Special needs support

• Additional time in the exams 
• Alternative exam format (e.g. oral exam) 
• Taking multiple-choice exams either on paper or without a time limit 
• Breaks during exam 
• Separate/quiet space during the exam 
• Use of noise-cancelling headphones/earplugs in the exam (borrow from the library) 
• Completing a large exam area in several small parts 

• Alternative assignment format (e.g. oral presentation, video)
• Receiving the teaching material in advance
• Extended loan period for course books (4 weeks)
• Clarification of assignments given by teacher
• Recording the learning situation on the audio device (for the student's use only)
• Coloured overlays (thin sheets of coloured plastic) that can be placed over text to help improve reading
• Access to the resting room, eg. in the Pasila campus K1 floor
• Exception from group works 

Student tutor or other volunteer student can support with note taking. 

Special needs teachers can help you find alternative study and learning strategies and methods to advance in your studies.

• The library’s video recordings are subtitled and have audio descriptions so that the information is also available to users who cannot hear the audio or see the video.
• Students with reading disabilities can use Celia’s free audio book service. The library will assist you with setting up a Celia account.  
• The library’s electronic Diverse learners’ library guide describes the library’s accessibility services. 

If you have impaired hearing, a sign language interpreter can be present during the lectures. 

Special needs teachers can help you to learn to use reading and writing supporting software, such as AI assisted writing. 

Additional support and guidance in the thesis process is available for double degree students. 

Pre-visiting to Haaga-Helia before the start of your exchange is possible. This visit can be funded with Erasmus+ accessibility grant, please apply for the grant from your home university to have this pre-visit covered.

We can also arrange a virtual tour to get familiar with the campus facilities. 360-view available

• Pasila campus: Disabled taxis can stop in front of the main entrance of the Pasila campus, from where a wheelchair ramp leads to the main doors of the Helia building. The main door does not open automatically. Each floor is accessible by elevator, and there are automatically opening doors on both sides of the main elevator shaft on each floor. The doors of the southern overpass leading to the SLK building also open automatically. Disabled toilets are on the 1K floor, first floor and fourth floor. Accessibility to the student restaurant is good (elevators and automatic doors).
• Haaga campus: The Haaga campus also takes into consideration individuals with reduced mobility. Taxis for the disabled can stop in right front of the main entrance, and every floor is accessible by lift. There is an accessible toilet downstairs, next to the library. There is also a baby changing table in the same place.
• Porvoo campus: Accessible entrance is through the main doors. The entrance front and the entrance hall floor are flat and without thresholds. The main door opens automatically and the vestibule door has an electronic opening mechanism. The escort vehicle can stop in the square in front of the main entrance. There is an accessible toilet on each floor. There are elevators on each floor and automatic doors to many spaces. More info on Porvoo campus website: Accessibility on Porvoo Campus | Haaga-Helia
• Vierumäki campus: In the Vierumäki campus, newer buildings are wheelchair accessible. Disabled taxis can stop in front of the Ilkka building, from where a wheelchair ramp leads to the front door. There are elevators in Ilkka and Pihkala to reach every floor. Accessibility has also been improved in the sports facilities and swimming pool. There are still accessibility restrictions on Kaskela premises of the old main building and the lower level of the sports hall. 

• Helsinki: HOAS: Many of the Hoas’ new properties are accessible. The buildings have wider door frames and hallways which are also suitable for wheelchair users. In the Hoas application form (on the additional information field) write about your accessibility needs so that Hoas can try to find a suitable home for you.  
• Other housing options: Please consult other housing providers in accessibility matters. 
• Porvoo campus student housing: 
• Vierumäki campus student housing: 

Helsinki region local busses:

• Most of the buses in Helsinki region are low-floor. There are manually operated ramps at the middle doors. The driver will deploy the ramp for you. There are stop announcements that tell the name of the next stop on all bus routes.
• In the capital region, there are so-called neighborhood routes operated with low-floor minibusses. The routes have been designed specifically to cater to elderly passengers and passengers with reduced mobility. The driver will help you on and off the bus if you need assistance.
• Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) offers tickets free of charge or at reduced prices for visually impaired passengers, people with reduced mobility, and people with wheelchairs. 

Helsinki trams and metros:

• The Metro trains are level with the station platforms, providing easy access also for those with mobility aids. All metro stations have at least one accessible entrance and at least one lift. Many stations have audio beacons at the entrances as well as at the doors leading to the lifts that help visually impaired people navigate the station.
• Refurbished stations have tactile and contrast markings to aid visually impaired people. There are announcements and digital screens on the trains.
• All trams are either fully or partly low-floor. Both the Artic trams and articulated trams with low-floor center sections have ramps to provide step-free access.
• Most tram stops are raised so that the stops are nearly level with the low-floor trams. All trams have stop announcements that tell the name of the next stop.

Trains:

• Most of the trains in Finland (VR) can be accessed with a wheelchair or walker, for instance. Because the accessibility of different types of trains varies, plan your accessible train trip in advance. More information: VR (trains in Finland)
• All Helsinki area (HSL) commuter trains are low-floor. Additionally, almost all commuter trains with destinations outside the HSL area (R, T, D and Z trains) are low-floor.
• Almost all station platforms in the HSL area match the commuter train floor height, providing easy access also for those with mobility aids. Only the station platforms in Kauniainen and Kerava are at a lower level than the commuter train floor. Moreover, platform three at the Kirkkonummi train station is at a higher level than the commuter train floor.
• Accessible commuter train carriages are marked with a wheelchair symbol. There are announcements and digital screens on all trains.
   

Porvoo local busses:

• Some of the local buses at Porvoo are accessible by a wheelchair, but it may be difficult to know beforehand which shift is driven by such a bus.
• It is recommended that persons using a wheelchair use a taxi or the service transport Passeli.

Lahti/Vierumäki local busses:

• Most of the local buses from Lahti to Vierumäki are accessible with a wheelchair, but it may be difficult to know beforehand which shift is driven by such a bus. 

More information:

• HSL (Helsinki region transportation)

• The assistance available at bus stations for people with reduced mobility at Matkahuolto long distance busses: Matkahuolto (long-distance buses in Finland)

• Helsinki-Vantaa airport have good services for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility: Helsinki airport 

• Accessibility in Helsinki 

Service animals (such as assisting dogs) are allowed in all Haaga-Helia campuses. 

• Food ingredient lists are available in all student restaurants in Haaga-Helia campuses.
• Gluten-free, lactose-free, milk-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available every day.

• In general, transportation and moving around Finland is working well even in the winter conditions and also for wheelchairs. However, heavy snow storms usually block sidewalks for a while before they will be cleared of snow.
• Contact the campus info desk if sidewalks near the campuses have not been cleared of snow.
• Renting of special equipment for winter conditions
• Helsinki
• Porvoo
• Vierumäki
• We advise to be prepared to do re-training for guide animals in advance.

Information on individual arrangements is confidential and processed by the university only by persons who need information for the planning and/or implementation of individual arrangements. Read more about the processing of students' personal data on the Data Protection website