In English

The Helsinki and Uusimaa Association for Visually Impaired (HUN) is the blind and partially sighted people's own organisation. If you are visually impaired and live in the Helsinki region, or in the counties of Uusimaa and Itä-Uusimaa you can apply for the membership of HUN.

HUN is the biggest member association of the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired. More than 2000 visually impaired people are the members of HUN. Most of the association's service and activity spaces are located in the Service and Activity Centre for Visually Impaired in Helsinki called Iiris. HUN embraces also 6 local societies for visually impaired. The focus of HUN is to provide services for the visually impaired so that they may choose to lead fuller and more independent lives.

Services and activities for visually impaired

The membership of HUN entitles you to take part in events and social clubs run by the association. You have an opportunity to study, go in for sports and recreation activities as well as socialise and network with other members. This gives a good possibility for the members to support each other in coping with the effects of sight impairment.

Also the members with immigrant background occasionally organise meetings. More information on the services for the immigrant members can be obtained from: Ibrahim Milanovic, tel. 041 538 7054, ibrahim.milanovic(at)nkl.fi.

According to your needs and interests, you can order sound newsletters (CD), follow the news in Braille or in print and subscribe to e-mail newsletters.

As a member of HUN you will receive a personal discount card as well as membership benefits.

You can order volunteer guidance assistance in different activities like shopping, doctor's visits or bank and post office issues in the capital area. The guide service is provided by one of our units called Pengertupa.

As a member you can also apply for subsidised holidays and/or spend holidays in the HUN's holiday home at Villinki Island.

HUN owns two Annansilmät-Aitta shops selling hand-made products of visually impaired. The work centre employs about 45 workers: disabled people and those who have other problems with coping on the work market.

HUN looks after the rights of the visually impaired people and promotes the environment that from the point of view of visually impaired is friendly and accessible.

If you need assistance and advice on social benefits entitlements, please contact the regional secretary of the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired.

Fundraising and support

Fundraising is an important part of HUN's work to be able to support visually impaired people. If you feel you can support us with this work you could, for instance, make a donation for the association or become a support member. HUN can be also stated as beneficiary in the will.

Other form of support is volunteer work for the association: you may act as a personal guide for a visually impaired person or be involved in fundraising campaigns. Everybody can find a type of support activity that fits him or her and every type of support is equally valuable.

More information

If you need more information, please fill the feedback form or contact us directly.