An easy-to-read Integration Act handbook supports the promotion of integration
An easy-to-read handbook on the Integration Act has been published at kotoutuminen.fi. The handbook is intended especially for those involved in integration work who do not speak Finnish or Swedish as their mother tongue. The handbook is also suitable for guidance and counselling of immigrants. Up to 750,000 people in Finland need materials in easy-to-read language.
An easy-to-read handbook on the Integration Act is in progress in accordance with the current Integration Act (Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration). The handbook also includes a brief description of matters related to the reception of refugees. The handbook also takes into account the transfer of healthcare and social welfare services to the wellbeing services counties on 1 January 2023.
The handbook is intended for integration professionals who do not speak Finnish or Swedish as their mother tongue or who have only recently moved to Finland. Easy-to-read language helps as many as 750,000 people in Finland, some of whom are immigrants. The handbook is also suitable for guidance and counselling of immigrants and for hectic work situations.
"Easy-to-read content benefits everyone. It is helpful in customer service situations and it increases equality as more people are able to understand a certain part of legislation, for example," says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.
Easy-to-read Integration Act handbook has been granted a SELKO symbol
The Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment produces content in easy-to-read Finnish in order to highlight the need for such materials in integration work and in society.
The Finnish Centre for Easy Language has granted a SELKO symbol for the easy-to-read handbook on the Integration Act published at kotoutuminen.fi. The symbol helps people in need of easy-to-read language find reading that is better suited for them and to maintain the quality of easy-to-read language. The ease of use of the easy-to-read content is also assessed for the SELKO symbol.
The easy-to-read handbook on the Integration Act has been published as part of the general-language online service. It can be accessed by selecting ‘Selkosuomi’ in the language menu of kotoutuminen.fi. The breadcrumb trail and URL addresses also show users that they are browsing content in easy-to-read language. The handbook will be updated as part of regular online updates, and it will be revised later to correspond with the amendments to the Integration Act.
Inquiries:
Helena Torkko, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, [email protected]