.fi.
There many active student organisations in Turku including organisations for disabled and special needs students. The Threshold Association (Kynnys ry) has focused on the overseeing of the rights of the disabled and questions of equality. More information can be found at their website or from the regional secretary Mr. Olli Nordberg, 251 9521, e-mail olli.nordberg@kynnys.fi.