Coaches

“The key objective of the principle of inclusive design is to ensure that no one is cast aside or excluded due to design solutions. A barrier-free environment works for everyone.  When an environment is barrier free, no special arrangements are necessary, which saves money.”

Marjo is Avaava’s Chief Accessibility Expert. She has worked for over 20 years with barrier-free built environments, starting as a coordinator for the Finnish Design for All network and then as an expert at The Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities. Marjo specialises in inclusive design especially in the built environment, and she is a renowned speaker and trainer: “Thank you for the excellent training! I don’t think I’ve ever attended a course before that has offered such an eye-opening experience to this many attendees.”

+358 50 338 8765
marjo.kivi(at)avaava.fi

“Inclusivity is a comprehensive way of thinking. It means taking diversity into consideration in everything you do at all organisational levels. The key is to have the right information available to the right professionals at the right time.”

Terhi is the founder and Business and Development Director of Avaava and Finland’s representative in the AccessibleEU initiative. Not only is Terhi an experienced trainer, she has also worked in international accessibility industry networks and held trusted positions in the industry. Tamminen understands how business works and her expertise involves a comprehensive understanding of barrier-free design and inclusivity, from barrier-free built environments to the accessibility of services and communication. Tamminen brings together the operations of multidisciplinary professionals, organisations and companies and the needs of end users. Tamminen spends her free time with her dog, Sissi, and her family of football enthusiasts.

+358 45 135 8932
terhi.tamminen(at)avaava.fi

“I believe in hands-on training methods, which is what our course attendees have been happy with.”

Annika is a Senior Accessibility Expert at Avaava. A favourite among course attendees, Annika employs a wide range of training methods. Annika has many years of experience in the promotion of accessibility in different IT projects, and she has the tools to support different groups throughout the project life cycle. Annika is a certified web accessibility specialist (IAAP WAS) and a Certified Scrum Master.

During her free time, Annika enjoys spending time with her young and energetic dog Torsti and serving in the Finnish Defence Forces’ reserve.

+358 50 53 99321
annika.lehdonjoki(at)avaava.fi

”Understanding and know-how go hand-in-hand in the building of a barrier-free and accessible world. Without understanding, you don’t know what you are working towards, and without know-how, you can’t achieve what you are working towards.”

Valtteri is an Accessibility Expert and UX specialist at Avaava. Valtteri’s interest in technology and how it works spans many years and he has robust experience in coding and a degree in the interaction between humans and technology. With this background, Valtteri goes beyond the surface as he observes accessibility in the network of different technologies and applications. In his spare time, Valtteri enjoys exercising, delving into his nerdy hobbies, cooking and crafting.

+358 50 538 1783
valtteri.jarvinen(at)avaava.fi

“A visually pleasant online service is also easy to use. Taking accessibility into consideration does not compromise either of these factors. Instead, it improves them!”

Reetta is an Accessibility Expert at Avaava. She’s interested in the visual aesthetics of online services and the accessibility of documents. Reetta is an expert in all things PDF and knows the ins and outs of the file format.

+358 50 371 7722
reetta.eiskonen(at)avaava.fi

“Accessibility, barrier-free design and social inclusivity all have the same objective: to make it possible for everyone to flourish and be well.”

Senni is an Accessibility Expert and expert by experience. Studies in special education and social pedagogy, congenital blindness and vast expertise in the field of disability services make Senni a versatile and impressive trainer who has seen a lot.

+358 50 496 1248
senni.hirvonen(at)avaava.fi

“Accessibility means equality.”

Kaisa is an adventurer who has been awarded Graphic Designer of the Year as well as Cyclist of the Year. At work, Kaisa combines her expertise by experience with robust professional skills. Kaisa’s career has taken her to many places, but she always comes back to Lahti, where she has worked as a teacher and R&D expert at the LAB Institute of Design and Fine Arts.

“In an equal society, everyone can reach their potential regardless of their abilities or where they are in life.”

