Disability research is carried on e.g. at the Universities of Jyväskylä and Kuopio.
There is a Centre for Disability Research maintained by the Foundation for Research on
Disability at the University of Jyväskylä. The focus of disability research in
Jyväskylä is on studying disability-related sociology and social sciences, special
education, neuropsychology, and rehabilitation and physical activities for the disabled.
The Centre for Disability Research maintains VAMNET information service (Information and
Advisory Services, http://www.jyu.fi/~vamtutk),
the Finnish Network for Disability Research and takes part in international co-operation
through the Nordic Network for Disability Research and EU programmes and international
organisations. The Centre for Disability Research arranges education and postgraduate
studies for researchers, conferences and seminars.
The Disability Research Unit of the University of Kuopio is orientated towards societal
research and its practical applications. It also co-operates and carries out projects with
various organisations. The unit plans and co-ordinates, among other things, commissioned
research projects as multidisciplinary co-operation, using the expertise of the University
of Kuopio and the Kuopio University Central Hospital.
The National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) has a
research unit on independent living. It focuses e.g. on the quality of aids and
information about them and promotes developing ordinary apartments so that older persons
and persons with disabilities could live in their own homes as long as possible. NGOs are
also engaged in research activities. The Finnish Association on Mental Retardation studies
issues related to the quality of services for disabled persons, rehabilitation methods,
municipal services and the shaping of the life span.