1. Current operations of Sjalfsbjorg
Role and activities
According to the bylaws of Sjálfsbjörg, the association's mission is to work for the full participation and equality of people with mobility impairments in Iceland, and where applicable, other people with disabilities, and to protect their rights and interests. It is stated that special efforts shall be made to ensure that people with mobility impairments, as well as others, have access to facilities, the environment, education, employment, and information.
It is stated that the main tasks of the association are
- To educate, empower, and support people with disabilities regarding their status in society, in collaboration with the member associations of Sjálfsbjörg.
- To influence the legislature, state and local governments, interest groups, and individuals on issues concerning the interests of people with disabilities.
- To raise public awareness of the issues facing people with disabilities through publishing and promotional activities.
- To collaborate with similar organizations, domestic and international.
- To operate specialized healthcare activities in the field of rehabilitation within a special association, as defined by the Health Services Act No. 40/2007, which provides interdisciplinary, individualized rehabilitation for individuals with mobility impairments and neurological and brain injuries, in accordance with the bylaws on operations established by the board of Sjálfsbjörg upon the recommendation of the board of the healthcare service company.
Sjálfsbjörg is a national organization, or an association of member clubs from across the country. The organization is registered in the corporate register as a non-profit organization. Members of Self-Help's member associations are mobility-impaired individuals and other disabled and non-disabled individuals. Membership in Self-Help is open to associations based on the membership of mobility-impaired people that agree to abide by the association's bylaws.
The Sjálfsbjörg homepage then discusses the organization's activities, stating that Kjarkur Rehabilitation is its largest and most extensive operating unit, but Kjarkur provides interdisciplinary, individualized rehabilitation for individuals with physical disabilities who are dealing with neurological and brain injuries. The goal of the rehabilitation is for individuals to be able to return to life after completing the program. Both day program and 24-hour residential rehabilitation are offered, and maintenance rehabilitation is also provided.
Self-Help also runs the Companion Fund, which is intended to make it easier for people with mobility impairments to travel. The fund provides applicants with a grant for companions on trips, and the grant is awarded once a year.
Sjálfsbjörg also runs the Sjálfsbjörg Knowledge Center, which provides disabled people, family members, businesses, and service providers with unbiased information on a peer-to-peer basis. These include the areas of rights, accessibility, employment and education, welfare, training, and leisure.
Sjálfsbjörg annually publishes a magazine called Klifur.
Under the activities of the national association, it is finally specified that resolutions on various matters, which have been adopted by the national conventions, are issued.
Division of labor between national associations and member associations
According to the bylaws of Sjálfsbjörg, the member associations work on issues concerning people with disabilities in their respective areas. Otherwise, the associations have free rein over their internal affairs and operations, but must operate within the bylaws of Sjálfsbjörg, as well as the resolutions of its national conventions and board of directors. They must also participate in the joint projects of Sjálfsbjargar.
At a strategy meeting in September 2024, which included representatives from the member associations, an effort was made to clarify the activities of the member associations and the division of labor between them and the national organization. Judging by that discussion, the activities of the member associations are varied and of different scopes. Therefore, it is up to the member associations how much they participate in the activities of the national association, in which areas, and what the division of labor will be.
The situation
MBA students in the Strategic Management course at the University of Iceland conducted an analysis of and for Sjálfsbjörg in 2003. In conversations with participants in the organization's strategic planning process, it is believed that various points raised in the analysis are still relevant. This includes inconsistencies in defining Sjálfsbjörg as a national association for the mobility-impaired that nevertheless works for all people with disabilities, and that its mission and bylaws do not align with the organization's actual operations, that the weight of the rehabilitation service in the association's activities is very significant, and likewise the importance of operating the property, as well as that there is varied activity among the member associations and its alignment with Sjálfsbjörg's mission.
At the same time, it is the opinion of those who participated in the current strategic planning that Sjálfsbjörg works on raising awareness of and including people with disabilities, or the projects that fall under items b and c in the chapter on the association's projects in its bylaws, but on the other hand, it is mentioned that Sjálfsbjörg may and can do more there. It is also mentioned that the association provides education, various types of counseling, and improved accessibility, while the operation of the property takes up a great deal of time and energy.
In light of this and based on the outcomes of a strategic planning meeting held with the board, the future committee, and representatives of member organizations in September 2024, the following are proposals for the role, vision, values, and operational components of Sjálfsbjörg's activities. Additionally, the goals and priorities for the association's work for the coming years are defined. The intention is not to fundamentally change the mission or operations, but rather to clarify, prioritize, and simplify the core of the work, with the goal of ensuring the organization's core activities are clear and thus better positioned for success by not spreading its efforts too thin.
2. Mission, Vision, Values, Activities
Role Sjálfsbjargar is working for the full participation and equality of individuals with disabilities* in Iceland.
*There are many causes of mobility impairment. It can be congenital or the result of illness, accidents, or aging. When talking about mobility impairment, it is not only referring to limited or no ability to walk, but also to weakness in the hands and arms, loss of these limbs, or impairment of the body's support system in general."“
Self-Help's Vision that all individuals with disabilities have opportunities equal to others in all areas of life.
Value Self-help is equality, recognition, and empathy.
The activities of Sjálfsbjörg are based on four duties:
- Raising awareness of the social participation of people with disabilities.
- Advocacy for people with disabilities.
- To promote rehabilitation and good quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
- Operations and internal work support and strengthen anticipated activities.
3. Goals and Priorities
It is proposed that the association work toward the following goals and focus on the following issues in the coming years.