Sari is an entrepreneur, a lecturer in law at a university of applied sciences and a PhD researcher focusing on the accessibility of judicial data. Sari enjoys combining up-to-date information with practical applications by means of legal tech and legal design. Sari’s work is supported by her studies in education and drive to develop things in a user-oriented manner. Sari has also worked in management and development roles in digitalisation for many years.

“The digital brings enormous opportunities to promote inclusivity, whether it’s AI, augmented reality (AR) or other advanced technologies. The task of professionals is to ensure that everyone can use technologies, and above all, safely.”

Tero is a dissertation researcher and an experienced teacher. He researches accessibility in future society and, related to this, the interplay of people and technology. The topics of his research are especially smart digital services for transport, education and rehabilitation. Tero always gets excited to talk about building mobility aids and applying emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, as well as their accessibility perspectives.

“Taking care of accessibility is an integral part of architectural planning throughout the project. It’s a good starting point that accessibility solutions are integrated into the architecture as a natural part of the building’s aesthetics.”

Erkki is an experienced housing designer, who is also responsible for numerous service house plans. Erkki started his career in offices in Espoo and Helsinki, but today he runs his own architectural office in Lahti. He has cooperated with Avaava in various projects since 2009. In addition, Erkki works as the architect designer for modular bathrooms of Avaava’s parent company Karanttia. Erkki relaxes by running after a football and playing the piano in a creative style.

“I have always enjoyed work which is creative and focused on communication. It is a passion I have been developing since I studied design and became a photographer, then discovered maps. It is also important for me to work with something worthwhile. Hopefully my career is contributing to a sustainable future.”

Over 20 glorious years at T-Kartor have allowed Tony to travel the world and learn about the world of city planners, public transport and sustainable mobility. Tony has been a graphic designer, a project manager and worked with marketing and sales. Tony has also had an entrepreneurial spirit and started a company 3 times: to freelance as a photographer, start an online image catalogue and to create videos as content marketing. City Wayfinding, which Tony has been immersed in for the past 15 years, encourages people to walk, cycle and use public transport instead of driving their cars.

“For me, inclusive people-centred design is a driver for innovation and a powerful strategy for inclusion and equality focusing on human diversity.”

Onny is a former President and a current member of the Executive Board of EIDD Design for All Europe. She is founder of Innovation for All AS. Her achievements include more than 13 years of leading and promoting in the fields of inclusive, people-centered deisgn. Onny writes, publishes, lectures, facilitates workshops and curates exhibitions both in Norway and internationally.

Onny was appointed Inclusive Design Champion at Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art, London in 2015. In 2019 she was appointed Council member of the International Association for Universal Design, IAUD, Japan and from May 2021 she is the Chair for the Selection Committee of the IAUD International Design Award.

”Everything is possible when we allow the possibilities”

Noora has worked since 2006 in the field of health, education and culture, in the roles of an entrepreneur, an organization employee, a councelor, a coach, and an artist. With her work, she wants to promote inclusivity and possibilities to participate in the society, arts and culture that are accessible to everyone – both as a creator and as the experiencer.

“Providing a service that meets the needs of diverse users is a competitive advantage.”

Sami works as a Key Account Manager and Design for All influencer at Avaava. Sami has many years of experience advocating for barrier-free design and accessibility. As a student, Sami did his thesis on the benefits of the Design for All approach.  Sami works as a project manager in the AccessibleEU initiative and is responsible for planning and organising events in Finland. Born with a hearing impairment, Sami can observe facilities, services and communications from an advantageous vantage point. Sami recharges his batteries by spending time outside, on the sea and exploring the islands.

+358 50 553 8555
sami.virtanen(at)avaava.fi

“Accessibility, barrier-free design and social inclusivity all have the same objective: to make it possible for everyone to flourish and be well.”

Senni is an Accessibility Expert and expert by experience. Studies in special education and social pedagogy, congenital blindness and vast expertise in the field of disability services make Senni a versatile and impressive trainer who has seen a lot.

+358 50 496 1248
senni.hirvonen(at)avaava.fi