« The joy was on the wheel all the way »

Now 1,756 ramps have been installed with the various buildings under the auspices of the project ramps Iceland. The dedication of the last ramp was celebrated in front of the main building of the University of Iceland today, as soon as the harvest festival was held in the school's festival hall because of the turning point.

The aim of the project was to improve the accessibility of people with disabilities to buildings by installing 1,000 rams – which was then increased to 1,500. The total number of ramps therefore far exceeded those plans.

The project has been carried out at a high speed since it began in the fall of 2021 and is now completed, a year before schedule.

« The joy gave us much further than the most optimistic predictions »

This great effort began as an experimental project under the heading Rampar up Reykjavik in 2021, which involved building 100 rams in the city center. When they were completed in just eight months, it became clear that it was possible to take the project further.

In 2022, it was therefore decided to build 1,000 rams all over the country in four years. That plan was changed to 1,500 frames in the same year and then continued due to urgent needs and now the ramps have reached 1,756, a year ahead of schedule.

The project has had a positive impact on the quality of life of many. This has been systematically working to make buildings more accessible to everyone. Up to this point, most of the ramps have been built on private buildings, but the last phases of the project have been in collaboration with public bodies.

« By working with countless parties, everywhere from the community, we built 1,756 ramps. There are 1,756 places that people who use wheelchair can now start eating, learn, laugh, shop, kiss, live. The joy was at the wheel all over the trip and the joy gave us much further than the most optimistic predictions. Thanks to us, « said Haraldur Ingi Þorleifsson, founder of the project when he traced its history and influence at UI today.

Says accessibility of the most influential societal equalizer

The event began with the dedication of the last and most impressive ramp at the main building of the University of Iceland. Then took over the program in the UI festival hall where the sponsors and guests came together and welcomed this significant phase.

At the festival, a number of people who have joined the project in one way or another performed addresses, Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, former President of Iceland, Eyjólfur Ármannsson Minister of Transport and Local Government, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, former Prime Minister, Dagur B. Eggertsson, Member of Parliament and former mayor of Reykjavik, Jón Atli Benediktsson,

With music, KK, children at Bakkaborg kindergarten and members of the Reykjavík Lúðrasveit.

“Accessibility is a fundamental issue in the university work, because equal access to university education also involves equal access to the opportunities of society and the business community. Thus, accessibility issues in schooling are some of the most influential social netting tools available. I understand that in the campus one has been made a whole 210 ramps in this effort, ramping Iceland. It is less important, « said Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland.

Continue to promote improved accessibility

The ramp that was dedicated today at the UI's main building is the largest than on the website rampur.is contains information on all the ramps that have been erected and other things that the rampage is concerned.

Although construction is now completed, the group that is currently working on the project continues to carry out special projects that promote improved access, including infrastructure in Lágafellslaug in collaboration with Mosfellsbaer and to restaurants at Geirsgata in collaboration with the City of Reykjavik.

This urgent project would not have been realized without the support of a number of companies, institutions and individuals who have plowed their hands. Among those who have supported the project are: Municipal Equalization Fund, Haraldur Þorleifsson, Össur, Deloitte, Brandenburg, Aton, Lex Law Firm, BM Vallá, Icelandair, Orkan, ÞG works, Self -Björg, ÖBÍ, the City of Reykjavik and many others, as can be seen. rampur.is.