Synförbundet in brief
Synförbundet is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious public-interest advocacy organization for Swedish-speaking people with visual impairment in Finland – including those with partial sight/low vision.
The organization’s official name is Finlands svenska synförbund rf, but we use the name Synförbundet.
If you or someone you know is experiencing vision loss or has questions about how to access help and support in Finland, please feel free to contact us.
Who We Are
Locally and nationally, Synförbundet has around 800 members. We organize activities for children, young people, students, adults, and seniors. The organization has both full members and supporting members.
Our office is in Helsinki, but we are also present locally across different parts of Swedish-speaking Finland.
We serve as an umbrella and service organization for seven independent regional associations, whose activity centers are in Pietarsaari, Vaasa, Turku, Mariehamn, Tammisaari, Helsinki, and Porvoo.
What We Do
Synförbundet acts as a contact and advocacy organization as well as a service provider for Swedish-speaking persons with visual impairment in Finland. We work to ensure that people with visual impairment have the same opportunities and rights as everyone else living in Finland. Our goal is full participation and equality economically, socially, and culturally.
Synförbundet:
- complements public services
- gathers information about the needs of the target group and seeks solutions to them
- shares information about visual impairments and eye health
- advocates for a more accessible and inclusive society
- provides statements on legislative proposals and defends the right to services based on individual needs
- offers individual vision counselling and support for independent living
- installs technology that enables new ways of reading
- publishes magazines in different accessible formats
- serves as the center for Swedish-language braille activities in Finland
- provides IT and technology support as well as vision-related adaptations
- organizes courses, study circles, and group guidance
- advises on assistive devices for everyday life, studies, and working life
- cooperates with organizations in the disability sector
What the Regional Associations Do
The main task of the associations is to offer visually impaired people opportunities through local activities to meet others, exchange ideas, stay active, participate in culture, and spend time together.
At the same time, the associations communicate information about current challenges to the federation, and we collaborate on local events and regional advocacy work.