Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will replace the National Council on Disability
The new Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will start operating in the beginning of next year. The Board will replace the current National Council on Disability. The change relates to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the implementation of the Convention in Finland. Government Decree on the Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was issued on 3 November and the earlier Decree on a National Council on Disability was repealed in the same context.
The Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will operate, in accordance with the UN Convention, as a coordination system under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The task of the Advisory Board is to make it easier for the different sectors and levels of central government and society to carry out activities based on the UN Convention.
The Committee comprises a Chair, Vice-Chair and a maximum of 16 members. Each member, except for the Chair and the Vice-Chair, shall have a personal deputy. The members of the Advisory Board represent Ministries, persons with disabilities or their family members, regional and local government and social partners, and there may also be members representing other stakeholders. At least five members shall represent persons with disabilities or their families. The representatives of persons with disabilities will be appointed on the basis of a proposal from disability organisations.
The Government appoints the Advisory Board for four years at a time. The first term of office of the Advisory Board will last to the end of April 2019.
Inquiries:
Susanna Rahkonen, Ministerial Counsellor for Legal Affairs, tel. +358 2951 63215