Learning and absorbing new information is slower than average. This affects the learning of everyday skills. Support and guidance are often needed throughout life.

Hearing is reduced in a way that makes understanding speech or distinguishing sounds difficult. A hearing aid or interpreting services are often needed.

Mobility is impaired due to an injury or illness. For example, a wheelchair or walker may be necessary.

Vision is reduced in such a way that glasses or surgeries do not provide sufficient help. A visual impairment may make mobility, spatial perception and reading more difficult.

Describes a person’s ability to manage daily tasks such as moving, eating and taking care of errands. Functional capacity can vary even from day to day, in different situations and at different times.

A long-term illness, injury or functional limitation that makes everyday life more difficult. The impact of disability varies greatly between individuals.

Professional assistance is personal assistance that requires the assistant to have specific expertise or training. It supports the user’s daily life in situations where professional skill is needed, for example in care, rehabilitation or guidance tasks. The goal is to enable a safe and independent life even in more demanding assistance situations.

The wellbeing service county’s assistive device centre lends equipment that facilitates daily life and mobility, such as wheelchairs or mobility aids. Some assistive devices are provided through the central hospital.

The wellbeing service county can provide housing support if a person cannot manage alone at home. This may include supported housing or a group home where assistance for daily life is available. 

An assistant supports with basic daily activities, such as mobility, household tasks or running errands. Tasks are tailored to the client’s needs, and the assistant provides flexible support in various situations. The term “assistant” is often used as a shorter form of “personal assistant,” so the two terms frequently refer to the same role.

The wellbeing service county provides personal assistance to a disabled person who needs another person’s support with daily activities. Personal assistance enables living as independently as possible.

A personal assistant supports the client specifically in their life situation — at work, in studies, hobbies and during free time. The starting point is fulfilling the client’s own wishes and enabling the most independent life possible.

The distribution of medical supplies is a service through which a person with a long-term illness or disability can receive, free of charge, certain items needed for the treatment and monitoring of their condition, such as diabetes supplies, incontinence products or catheters. The need for these supplies is always determined by a healthcare professional, and they are free for the client as part of their care.

The wellbeing service county arranges specialised services for people with intellectual disabilities, such as housing support, work and day activities, and everyday guidance.

Professionals from the wellbeing service county can come to a person’s home to support the practice of everyday skills. Rehabilitation thus takes place in the person’s own environment.

A trained assistant has completed additional education, for example in healthcare, communication or special support. They may hold the Vocational Qualification in Disability Work or another relevant qualification. They have the skills to meet more demanding needs and to provide safe and expert assistance.

Rehabilitation consists of activities that help a person maintain or improve their functional capacity. It is provided by the wellbeing service county, Kela and specialised healthcare in different life situations.

The wellbeing service county arranges mobility support for individuals who, due to a disability or illness, cannot use public transport. The service helps them get, for example, to the grocery store, work or hobbies.

Kela provides interpreting services for people with hearing, visual or speech impairments. With an interpreter, one can handle official matters, study and participate in hobbies.

Disability services are services provided by the wellbeing service county to support daily life and independent living. These include, for example, personal assistance, mobility support and home modification work.

Kela pays a care allowance to pensioners if an illness or disability makes daily life more challenging. The allowance helps cover the costs of assistance and care.

Kela pays a rehabilitation allowance to a person participating in rehabilitation. It helps secure income during the rehabilitation period.

Support for informal care is a service arranged by the municipality or wellbeing service county to support care provided at home when a person (e.g. a disabled or elderly relative) needs continuous assistance in daily life, and their family member cares for them at home. The amount and criteria vary by region, and the decision is made by the local authority based on an individual needs assessment.

A service voucher is a payment commitment granted by a wellbeing service county or municipality for a specific purpose, allowing the client to purchase social and healthcare services from approved private providers. It offers an alternative to public services, increases choice and can speed up access to services. 

Kela pays a sickness allowance if a person cannot work due to illness. The allowance secures income during the period of illness.

Kela pays disability allowance to children under 16 and adults who need substantial help or support due to a disability or illness. The allowance helps cover everyday costs.

Accessibility means taking into account all kinds of people — including those with diverse functional abilities and characteristics — when designing environments, services and products, so that everyone can participate in society as equally as possible. Accessibility is not limited to physical mobility but also includes visual, auditory, cognitive and communication needs.

Reasonable accommodations refer to adjustments made by an employer, school or service provider to ensure that a disabled person can participate equally. For example, assistive devices can be provided at the workplace.