Servicemap (external link)
All the services in the metropolitan area within your reach. Search for services, units or addresses, including Aalto University premises at Otaniemi
Accessible Aalto
Recognising and removing barriers is an on-going process requiring everyone’s input. The shared aim is an equal and enabling environment for studies, research and artistic activities.
Let´s go equal!
This page provides a collection of methods and ways to increase collaboration and communication to support each other in learning accessible practices for daily work.
Aalto University strives towards being an accessible, safe and healthy university where research, teaching and services are accessible for all. Recognising and correcting barriers is an on-going process requiring everyone’s input. In accordance with the implementation plan for accessibility the accessibility work of the university is handled in a decentralised manner as follows:
- At university level, we provide the basic services set forth in the university strategy and give advice to six schools, which decide the services of their units independently.
- In addition, we also safeguard possibilities for creative work and interaction and for the development of university activities.
- Safe, healthy and accessible operation environments are designed, renovated and constructed on the Otaniemi campus to serve the entire Aalto community.
- The six schools develop and support the accessible operating culture as defined in the strategy by following up on the progress of its implementation.
- At the levels of departments, degree programmes and units, equal opportunities to participate in studying, research and teaching are ensured.
- Accessibility is developed proactively rather than reactively only after problems have arisen in the process.
- Each member of the community has the right to report any barriers identified and suggest a change in the operating culture.
- Equality is promoted continuously in all operations
- Open discussion strengthens positive attitudes and enhances expertise, which helps us solve everyday challenges.
- We follow the principles of sustainable development, meaning that accessibility is in line with research knowledge and with the tacit knowledge of the community and also justifiable in the different assessments of our operations.
Training, advice and studying on accessible operations all efficiently has been decentralised to different units. Please contact the Learning Services of your school if you would like to receive additional information or to participate in the accessibility work in practice. Both LES and ITS service desks of each school will guide, instruct and advise in accessibility matters in more detail.
Enabling barrier-free Aalto campus
Aalto University Campus & Real Estate - ACRE
Aalto University Campus & Real Estate (ACRE) maintains, develops and rents out Aalto University facilities in Otaniemi and Töölö. We also build new concepts and shared facilities for parties outside the university, thus turning Otaniemi into a unique partnership centre and the most inspiring campus in the world.
Accessibility of the Harald Herlin Learning Centre
Accessibility of the services and premises of the Learning Centre.
Campus maps, addresses and opening hours in Otaniemi
Here you will also find restaurants, the map, the Aalto Space mobile app, access control - all practical information on one page! You can also visit the campus virtually.
Barrier-free environment (external link)
Barrier-free environment takes into account the diversity of people in designing and implementation (in Finnish).
In need of inspiration for accessibility and diversity work? Check out our checklist for museums (external link)
Accessibility and diversity checklist for exhibitions in English. Translated in cooperation with The Finnish National Committee of ICOM.
Accessibility of learning and teaching
ccessibility and equality are an integrated part of the work and competence development of teachers and staff. Learning Services and Human Resource Services advise, educate and encourage members of the university community to recognise barriers to studying and working. Our ways of learning and working may need to adapt to different learning and teaching methods, cultures and attitudes, in addition to mitigating the physical and visible barriers.
Learning Services aims to support and train teachers to understand the benefits of different teaching and learning practices and for being able to guide students to use the services they need. Learning Services teams take accessibility into account as a factor that promotes well-being and study ability. At Aalto University, all students can focus on their studies with the highest degree of equality possible. For individual reasons, students can receive an extension to an examination period or use aids in their studies, for example. The school is obligated to take reasonable measures to organise an alternative mode of completing the study attainment. Such students are required to demonstrate the same level of knowledge and skills as the other students.
Aalto University guides and instructions for studying
Student Guide provides information on studying at Aalto University.
Student Guide
Study guide for all Aalto University students
Starting Point
A general student service point at Otakaari 1, room Y199a
Starting Point of Wellbeing
The Starting Point of Wellbeing offers students easy access to counselling and advice on matters of well-being and study ability. The services available to you include drop-in (no reservation) advising/counselling sessions, peer support groups, and online materials. You can also make an appointment to receive individual counselling.
