Organisation of transport services prompted lively discussion at the event for organisations

The event included discussion about the implementation of transport services and alternative organisation models. In addition to this, the meeting included discussion about the impact of the amended Services and Assistance for the Disabled Act on transport services.  

The discussion proved to be lively. Views expressed by participants included the importance of selecting an operating model that provides the safest and most reliable transport services: we should strive to learn about the weaknesses and shortcomings of the current model. Accessibility and client privacy must also be ensured. Clients considered it important to also take into account the differences between areas, as some areas have very few taxis. Because of this, it would be important to use local taxis, which would receive fair compensation for the service. The event was attended by approximately 40 participants from western Uusimaa.  

One of the people who participated in the event was Mika Kaartinen, the chair of the disability council of Vihti and the Northwest Uusimaa Support Association for People with Intellectual Disabilities. There is a lot happening in services for the disabled at the moment, including the preparation of amendments to the Services and Assistance for the Disabled Act, the dissolution of the special care districts, the harmonisation of work for making apartments accessible, the tendering of transport services, the shaping of HUS’s role and the preparation of the West Uusimaa wellbeing services county. With so many developments taking place at the same time, the people participating in the preparation are currently very busy, as the time for residents to participate in and influence all of these is right now.  

Kaartinen considers it a very good thing that information and discussion events about transport services and the preparation of the West Uusimaa wellbeing services county’s other services for the disabled are being organised, and would like many different people to participate in them. “It is important that events like these are organised and that different participation methods are utilised – but people also need to participate in them. Discussion requires time and resources – decision-makers must also do their part to ensure that there are enough human resources and time for engagement work,” Kaartinen summarises.  

Come and join the discussion at the resident information event of the services for the disabled of West Uusimaa on 2 June 2022!