The Accessibility Project

Information and knowledge on accessibility in the built environment

Education, consultation, expertise, help

The Accessibility Project is under the control of Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities (FPD). The aim of the project is to disseminate information and knowledge on accessibility in the built environment among the consumers, local actors and professionals. The project arranges teaching of accessibility and provides educational material for the use of the target groups. The project coordinates the network for accessibility actors and keeps up project's web page www.esteeton.fi. In addition, the project offers individual consultation and information concerning accessibility issues.

The professionals, local actors and consumers as target groups

The professionals plan, finance, implement and control newbuilding and renovating. The students, to-be-professionals, are among this group, as well.

The local actors are municipal officers, members of the municipal councils of disability and elderly people and others who's aim is to promote accessibility e.g. in the non-governmental organisations.

The consumers are anybody who aims to build an own house or to buy or rent a flat/apartment.

The network for accessibility actors

The project coordinates the network for accessibility actors. The network is free and open for everybody. The members of the network:
- get regularly information on accessibility  by e-mail
- are able to participate in the training days and are allowed to affect to the contents of the training days
- are allowed to present their own accessibility projects in the web page www.esteeton.fi
- are able to share their experiences with other accessibility actors 

Anyone who is interested in accessibility of the built environment can join the network.

Www.esteeton.fi

Www.esteeton.fi web page is a comprehensive and current source of information concerning accessibility and design for all. The web page is a channel for dissemination of the accessibility material produced by Accessibility Project and by other actors. The calendar of events gives information of accessibility conferences, seminars and other events arranged by various organisations. The discussion forum works for sharing experiences and peer-to-peer support.

Background

It is estimated that there are approximately 10 % of people who are permanently disabled in Finland. The amount of people who meet functional barriers increases notably when families with children, temporarily disabled and elderly people are included. The number of elderly people, as a proportion of the population, is growing in the near future. According to estimations every fourth of Finns is over 65 years old in 2025. The amount of people over 85 years old will increase proportionally the most. Along with the aging of population the significance of accessibility will increase moreover.

Financing and duration

Finland's Slot Machine Association (RAY) finances the Accessibility Project. The project started in summer 2005, and it will be concluded in the end of 2008. The Accessibility Project works on the accessibility theme that FPD carried out in 2004–2005.