Pandemic shrinks disable people’s access to assistance

The exceptional circumstances brought about by the coronavirus have made access to assistance more difficult for some people with disabilities, and the restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus may have made life even more difficult, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

The THL started to conduct a survey covering the experiences of persons with disabilities who use personal assistance during the coronavirus pandemic to examine the wellbeing, quality of life, work and leisure time of personal assistance clients as well as the efficiency of services during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In order for people with disabilities to be able to live independent lives, services and support measures must function effectively. Personal assistance is one of the most significant forms of service that can safeguard this. However, it is an exceptional service, as in most cases a person with disability is his or her assistant’s employer,” said Ministerial Adviser Merja Heikkonen from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

“We need information on the situation so that we can be better prepared in the future. For this reason, it is important that as many people as possible respond to this survey. Ultimately, this is a human rights issue,” she added.

The survey is aimed at adults who use personal assistance, and it will continue until 11 January 2021.

The survey will be carried out electronically, and the respondents can respond in Finnish, Swedish, or English.