Sign language can be studied in many places in Finland, studies ranging from hobby-type studies to degree-studies. Courses in Sign language are arranged by: 

• Educational facilities (folk high schools and other adult educational centres, university summer studies)
• Associations (Deaf clubs, organizations of parents of hearing impaired children)

Sign language studies are central also in: 

• Sign language instructor studies (120 credits, vocational degree) 

• Sign language interpreter studies (240 credits, University of Applied Sciences) 

• M.A studies (possibility to choose Finnish Sign language as major subject at University of Jyväskylä, basic studies provided at the University of Turku) 

• Basic studies in Sign language are open to everyone through the Open University of Jyväskylä.

The family of a hearing impaired child is in accordance with the disability legislation in Finland, as adaptation rehabilitation, entitled to receive instruction in either: 

• Sign language 

• Signed Finnish 

• Support signs

The families can apply for adaptation rehabilitation from the social offices of the home municipality. In addition the families can join the Junior-programme of the Service Foundation of the Deaf.

Courses and studies can be found mainly in Finnish Sign language. The possibilities to study Finland Swedish Sign language are poor.

Links:

Folk High School of the Deaf www.kl-deaf.fi/kansanopisto

Junior-programme www.kuurojenpalvelusaatio.fi

Pohjois-Savon opisto www.psko.fi

Rovala-Opisto www.rovala.fi

Turku Christian Institute www.tk-opisto.fi

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences www.turku.diak.fi

Humak University of Applied Sciences  www.humak.fi

University of Jyväskylä www.jyu.fi

University of Turku www.utu.fi

Dictionary of Finnish Sign language http://suvi.viittomat.net