The social vision of FAIDD is based on inclusion, aiming for equal participation in society for all.

FAIDD promotes the realisation of equality and participation in society among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and others who need support with learning, understanding and communicating. FAIDD also develops services and research in the field.

FAIDD exercises social influence, and serves as a centre of knowledge and skills and a cooperation forum in the field.

Its main functions are:

• development
• communications and exercising influence
• material production
• promoting the provision of plain language information and culture
• promoting the better use of accessible communication and information technology
• staff training
• research

The core operating areas are:

• advocacy
• communication and interactivity
• research and development
• promoting accessibility, lifelong learning, accommodation, employment, participation and choice, self-determination

Values

FAIDD expects to remain a pioneering, innovative force in its field. This objective is based on FAIDD’s commitment to the following values:

• respect for human dignity
• equality
• focus on strengths
• reliability
• innovation

Respect for human dignity means respect for difference: accepting the diverse characteristics of humanity. Everyone is entitled to the same rights. Our leading principle is: every life is equally valuable.

Equality means that all people have the right to play a part in society. The positive discrimination that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people with speech impairments receive creates the foundation for equal opportunities. Equality also means that FAIDD actively opposes all forms of discrimination.

Focusing on strengths means that we emphasise the unique strengths of an individual, underscore his or her participation and choice. We focus on possibilities instead of obstacles. This strengthens the subjective role of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Reliability means that the information we produce is based on results that have been scientifically verified or otherwise proven reliable. We develop networks of co-operation and aim for active partnerships that are based on mutual respect and sharing of information.

Innovation means acknowledging that an organisation is never entirely ready. We keep a close eye on both the domestic and international developments in our field, and thus we are quick to adapt to change.

Strategy

The strategy of FAIDD is focused on the following areas:

• Protecting and promoting interests – e.g. exercising influence to develop legislation in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Raising awareness on the needs and opportunities of the target groups – e.g. compiling, producing, maintaining and disseminating information through research, data collection and sharing of knowledge.
• Quality services through expertise – e.g. influencing service systems so that they represent a high standard from the perspective of the target group.
• Promoting research – e.g. strengthening our own expertise and building up possibilities to cooperate with other research institutes.
• Promoting accessibility – e.g. promoting access to information by means of plain language material and communications.
• Promoting participation, right of self-determination and empowerment in the target group – e.g. influencing attitudes through public and media relations.
• Promotion of lifelong learning among the target group – e.g. by producing teaching material for the target group in basic and second-degree education the production of which would not be profitable on market terms.
• Members and other networking – e.g. networking with different operators in the field in order to influence and enhance the life conditions, opportunities and personal growth of the target group.

Updated October 18, 2011.