Task 1:
Raising Awareness of the Social Participation of People with Disabilities
Objective | Emphasis |
Equality in society | · The community becomes aware that individuals with disabilities are a part of a diverse society. |
· The community has a better understanding of mobility impairment and the diverse challenges that come with it. | |
· Employers know that individuals with disabilities are good workers |
Task 2:
Advocacy for people with disabilities
Objective | Emphasis |
| · Assistive technology legislation should level the playing field for individuals with mobility impairments with those without. |
· Necessary services are accessible, taking into account the specialized needs of individuals with disabilities. | |
Mobility for independent daily living | · ÖBÍ receives support to: |
· Ensure that the pension is not lower than the defined minimum wage and that it keeps pace with wage development, | |
· The pension income of disabled individuals is unrelated to relatives and cohabiting partners | |
· Eliminate reassessment for permanent disability | |
· State-backed student loan debt should be written off for individuals who suffer traumas leading to a significant, permanent impairment of their ability to work and thus earn an income, and they should also be given new loans for retraining for new careers. | |
· Individuals with disabilities continue to enjoy rights in trade unions after an injury or accident that leads to the termination of their union membership. | |
· Disabled individuals have a special pension supplement for the increased costs associated with their disability. | |
Special mortgage terms will be available for individuals with disabilities, taking into account lower income and/or special housing needs. | |
Access to new facilities | · Education on accessibility issues in design education will be strengthened |
· Accessibility requirements will be included in operating and business licenses for permanent and temporary operations. | |
Strengthen the Self-Help representative on user councils, and make user group feedback an integral part of the planning and approval process. | |
The role of municipal accessibility officers should be clarified and strengthened. | |
· Sanctions will be applied to projects that do not comply with the law on universal design and accessibility requirements. | |
Accessibility to older structures | Strengthen legislation and guidance on accessibility for alterations to older buildings and structures. |
Good access to road infrastructure, outdoor recreation areas, playgrounds, highland areas, and fitness facilities and equipment. | |
Accessibility will be a prerequisite for receiving funding from, for example, the Travelers' Construction Fund and the Elderly's Construction Fund. | |
· Increase the access of individuals, institutions, and private entities to funds to improve accessibility in existing buildings. | |
General rights to be equal to others | Push for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities |
Task 3:
Rehabilitation and good quality of life for individuals with disabilities
Objective | Emphasis |
Maximizing physical health | · Physical education teachers and instructors are familiar with the specific needs of individuals with disabilities. |
· Encourage and provide information about good accessibility for individuals with disabilities at fitness centers | |
Sports organizations offer exercise suitable for individuals with disabilities. | |
· Education will be available for individuals with disabilities about the effects of their disability on the body, the necessity of exercise, as well as nutritional counseling on the intake and utilization of food. | |
Enjoy spiritual well-being | · People with disabilities have access to services from psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation, etc., after formal healthcare services end. |
Peer support will be available for individuals with disabilities. | |
· People with disabilities understand the potential impact of their disability on their emotions, sexuality, parenting, behavior, and self-identity. | |
Information and support will be available for those affected by trauma or illnesses leading to mobility impairment regarding their rights and the potential impact on their lives. | |
Active participants in the community | Empowering young people with disabilities |
Analyze which daily activities require assistive devices and provide information about what assistive devices are available and how they are used. | |
To assist and guide colleges and universities regarding accessibility issues to facilitate access for people with disabilities to education. | |
· Grants for necessary workplace adaptations for individuals with disabilities will be available. | |
· Employment agencies must include in job advertisements information about the accessibility of the workplace. | |
· Assistance is available from the Employment Service with job search and job applications |
Task 4:
Operations and internal work support and strengthen anticipated activities.
Objective | Emphasis |
Sustainable finance | Self-Help's fundraising is fully utilized for the organization's advocacy work. |
Rental income covers the operation and maintenance of the properties. | |
Grants will be awarded for specific advocacy projects. | |
Active and accessible human resources | Increase the number of young people working in Sjálfsbjörg and its member associations. |
The member associations will be active in the activities and projects of Sjálfsbjörg. | |
Increase staff to support the association's advocacy work. | |
Suitable housing | The organization's facilities support its operations and finances. |
The association's premises will be fully utilized. | |
Separate the finances of Self-Help and housing operations | |
Review the use of the facility based on current and future needs. | |
Land well used | · Building rights will be sold on the part of the Sjálfsbjörg lot not used by the organization, and the proceeds will be used for the maintenance of the organization's facilities and operations. |
· The use of the land around the Self-Help property will not have a negative impact on the organization's operations. | |
Procedures and organization support maximizing the use of resources. | Clarify the purpose, roles, and responsibilities of member organizations, including in the organization's operations. |
Establish issue or project groups within the national organization. |
4. Division of Labor between Sjálfsbjörg and Member Organizations
When it comes to carrying out the work set forth here, it is the role of Sjálfsbjörg to:
- Organize the association's activities with the goal of prioritizing what is most important, while also ensuring the greatest possible achievement, in accordance with the association's capacity at any given time.
- At the annual meeting each year, propose the priorities for the upcoming year's work, as well as the procedures to be used. This proposal then covers what work the member associations will undertake and in what manner.
- Lead the work and monitor the results achieved.
- Activate the member associations and their members in the work as needed.
- Support the member associations and their members who are involved in the work.
The role of the member associations is then to:
- Participate in the work of Sjálfsbjörg, either at the national level or by carrying it out in one's own community.
- To work together to increase the visibility of the priorities for people with disabilities that this policy sets forth.