Espoon Seudun Näkövammaiset promotes inclusion for the visually impaired
Espoon Seudun Näkövammaiset ry (ESN) is an independent member association of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Visually Impaired Association operating in Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi. The association works to improve conditions for the visually impaired in its operating municipalities and to be a bridge to information, social interactions, and to look after their interests.
The association produces information for the visually impaired in an accessible format through audio magazines and other recordings with information on visual impairment as well as events and other matters relating to the visually impaired.
It operates accessible premises in Olari, where it organises open peer support events every week, aiming to reduce the experience of loneliness and to promote the inclusion of the visually impaired in society and its services.
Apart from a short break in summer, it opens a café every Wednesday, to which it invites outside experts at least once per month to provide information bulletins on a theme and instructors who help participants exercise, make arts and crafts, listen to music etc.
During the summer break, the association organises accessible outdoor exercise events at the Oittaa outdoor recreation area.
Each event includes assistants who help the visually impaired to participate in event that they could not on their own.
ESN partners with the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired and its member associations, HyTe ry, the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes of Espoo, and the Lions Club of Espoo/Olari. The association rents out its premises for private individuals and other associations.
Further information about the association and its activities is available at its website at https://www.esni.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish) and in the Lähellä.fi(external link, opens in a new window) service.
