The employment of the disabled in Finland provides various work and day activities to support those with disabilities. Most disabled individuals receive a disability pension from Kela but many participate in work activities in their hometown. These activities aim to provide help, support, education, and simple work assignments. Some disabled individuals can work in supported jobs where they are paid normally and integrated into the work community with assistance as needed. Employment relationships can be part-time or full-time, and some telework from home.

1. The employment of the
disabled in Finland

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General...
Disabilities are not a barrier while searching for a job
There are about 23 000 working-aged people with disabilities
in Finland, and about 14 000 of them takes part in some
working or day activities
The basic income for these people is the disability pension
offered by Kela (Social Insurance Institution)
Most of the disabled are involved in the work activities in their
hometown, and only few of them has a paid labour
The disabled need support with working: most of them has got
employed supportively

3. Work- and day activities
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Different activities are offered by the government and the
cities
The activities are not a place to work, but a place to get
help and support with day-to-day basis
For example interaction, education, some exercise,
refreshing and creative activities are parts of the activities
as well as some simple work assignments
Different forms of work activities are for instance textiles,
woodwork and other handicrafts

4. Supported job
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A part of the disabled can have a quite normal job
The person takes care of the tools, assistants and the work
trips by him/herself
It is tried to find a job that meets the skills of the disabled
The employee gets paid normally, all the usual work
arrangements and agreements are running as in a normal
case and the person is a full member of the work community

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The employee gets an introduction and
tutoring for the job, offered by the
government
Some things like the working hours and the
tasks can be made easier if needed

6. Different employment relationships
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The working contract can be either part-time or full-time
In full-time job, person works 35-40 hours per week and
all the extra hours are considered as overtime
In part-time job, the working hours are between 0 and
40 a week
Teleworking happens normally elsewhere than the
official working place, for example at employee’s home

7. http://www.vammaisetduuniin.fi/
http://www.kvtl.fi/fi/tyoelama/tyollistyminen/
http://www.kuntoutussaatio.fi/files/784/kuntout
uspaivat_2012_Teittinen.pdf