Some points from the history of Sjálfsbjörg

The first Self-Help Society was founded in Siglufjörður on June 9, 1958. Later that same year, Self-Help Societies were founded in Reykjavík, Ísafjörður, Akureyri, and Árnessýsla.

Five Self-Help Societies then founded a national federation on June 4, 1959, in Reykjavik and called it Self-Help, National Federation of the Disabled (The name was changed in 2016 to Sjálfsbjörg National Federation of the Disabled). Its first chairman was Emil Andersen, and he served as chairman for one year.

Later in 1959, Self-Help Societies were founded in Bolungarvík and in the Westman Islands. In 1960, a Self-Help Society was founded in Húsavík, in 1961 in the South-West, and in 1962 in Sauðárkrókur.

First National Congress of Sjálfsbjörg was held in Akureyri in 1960 in the association's new own facility, Bjarg. A resolution was adopted that the Heritage Fund would henceforth support the construction of work and community centers for the disabled through loan services. The construction of the Sjálfsbjörg House at Hátún 12, Reykjavík, was later partially financed with a contribution from the Heritage Fund. Theodór A. Jónsson was elected the second chairman of the national federation in 1960 and served as chairman for 28 years.

Disabled People's Association of Iceland ÖBÍ was founded in 1961 at the initiative of Ólöf Ríkharðsdóttir, secretary of Sjálfsbjörg lsf. The founding members, in addition to Sjálfsbjörg, the National Federation of the Disabled, were the Blindrafélagið, the Blindravinafélag Íslands, SÍBS, the Styrktarfélag lamaðra og fatlaðra, and the Styrktarfélag vangefinna. Since then, Sjálfsbjörg has been actively involved in the activities of ÖBÍ and has had board members there almost continuously. Two chairpersons of ÖBÍ have been representatives of Sjálfsbjörg. The former, Ólöf Ríkarðsdóttir, was the first representative of Sjálfsbjörg to be elected president of ÖBÍ (1994-1998), and Þuríður Harpa Sigurðardóttir was then elected president of ÖBÍ in 2017 (she was then the vice president of Sjálfsbjörg). Also of note, Gudmundur Magnússon – an active member of Sjálfsbjörg for many years – was elected chairman of ÖBÍ from 2009 to 2013, then as a representative of the SEM association. In 2022, the organization received a new logo and its name was changed to ÖBÍ – Rights Association. In 2023, Alma Ýr Ingólfsdóttir was elected chairperson, representing Sjálfsbjörg.

Sjálfsbjörg, the National Federation of the Disabled, becomes a full member of the Nordic Cooperation of the Disabled., Nordic Disability Federation (NHF) in 1963 and has been active there ever since. That year, the national association's 5th annual congress was held, and on that occasion, the member associations gave the national association a carved ivory gavel by the sculptor Ríkarð Jónsson. The artist's design for the organization's emblem was carved into it, along with a motto that served as his encouragement to Self-Help Societies: ",Always sail upwind, eye the summit, climb the highest peak.”.

Construction begins on the building The Self-Rescue House in 1966 after the City of Reykjavik had allocated the organization the lot at Hátún 12. The construction of the first phase of the building was completed in 1968. In 1973, the first residents moved into the building. The building was then further expanded. The swimming pool wing was opened in 1981, and a new two-story building was constructed at the east end of the property. It was opened in 1988 and initially housed the Aid Equipment Bank.

The Self-Help Home (SBH) It began operations as soon as the Self-Help House was ready, in 1973. Its operations have since grown and thrived, undergoing several changes over the years. It was first named the Self-Help Work and Residence Home, but in 1995 the name was changed to the Self-Help Home. Reference is made to a special chapter which tells more about the history of SBH.

Self-help societies were founded in Stykkishólmur and Akranes in 1970, and in Neskaupstaður in 1974.

Sports Association for the Disabled in Reykjavik (ÍFR) was founded in 1974 at the initiative of Sjálfsbjörg lsf. and the IOC, and in 1992 the club opened a new sports hall that was built on the northern part of the lot at Hátún 10-12. The parcel of land that was jointly owned by ÖBÍ and Sjálfsbjörg was assigned the address Hátún 14. Sjálfsbjörg and ÍFR have had a good partnership ever since.

The Assistive Technology Bank was founded by Sjálfsbjörg lsf. and the Icelandic Red Cross in 1975. The company was first housed at Nóatún 21 in Reykjavík, but later moved into its own facility at Hátún 12 (the lower level of a newly built house on the easternmost part of the lot). In 1995, the Assistive Device Bank was sold to Össur hf. when the state established an assistive device service as part of the national health insurance program.

Self-rescue organized a,"Equal Rights March" of the disabled In 1978, for the Year of the Disabled, about 10,000 people participated in a march and rally to emphasize the issues and rights of people with disabilities.

A Self-Help Society was founded in East Húnavatn County in 1981, in 1984 in Höfn in Hornafjörður, and the sixteenth Self-Help Society was founded in Vopnafjörður in 1991.

,,Well-wishers”The Self-Help Supporters were established in 1993 following a special fundraising campaign. These are numerous individuals from across the country who agree to contribute a fixed amount to support the organization, either once or multiple times a year, thereby becoming special supporters of the organization. To refresh the list, another campaign was then launched in 2016 to increase the number of Friends and strengthen the association's membership, which was successful.

Association of Stroke Survivors (later Brain injury) became a member of Sjálfsbjörg lsf. in 1996. The associations within the national federation had then become 17. Heilaheill withdrew from the organization in 2011 and subsequently became a direct member of ÖBÍ.

Chairpersons of Sjálfsbjörg, the National Federation of the Physically Disabled (-Disabled):

Emil Andersen 1959 – 1960
Theodór A. Jónsson 1960 – 1988.
Jóhann Pétur Sveinsson 1988 – 1994.
Guðríður Ólafsdóttir 1994 – 1998.
Arnór Pétursson 1998 – 2004.
Ragnar Gunnar Þórhallsson 2004 – 2010.
Grétar Pétur Geirsson 2010 – 2016.
Bergur Þorri Benjamínsson 2016 – 2022
Margrét Lilja Aðalsteinsdóttir 2022 – 2024

Thuríður Harpa Sigurðardóttir 2024 –