Iceland To Build Its First Fully Accessible Public Hot Tub

Today Ramp Up is announcing a partnership with Mosfellsbær to build the first fully accessible hot tub in Iceland.

Ramp Up founder, Haraldur Thorleifsson signs the agreement with Regína Ásvaldsdóttir, the mayor of Mosfellsbær, and Ásmundur Einar Daðason, the Minister of Education and Children.

“Swimming pools are where a lot of people in Iceland go to exercise and socialize,” Says Haraldur, founder of Ramp Up “The hot tub is where life stories are shared and news dissected. But people with disabilities have very limited options in joining in.”

The new hot tub will feature a ramp, allowing wheelchair users to roll directly into the water. Haraldur shared that the project has officially entered the design phase following the signing of a letter of intent with key supporters, including Regína Ásvaldsdóttir, the mayor of Mosfellsbær, and Ásmundur Einar Daðason, the Minister of Education and Children.

Ramp Up is an initiative started by Haraldur – known as Halli – that aims to increase accessibility to those using wheelchairs in Iceland. Currently, Ramp Up is working towards achieving the goal of building 1,500 ramps in Iceland by 2025.