Disabled people's perspectives and experiences guide new policy

Ritstjórn
Aerial view of Reykjavík looking over the city center, with Hallgrímskirkja in the middle of the frame.

Yesterday, the City Council approved a new disability affairs policy covering 2026 to 2036. This framework plays a key role in expanding services for disabled people, using clear, targeted actions to foster independence, community participation, and quality of life.

The policy covers disabled adults and the services provided by Reykjavík City's Department of Welfare. It is grounded in the City's Welfare Policy, current legislation, regulations, international commitments, and the broader municipal framework. 

Strong emphasis placed on consulting with disability organizations and stakeholders

The policy stems from a steering group launched in October 2025 to shape the framework, establish a future vision, and prioritize key initiatives. This steering group brought together elected representatives, Reykjavík City specialists, and leaders from prominent disability and advocacy organizations, including ÖBÍ Rights Organization, Geðhjálp Association, Landssamtökin Þroskahjálp, and NPA miðstöðin. This supported the perspectives and lived experiences of disabled people and their immediate family served as guiding principles throughout the drafting process. The framework also underwent an open consultation process inviting official statements from the public and stakeholders. The steering group received, reviewed, and incorporated 12 official statements before finalizing the document.

The new policy centers on five core priorities: 

  1. Support that is flexible, professional, and geared toward greater independence and participation. 
  2. Housing and accommodation that upholds self-determination and ensures diverse living options.
  3. Independent living that gives disabled people genuine control over their own lives and services. 
  4. Accessibility in the broadest sense — covering the environment, services, and information. 
  5. Employment that promotes diverse, flexible opportunities for work and activity. 

Through these priorities, the policy seeks to achieve its ultimate goal: ensuring disabled people can live independent, fulfilling lives on their own terms and actively participate in their communities. 

Next step: developing a timed, costed action plan

Following the policy's approval, the welfare division was tasked with creating a timed and costed action plan based on the priorities and measures set out in the accompanying action document.

The steering group focused on crafting a comprehensive framework and defining high-level strategic priorities rather than drafting a detailed action plan simultaneously. Consequently, a timed and costed action plan was not presented alongside the policy. 

A better environment for everyone

Sanna Magdalena Mörtudóttir, chair of the Welfare Council and the steering group, hopes the policy will improve conditions for disabled people in Reykjavík. "It has been truly rewarding to work with this group and with people who have firsthand experience with these issues. Reykjavík City's goal is to ensure full accessibility for disabled people — making concepts like the winter 'isolation period' and 'access anxiety' relics of the past. That means putting universal design into practice — creating spaces that work for everyone — with a clear focus on improving the built environment for all residents. Now the vital next step is executing this policy and making it a reality."