May 21 - Institute for the Blind, Iceland

Lyle and I are in Iceland, and so today in Reykjavik it was natural for us to visit the Icelandic National Institute for the Blind.  As it turned out, the Institute itself is a government run agency, and was not particularly interesting to us.  Instead, in the same building, we visited the Icelandic Organization of the Visually Impaired.  It was here that we had a most informative chat with Baldur.  He explained that this organization has more to do with advocacy and accessibility.  The agency promotes for the needs of blind and visually impaired people and transmits these needs to the afore mentioned government institute.

From speaking with Baldur, I learned that blind Icelandic clients have access to free public transit.  They usually only need to show their white cane or be accompanied by their service dog.  Discounts for guides or clients in other areas such as concerts or theatres and still a grey area and are up for debate and negotiation.

We inspected the store items and I purchased a small button showing the traditional stickman and white cane.  It is certainly a more recognizable symbol than the piece of Braille broccoli shown on the CNIB insignia at home!

We re enjoying our time here and will write more about Iceland in future posts.