Assistance makes participation possible
The authors described how support with dressing, eating, personal hygiene and moving between places could enable paid work. They proposed cooperation between municipalities, including joint procurement, and identified the organisation Händikäpp as an experienced provider capable of working across municipal boundaries. They also highlighted inaccessible workplaces and persistent stigma. [1]
National guidance centres the person’s needs
The Social Insurance Board’s July 2024 guidance says municipalities must assess support needs comprehensively. It lists assistance with education, work, hobbies and daily activities. It also recognises that a person with restricted legal capacity can receive assistance, including when alternative communication is needed to express their wishes. [2]
Tartu names a community service provider
Tartu’s service information identifies Händikäpp as its personal-assistance provider for 2026. The municipality describes a paid assistant who follows the individual user’s needs and instructions. The service aims to strengthen independence and participation, including employment, while reducing the support burden on family caregivers. [3]