1000 Ramp Celebration

Guide lines for the blind and visually impaired will be added to the ramps that have already been built and priority will be given to examining and improving accessibility issues in preschools and primary schools.

Reykjavík Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson signs the appendix with Haraldur Thorleifsson.

This is among the things that are stated in the appendix to the agreement between the City of Reykjavík and Ramps Up Iceland that Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson and Haraldur Þorleifsson signed yesterday when the major milestone of one thousand ramps having been built was celebrated.

There was great joy at a celebration held at the home of entrepreneur Haraldur Þorleifsson, who is the driving force behind the Ramps Up project that began in Reykjavík and has now been expanded to the entire country. A large group gathered there to celebrate the one thousandth ramp built at Hitt Húsið, a youth center in Reykjavík.

Vilhjálmur Hauksson, who is among the young people taking advantage of improved access to the Other House, said that one of the best things about the project is that now all kinds of people are starting to think about accessibility issues in a broader context.

Both Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson of Iceland agreed with this. Katrín thanked Haraldur in particular for pushing forward a project that she sees as being about creating a barrier-free Iceland, and President Guðni spoke about the importance of considering intangible aspects in connection with improved access.

Minister of Infrastructure Sigurður Ingi Jóhannesson said that it is interesting for society that it takes entrepreneurs like Haraldur to push forward such important projects. Projects like this are fundamentally about removing barriers, and he says he's ready for the next phase.

Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson said it was amazing that the thousandth ramp was built at Hitt Húsið, where special attention was paid to accessibility issues, but it shows that there is always room for improvement. The City of Reykjavík will hire an accessibility officer at the turn of the year who will review these issues in all public buildings, including premises that temporarily house activities such as temporary premises that are used when classes are moved due to construction.