Niina Gråsten

Niina Gråsten is a University Teacher and Doctoral Researcher in Social Law at the University of Eastern Finland, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Administration and its Department of Law. With a Master of Science degree, she focuses on legal frameworks for disability rights, social services, and support systems for neurodiverse individuals.

• Member of the Welfare Law Center (2018–)
• Liaison for the Child and Family Services Expert Group (LAPE, 2023–)
• Coordinator for internships at the Department of Law
• Participates in the Disability and Human Dignity project (2021–2025)

Her research examines how disability is defined in Finnish legislation and how interpretations affect the realization of rights for neurodiverse individuals. She has published on topics including:

• Autism spectrum and neurodiversity
• Universal design principles
• Legal equality vs. inclusive equity
• Challenges in service accessibility
• Intersection of basic rights and social policy
• Barriers in multidisciplinary collaboration

Gråsten's work addresses systemic gaps in disability support, advocating for:

• Preventive and holistic interventions
• Community-based service models
• Legal frameworks for reasonable accommodations
• Policy alignment with UN Convention on Disability Rights
• Regional disparities in implementation
• Child-centered welfare approaches