Accessible teaching material must not be forgotten in the administrative reform

The comment submitted by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) deals with incorporating Accessibility Library Celia into the National Archives of Finland. HYY acknowledges the need to standardise and streamline administration under the Ministry of Education and Culture. However, we are worried about the effects the government’s proposal will have on the library’s operation and the study opportunities of print-disabled higher education students. According to the Eurostudent VII study (2023), up to one third of higher education students are partially disabled. This group includes neuroatypical and visually impaired higher education students, both of whom need the services of Accessibility Library Celia, such as accessible study material and guidance. Celia’s duties include participating in the organisation of accessible entrance exams and producing accessible study material for the students at the University of Helsinki.

The government’s proposal does not include funding allocated specifically to Accessibility Library Celia. Unless funding is directly allocated to the accessibility library, this may lead to reductions in the library’s functions. Reduced services would threaten the government’s goal of ensuring smooth studies and raising the level of competence in Finland. The material and expertise of the accessibility library enable the study progress of print-disabled higher education students as well as more accessible entrance exams. If Celia’s level of service were to decrease, students’ study times could lengthen and the opportunities of print-disabled young people to seek higher education decrease. Separate funds must continue to be earmarked for the accessibility library in the government’s budget to safeguard Celia’s operating conditions. 

HYY also expresses its worries over the proposed changes to the operation of Accessibility Library Celia. After being incorporated into the National Archives of Finland, the accessibility library would no longer have a board, which currently has representation from various organisations for the disabled, for instance. This reduces the influencing opportunities of interest groups on matters that concern them and thus undermines the promotion of accessibility in society. HYY hopes that the board and its representativeness can be retained in the reform.