The Helsinki City Hall Lobby is hosting an open discussion event for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Friday 3 December from 9 am to 10.30 am. The event can be watched live on the Helsinki Channel(Link leads to external service). It will later be available as a subtitled recording. The broadcast will include sign language interpreting and speech-to-text interpreting.
The event programme features, among other things, a presentation by Paralympic champion Toni Piispanen, a panel discussion on adapted physical activity and exercise, an introduction of the new Helsinki Council on Disability, a performance by the inclusive dance group Kaaos Company, and the Helsinki Council on Disability’s announcement of the recipient of the accessibility award.
Joy of exercise for everyone!
The theme of the morning event for the Day of Persons with Disabilities organised in the Helsinki City Hall Lobby is adapted physical activity and the joy of exercise. How has the city succeeded in arranging services that enable all the city residents to engage in physical activity? Is the voice of diverse exercise enthusiasts being heard?
The Helsinki Council on Disability states that people with various obstacles to exercise or activity should be able to be taken into account in sports-related arrangements. Digitally accessible information on exercise opportunities, services and accessible facilities is needed in easy language and sign language as well.
“Designers and builders of exercise facilities and environments must have the competence to implement accessibility on a sport-specific basis. Exercise enthusiasts need support in the use of physical activity aids, there is a need for skilled helpers and coaches as well as exercise groups and sports clubs that actively invite people to join”, says Marja Kaitaniemi, Chair of the Helsinki Council on Disability.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December
In 1992, the UN General Assembly declared 3 December as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Finland adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the summer of 2016. The convention reaffirms the human rights of persons with disabilities, such as freedom of movement and the right to a quality of life, education and employment.
Read more:
Helsinki Channel live stream(Link leads to external service)
International Day of Persons with Disabilities(Link leads to external service) (In Finnish)
Helsinki Council on Disability(Link leads to external service)
Human Rights in Helsinki(Link leads to external service)
Find your way to participate in and influence the development of Helsinki(Link leads to external service)
Helsinki Liikkuu Physical Activity Programme(Link leads to external service)
Photo: Laura Oja, City of Helsinki Media Bank
The news has been published on 23.11. and has been updated on 30.11. and 3.12.