Access for everyone, even when it snows.

In recent weeks, conditions in the country have been difficult for many. We hear reports that disabled people, who often already struggle with general accessibility, have had to cancel doctor's appointments and access other basic services because it has been difficult, if not impossible, to leave the house. We now make strong demands of developers to design and build based on universal design principles. This simply means that buildings and access to them should be usable by everyone. In light of the conditions in the country, it is worth pointing out that accessibility to the community must not be confined to the weather. Accessibility also needs to be ensured in winter when snow falls heavily and affects mobility.

American legislation as a model?

In this context, it is worth noting that within the ADA, the American legislation on the prohibition of discrimination based on disability, there is a specific clause requiring both public entities and private parties to make appropriate arrangements to ensure that paths, parking spaces, entrances, and public transportation are accessible to disabled people, even when it snows and conditions become difficult. Snow should be cleared from parking spaces, ramps at curbs must be kept clear, and snow should never be piled in disabled parking spaces. It should also be ensured that sidewalks and crossings are consistently accessible and that all entry and exit routes remain free of snow, providing safe and easy access to and from buildings. Of course, there is much more and various other points included in it.

Let's make necessary improvements

I believe we all find this quite obvious and even happens automatically. But unfortunately, that's not the case. With similar legislation to the American one, a complaint route opens up for disabled people if they consider themselves discriminated against in terms of access due to inaction in clearing snow. This has been pointed out in recent days. My opinion, therefore, is that such legislation would be beneficial. In fact, it would act as a catalyst and encourage both the public sector and private entities to ensure accessibility for everyone in all weather conditions and circumstances, all year round. I will continue working on the issue and hope that this is something we can unite around in parliament.

Ágústs Bjarni Garðarsson, MP for Framsókn.

The article was first published on visir.is on 8 March 2022.