Vilhjálmur Árnason, Member of Parliament for the Southern constituency, asked all ministries of the Government Office the following questions in close consultation with the chairman of Sjálfsbjörg.
- How does the minister ensure adequate accessibility for people with disabilities to the built environment in the ministry and agencies within the minister's portfolio, as well as to information and data?
- Is there a policy or action plan in the ministry and its agencies on the minister's portfolio regarding accessibility for people with disabilities?
Answers are now starting to come in.
The Government Office itself, where part of the Prime Minister's Office is housed, is reasonably accessible, but the response states that;„ The Government House is a single-story, stone-built house with an attic, erected between 1761 and 1771. The building is fully protected and has high preservation value. Access for wheelchair users is from a parking lot in the backyard via a ramp. It is also possible to enter at ground level through a side entrance on the back of the building, which is conveniently connected to the minister's meeting room. If a person in a wheelchair enters through the main entrance of the building, portable wheelchair ramps are placed on the front steps." In the plans and design specifications for the competition [for an extension to the Stjórnarráðshúsið at Lækjartorg] the Prime Minister's Office's action plan for long-term access to the built environment was published. The same can be said for the ongoing design competition and plans for development on the Stjórnarráðsreitur site, where requirements will also be made in accordance with laws, regulations, and a resolution of the Althingi on accessibility for people with disabilities."“
Most buildings are accessible, although unfortunately, it is often necessary to enter through a back door or get assistance with entry.
The response regarding the residence of the President of Iceland is noteworthy.
„Bessastaðir. In the first months of this year, the President of Iceland and the Prime Minister, in consultation, requested an assessment of the accessibility of the guest reception area at Bessastaðir for people with disabilities, and specifically ways to improve access for wheelchair users and those with mobility difficulties. The results were available in April, and accessibility will be addressed with a platform lift outside the main entrance of the Bessastaðir building and also inside the flower pavilion with a platform lift that bridges the height difference between the pavilion and the building. These improvements are in the process of being completed and will be finished later this year. Work has also been underway to install a restroom for people with disabilities, which is located directly adjacent to the reception hall. The work on the restroom and its immediate surroundings will be completed shortly."“
However, if we look at the response from the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, it turns out that several of its agencies are not accessible.
They are.
- Development Agency
- Transportation Accident Investigation Board.
There is also no marked parking for the Post and Telecommunications Authority.
