Disability

Illustration of a group of laughing children.

The Reykjavík City Human Rights Policy has a section about disability.

It is prohibited to discriminate on the basis of disability

The City of Reykjavík's Human Rights Policy states, among other things, that discrimination against disabled people is prohibited and that disabled people must be guaranteed conditions to actively participate in the city community. Active participation of disabled people in society is considered a fundamental human right that benefits everyone.

 

City of Reykjavík's Accessibility Policy

Reykjavík City's Accessibility Policy is a comprehensive approach addressing accessibility in its broadest sense. It is based on the philosophy of inclusive design, enhancing access to buildings and urban spaces, as well as to information, services, and support

Click here to read more about the Policy

 

Accessibility and Consultative Committee

At the Human Rights & Democracy Office, a specialist works, among other things, on the management of the Accessibility and Consultative Committee for Disabled People, takes actions to combat violence against disabled people as part of the Together Against Violence project, and works with working and steering groups on policy making and/or projects that concern issues of disabled persons each time.

Teikning af fimm manneskjum að spjalla.

City of Reykjavík's Accessibility Policy

The City of Reykjavík's Accessibility Policy was approved at a City Council meeting on May 3, 2022, subject to a cost assessment of measures by the Department of Environment & Planning to be incorporated into the budget planning for the year 2023, along with accompanying documents.

Teikning af fólki að veita og þiggja þjónustu.

Hiring staff with disabilities - information for managers

Here you can find various practical information

Teikning af manneskju sem heldur á nýuppteknu káli.

Rights of disabled people

The rights of disabled people are secured in the constitution, the Act on Services for Disabled People with Long-Term Support Needs No 38/2018, general legislation, as well as numerous international agreements and declarations to which Iceland is a party.

 

The objective of the laws is to ensure that disabled people have access to the best possible service at any given time to meet their specific support needs. The service should aim to provide disabled people with necessary support so they can enjoy full human rights on an equal basis with others and create conditions for an independent life on their own terms.

 

In the delivery of services to disabled people, respect for their human dignity, autonomy, and independence must be maintained. Services according to the law should be based on the individual needs and circumstances of the person, wishes, and other important factors such as gender, gender identity, age, national origin, religion, etc.

 

The Employment Directive of the European Union mandates a ban on discrimination on the grounds of disability and provides that employers make appropriate adjustments when needed in a particular case, to ensure disabled individuals access to employment, participation in work, career advancement, or vocational training.

 

According to the City of Reykjavík's Human Rights Policy, it is prohibited to discriminate against people due to disability in services or employment at the City.

 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted at the UN General Assembly on December 13, 2006. Iceland signed the Convention at the beginning of the year 2007, and it was ratified in Iceland on September 23, 2016

Teikning af upplýstum fartölvuskjá.

Do you need assistance, perhaps due to experiencing violence or suicidal thoughts?

The poster includes contact information for Reykjavík City Service Centers, The Disability Rights Protection Office of Iceland, 112, Stígamót, Bjarkarhlíð, The Women's Shelter, and the Píeta organization for anyone in need of help.

This poster has been distributed at all apartment complexes and workplaces for disabled people managed by Reykjavík City.

Myndin sýnir plakat með upplýsingum um það hvar hægt er að leita hjálpar hafir þú orðið fyrir ofbeldi

Contact us

Human Rights & Democracy Office

Reykjavík City Hall

Tjarnargata 11

101 Reykjavík.

 

 

For additional details about the projects of the office concerning the issues of disabled people, you can contact the Human Rights & Democracy Office.