Other laws
Other key laws that oblige or guide accessibility are listed here. The Regional State Administrative Agency for Southern Finland is not responsible for monitoring or providing advice on the implementation of these Acts.
Table of contents
Constitution of Finland
The Constitution guarantees equality for all people. Under the law, no one may, without an acceptable reason, be treated differently from other persons on the ground of gender, age, origin, language, religion, conviction, opinion, health, disability or other personal reason.
Non-discrimination Act (1325/2014)
Under the Non-Discrimination Act, the authorities must assess the realisation of equality in their activities and take the necessary measures to promote the realisation of equality.
An authority, education provider, employer and provider of goods or services must make appropriate and reasonable adjustments in each situation so that a person with disabilities can use services of authorities and receive education, work, and goods and services available to the public on an equal basis with other citizens, as well as performing their duties and advancing their career.
For more information on the Non-Discrimination Act and citizens’ rights, see the website of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman.
Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003)
According to the Administrative Procedure Act, the authorities must try to arrange the services and case processing in such a way that a person using administrative services is appropriately provided with administrative services. In addition, the authority must use appropriate, clear and understandable language.
Language Act (423/2003)
The purpose of the Language Act is to safeguard the right of everyone to use their own language, either Finnish or Swedish, in courts and other authorities, as laid down in the Constitution of Finland.
Sámi Language Act (1086/2003)
Sign Language Act (359/2015)
Information Society Code (917/2014)
The objective of the Act is to promote the provision and use of electronic communications services and to ensure that communications networks and communications services are available to everyone on reasonable terms throughout the country.
Act on Electronic Services and Communication
in the Public Sector (13/2003)
The Act contains provisions on the rights, obligations and responsibilities of the authorities and their customers in electronic services. This Act is supplemented and specified significantly in Chapter 2 of the Act on the Provision of Digital Services, which promotes the availability, quality and information security of digital services.
Act on Public Procurement and Concession Contracts (1397/2016)
The Act must be taken into account when making new procurements. The Act also requires that accessibility be taken into account when a new procurement is made.
Act on procurements and concession contracts of units in the water, energy, transport and postal services sector (1398/2016)
The Act states that accessibility must also be taken into account in the procurement of these services.