The need for quality and affordable higher education has always been a debate. Many young adults have no idea what they’re getting themselves into. Others question if the whole thing is worth it in the end. The chosen career path determines a lot. Generally, higher education can propel people into a life with better opportunities or a higher salary, but the education system isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. There are plenty of areas of improvement that students can benefit from. One is accessibility for all, including the Deaf and disabled community. This applies to even the world’s best education systems, like Finland. Let’s dive deeper into higher education and the Deaf community in Finland. 

Finnish Deaf Community

The University of Helsinki reports around 3,000-5,000 people in Finland are Deaf. Among them, 3,000 use Finnish Sign Language (FinSL, Suomalainen viittomakieli). Sign Language was recognized by Finnish legislators in 1995. Historically, this was significant because Finland became the third country in the world to acknowledge Sign Language as a mother tongue.

Previously, oralism had a strong presence in Finnish society, deeply affecting the Deaf community. In most areas of life, they were forced to learn lip reading. Of course, in private, the Deaf used FinSL. The inability to use their mother tongue or having to hide their culture presents a sense of stress that the Deaf community is too familiar with. That was until the Finnish government made the Finnish Sign Language Act. 

What is the Finnish Sign Language Act? The recognition of FinSL. Other aspects needed to be covered such as the access to disability aid like an interpreter. This wasn’t guaranteed back in 1995 when the language was recognized. Therefore, the government took necessary steps by focusing on the Deaf as a linguistic and cultural group. Even though Deaf people are a minority in society, it is crucial to emphasize the culture. The European Union of the Deaf also states that the Act doesn’t provide the Deaf community with new rights, rather, it emphasizes what is already in place but focuses on the unique characteristics of Deaf people. The goal is right to one’s culture and language, as a step in the right direction. 

Accessibility of Higher Education 

Photo by Emily Ranquist

Finland is well-known for its dual higher education system, which combines work and study. While it’s a great concept, the Finnish education system needs more funding, an aging workforce, and internal affairs. But that’s not the only problem. Where do students with disabilities or who are deaf receive education? While the education system doesn’t deny education to deaf students, the Finnish Association of the Deaf emphasizes that the organization of the schooling system should be improved to support the thriving of deaf students. Deaf students also encounter barriers when trying to enter university due to their impairment. The Finnish Deaf Association continues to emphasize that unreasonable explanation for denial, it’s challenging to set up their children for success.

The problem is a lot of society, even in Finland sees being Deaf as an abnormality. It needs to be cured with technology or lipreading, which tends to be the norm. However, there are other ways around this, to allow Deaf students the same accessibility as their hearing peers. 

Support Services for Deaf Students in Finnish Universities

Interpreter Training Programs

Many universities have support services that help students with needs from choosing courses to changing majors, and financial advice. One of the main things that Deaf students need is to bridge the language gap. Interpreters in a university are the liaisons for everything to give Deaf students the best academic experience. The University of Jyvaskyla is one of the only universities in Finland offering a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Sign Language to students who want to become certified interpreters for the Deaf community. Other universities in Helisinki are slowly offering programs for people who want to learn Sign Language. For example, Humak University of Applied Sciences also offers an extensive degree program to train interpreters. From day one, students are immersed in the world of Sign Language. They train not just in using Sign Language, but understanding the culture and ethical interpreting. In these programs, they are certified to work in specific areas like legal, healthcare, or education. The University of Jyvaskyla also trains interpreters who work in the university. They also go beyond working with Deaf students with individual or business clients. 

Individual Study Support

In addition, the University of Helsinki offers individual arrangements for study support. Some of these benefits include extra time to complete exams, smaller or separate examination rooms, and alternative methods to complete coursework. Each student is assessed to determine the best arrangement for their individual needs. The process is lengthy, including medical certificates and a mountain of paperwork. However, the university states clear intentions to provide reasonable accommodation for Deaf students to have the same accessibility during their studies. 

Collaboration between Higher Education and Deaf Organizations in Finland

 

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Change should always be embraced and welcomed. No matter how good a system is, something can be done better. That’s why institutions can benefit from working with outside organizations. For example, one of the biggest initiatives for the Deaf community in the university is the one between The Finnish Deaf Association and Humak University of Applied Sciences collaborate, along with the Finnish Hard of Hearing Association for projects that train interpreters, especially in degree programs or to help the Deaf students at that school. 

While the Deaf community in Finland has made progress in accessing higher education,  significant challenges still need to be addressed. The education system must provide tailored support to Deaf students, and for policymakers and universities to work together to create a more inclusive environment. By doing so, we can ensure that all individuals, regardless of their hearing abilities, have equal access to higher education.

How are countries worldwide working towards accessibility of education for the Deaf? Find out more at  https://www.unspokenasl.com/

Thumbnail Photo Credit to: Photo by Tapio Haaja