Individual counselling by study and career counselling psychologists
Aalto’s study and career counselling psychologists offer online and on-campus individual counselling to Aalto students. You can drop in at the Starting Point of Wellbeing for individual counselling without an appointment.
Study and career counselling psychologist services for doctoral students
The study and career counselling psychologists support doctoral students on their doctoral journey.
Student Services psychologist group
The Student Services psychologist group comprises Aalto’s study psychologists and the career counselling psychologist.
Individual study arrangements
Each Aalto student has a right to receive reasonable individual study arrangements for medical reasons. A medical reason may be dyslexia, a sensory impairment, mental health condition or learning difficulty. Individual study arrangements should not be seen as a reason to stop aiming for the set learning outcomes. Instead, they are a way of supporting the student in attaining the learning outcomes.
Examples of individual study arrangements include additional time for examinations (1 hour at Aalto), a private space or computer for examinations, or adjusted schedules.
Erasmus+-scholarships
Information about Erasmus+ scholarships for exchange mobility periods.
Support for higher education offered by other operators
Personal and individual characteristics such as disability, illness or learning difficulties do not prevent participation in Aalto University's various activities. Accessibility support can be requested from various operators to facilitate participation.
Celia (celia.fi) (external link)
Finnish bibrary for accessible media.
Disability allowance for students (external link)
The allowance aims at supporting persons aged 16 years or over who have a disability or chronic illness in their daily lives, work or studies. The need and the amount of disability allowance is always assessed on an individual basis.
Finnish National Agency for Education (external link)
Our core tasks are to develop education and training, early childhood education and lifelong learning and to promote internationalisation in Finland.
Internationalization - yes please! (external link)
On the website Maailmalle.net you will find information about studies, work placements, volunteer work and youth exchanges abroad in Finnish and Swedish.
Accessibility grants in the programme for Finnish language and culture (external link)
An injury, illness or a learning difficulty does not need to stop you from participating in the different opportunities offered by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). You can apply for an accessibility grant from us to help you participate.
Equality.fi (external link)
Equality.fi is a data base maintained by the Ministry of Justice and it contains information and tools for persons and organisations interested in promotion of equality and non-discrimination.
Digital Accessibility
Digital accessibility is taken into account in the implementation of Aalto University's systems, websites, e-services, mobile applications and files in an equal manner and as required by the Finnish Act on the Provision of Digital Services. The Teacher Services team within the Learning Services develops digital services for teaching and learning and provides related support.
Digital Accessibility
Digital accessibility guidance for Aalto web sites, e-services, mobile applications and documents to implement the national Act on the Provision of Digital Services (306/2019).
Digital services for teaching
The Teacher Services team develops digital services for teaching and learning and provides support for their use. The team is part of the Learning Services.
Accessible publishing
Theses, conference publications, articles and reports in the Aaltodoc publication archive. Search with the keywords 'accessibility', 'disability' or 'inclusion', for example.
Aaltodoc publication archive
Aaltodoc publication archive consists of materials produced in the university, such as theses, journal articles, conference publications and research materials produced by the schools of Aalto University.
ACRIS, open access publishing and manuscript service
Instructions on open access publishing in ACRIS
Make and publish accessible documents with the MS Accessibility Checker
Many Microsoft 365 apps include an Accessibility Checker that finds accessibility problems and lists suggestions.
Accessible communications
Saavutettavuus otetaan huomioon verkkoviestinnän yleisessä kehittämisessä. Viestintäpalvelut tukevat yliopiston toimijoita saavutettavuuteen liittyvässä sisäisessä viestinnässä, ja viestintäkanavissa tietoa julkaisevia ja päivittäviä henkilöitä saavutettavan julkaisemisen toteuttamisessa.
Accessible communication
Learn about accessible digital communication at aalto.fi
Accessibility Implementation Plan
The three sections of the implementation plan describe concrete measures to put the plan in practice cost-effectively at schools and units to realize inclusion.
Aalto University Accessibility Implementation Plan 2022–2024
President Ilkka Niemelä confirmed the Aalto University Accessibility Implementation Plan for 2022–2024 on 1st February, 2022. The plan is based on the Aalto University strategy and supports well-being work and the work of the Aalto University Equality Committee. The implementation plan is attached as an appendix to the Aalto University Equality Plan. This page is for monitoring the implementation.
- Published:
- Updated: