Accessibility at University of Turku
In its operations, the University emphasises participation and communality. This is manifested in the equal opportunities for all community members to participate in the University’s activities and to develop their skills and knowledge.
Accessibility is understood broadly at our University: it applies, for example, to campus facilities, studying and teaching, and digital systems. Promoting accessibility improves everyone's access to the University’s services, facilities and opportunities. Accessibility is also a legal requirement.
Accessibility Policy of the University of Turku
The Accessibility Policy of the University of Turku is in effect for 2025–2029 and its focus areas are:
- Developing the physical accessibility of the University's campuses
- Addressing the diversity of the University community
- Communicating accessibility information to the University community
The Accessibility Working Group of the University of Turku monitors the implementation of the Policy. In addition to the Policy, a more concrete Accessibility Action Plan 2025–2029 (requires login) has been published on the intranet. The progress of the actions is reviewed annually.
Accessibility of campuses
The University of Turku operates in several locations, so the campus area is extensive. The buildings are also of different age. Therefore, the accessibility of the campuses and their various buildings varies.
Up-to-date campus maps are available in the Tuudo app. Accessible entrances and toilets are marked on the maps.
Turku University Library has fragrance-free group study spaces available for reservation. Turku campus is a smoke-free campus where smoking is permitted only in designated areas.
A disabled parking permit entitles its holder to free parking in the parking areas of the University of Turku. The parking permit must be clearly visible from outside the vehicle. The University’s accessible parking spaces can be found on the Automobile and Touring Club of Finland web service.
Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome on all campuses.
Campus-specific accessibility information:
Turku campus is located on a large site near the city centre and is accessible by public transportation, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and by car. A part of the campus is located on a hill, the University hill, which means that there are several stairs around the area.
The buildings around the campus are of different age. In the majority of the buildings, the main entrance or the entrance closest to the parking area is accessible. The buildings are equipped with accessible and gender-neutral toilet facilities.
The newest teaching facilities on campus are equipped with an induction loop. The functionality of the induction loops is currently being mapped, and more detailed information will be provided to users as the mapping progresses.
Turku campus has an accessible exam room available for students who have a recommendation for individual arrangements.
On the Rauma campus, all of the University's buildings are located on the same hill. The Department of Teacher Education and Rauma Teacher Training School are located on the same campus and share many facilities.
The campus in Rauma has an accessible exam room available for students who have a recommendation for individual arrangements.
The University Consortium of Pori is located in an old cotton factory. The main entrance has a ramp, and one of the main entrance doors is equipped with an automatic door opener. Detailed accessibility information for the University Consortium has been compiled in Finnish in the accessibility statement linked below.
Accessibility in studies
The University of Turku aims at ensuring accessibility in studies for all of the students of the University. In case you need individual support due to e.g. learning difficulties or an illness or disability that affects learning, individual arrangements can be made regarding your studies. An individual arrangement could include, for example, the option to receive extra time during an exam or to take exams in an accessible exam room.
Students who need individual arrangements should contact the accessibility planning officers (esteet@utu.fi), who will provide advice and guidance in all matters related to individual arrangements.
The accessibility planning officers also provide guidance to those interested in international student exchange at the University of Turku in situations where an applicant needs individual support due to a disability or illness.
Read more:
The University Library offers accessibility-related services, more information is available on the Library's website: Services for students entitled to individual study arrangements
Members of the University community can register as users of the Accessibility Library Celia through the University Library. Celia provides literature in accessible formats for anyone experiencing reading difficulties.
A wide range of guidance and support services is available to students: Guidance services for students
See also:
Digital accessibility
Digital accessibility aims to ensure that online content and web services are easy to use and clear. Digital systems must be usable on a variety of devices by a variety of users. The University’s own document templates are accessible, and we encourage all members of the University community to use them.
The University offers its staff a wide range of training opportunities to develop their skills also in the area of digital accessibility. More detailed instructions regarding the accessibility of web services can be found on the University's intranet.
The University of Turku offers the students, employees and visitors of the University free, wireless network.
Non-discrimination and equality
Accessibility and the promotion of study and work well-being are at the heart of the work towards equality. We work towards strengthening equality and non-discrimination related to e.g. age, gender, and ethnicity in our community.
The University's current Equality Plan is in effect for 2021–2030. The University has a Non-discrimination and Equality Committee and its Subcommittee for International Affairs. The University's Advisor on Equality Issues provides guidance to students and staff on issues related to non-discrimination and equality.
Questions or feedback?
You can also send an email to: esteet@utu.fi.