Changes to service hours in counselling for people with disabilities from 1 September to 26 October 2026

Phone and email counselling for people with disabilities is closed between 1 September and 26 October 2026. In-person counselling at the Itäkatu Family Centre is available as usual on Wednesdays from 14.00 to 16.00.

The office secretaries at social work offer guidance and counselling by phone at +358 (0)9 310 23 100 on weekdays from 8.15 to 16.00.

You can find the contact details of the social workers and social counsellors here

Advice and guidance

We offer comprehensive information on disability services and guide you through the application process. Access all necessary disability service forms with ease. Furthermore, we've compiled a valuable directory of contact information for various organisations. 

Photo: Jussi Hellsten

On this website

Counselling for people with disabilities
We provide advice and guidance on disability services and how to apply for them. You can contact Counselling for People with Disabilities by phone, email or by visiting our service point.
Applying for disability services
We provide advice on how to apply for disability services, such as the transport service, informal care support or other disability services.
Forms
We have compiled disability service forms on a single page.
Client fee reduction or non-enforcement
If you feel that you cannot afford to pay the client fee for regular home care or service housing, for example, you can apply for a client fee reduction or non-enforcement.

Explore Kela services

You have the option to apply for the disability allowance for individuals under 16 years, as well as the disability allowance for those aged 16 years or older, and the care allowance for pensioners through Kela. 

Kela also provides access to various types of rehabilitation. If you participate in rehabilitation, you can also receive rehabilitation allowance or rehabilitation allowance for young people. You can also apply for an EU Disability Card from Kela. 

In addition, Kela offers interpreting services that can be applied for by persons with a hearing impairment, vision and hearing impairment, or speech impairment. Interpreting services are also available as remote services. 

Go to the Disability website of Kela

Photo: Jonna Pennanen

Counselling for people with disabilities and support elsewhere

Advice and counselling by Carers Finland
Carers Finland provides counselling to informal caregivers and those working in the field of informal care free of charge. Service is available by phone or chat.
Telephone counselling by the Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities
Advice on disability, disability services, accessibility, legal protection of people with disabilities and the realisation of non-discrimination.
Advisory service by Autism Finland
You can contact the advisory service of Autism Finland when you need advice and support on matters related to an autism spectrum disorder. Advice is available by phone, email and chat.
Leijonaluuri telephone service by Leijonaemot
The telephone service offers peer support to parents of special needs children across diagnostic boundaries.

Links to websites of organisations

The Support Centre for Immigrants with Disabilities – Hilma
The Support Centre for Immigrants with Disabilities – Hilma promotes the rights and equal opportunities of immigrants with disabilities and long-term illnesses in Finnish society.
Autism Finland
Autism Finland is a national expert and non-governmental organisation representing the autism spectrum disorders. .
Erilaisten oppijoiden liitto
A non-governmental organisation founded in 2001 whose mission is to promote the learning, study and employment opportunities of different kinds of learners and their participation and inclusion.
Harvinaiset network
Expertise in the comprehensive everyday life of a person living with a rare disease.
Helsinki Council on Disability
The Council on Disability promotes the equality, participation and inclusion of Helsinki residents living with a disability or long-term illness and takes stand on related matters.
The Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities
The Finnish Association of People with Disabilities is a national multidisciplinary organisation for advocacy and service provision.
Vammaisperheyhdistys Jaatinen
Vammaisperheyhdistys Jaatinen is a national association founded in 1997 by families with disabled children.
Kehitysvammatuki 57
The activities of the organisation consist of diverse recreational and leisure activities offered to people with developmental disabilities, families and voluntary operators as well as of day activities and permanent housing services.
Kehitysvammaisten Tukiliitto
Our activities are intended for everyone who needs support in understanding, learning and everyday activities.
The Finnish Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Association promotes the equality, participation and inclusion in society of people with developmental disabilities and other people who need special support in learning, understanding and communication.
Kuuloliitto
Kuuloliitto offers its members a variety of activities, support and information.
Finnish Association of Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Peer support and events for hard of hearing children and their families.
The Finnish Association of the Deaf
Support, counselling and activities for the deaf.
The Threshold Association
Peer support, legal advice, courses, training and activities for persons with disabilities.
Lyhytkasvuiset
Information and support for people with restricted growth and their families.
Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired
An interest, expert and service organisation for people with a visual impairment.
The Finnish Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
Peer support for children with visual impairments and their families.
Autistic Spectrum Finland
Support and activities for people with autistic spectrum disorders and their families.
The Finnish CP Association
Our target group includes people with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, normal pressure hydrocephalus and other childhood-onset physical disabilities of neurologic origin and their loved ones.
The Finnish Deafblind Association
The Finnish Deafblind Association is an advocacy, peer, expert and service organisation for the deafblind and those with a severe vision and hearing impairment.
Tatu ry
TATU organises peer activities for children and young adults (under 30 years of age) who have become disabled or ill as the result of an accident or treatment injury.
Vamlas Foundation
Vamlas is a foundation promoting the social inclusion and equality of children and young adults with disabilities.