Sjónarhóll- Councelling center
- A new resource for parents of children with special needs in Iceland -
Background
Sjónarhólloperates on behalf of the following associations:
- Landssamtökin Þroskahjálp, The national federation for the aid of people with learning disabilities.
- Styrktarfélag lamaðra og fatlaðra, The benefit society of children with disabilities.
- Umhyggja, The national society for the support of children with chronic illnesses.
- ADHD samtökin, The national society for the aid of people with ADHD.
The Aim of Sjónarhóll’s work
- To support parents and other relatives of children with special needs in their demanding role.
- To give professional advice to the parents of chhildren with special needs about their rights and assist them in approaching these rights and making them work.
- To organize cooperation between the social institutions working with the family f. ex. schools, primary health care, hospitals, social service and the municipalities controlling the relevant resources.
- To inform, with the cooperation of relevant others, about children's special needs, rights, assistive technology and other issues of interest with the help of the media, organized courses, a specialized library and the home page www.sjonarholl.net.
- To communicate the issues of the ongoing campaign fought for children with special needs for the improvement of their social situation and their living conditions in the society.
Financing
Sjónarhóllis a non governmental organization. The initial capitalization was collected with a landslide, media assisted, public collection in the autumn of 2003. Three years funding has been insured by the following:
Sjónarhóll– Councelling Center started working in August 2004. Pursuing the dream of a fully developed councelling center for the parents of children with special needs, further financing is needed and sought.
Contact
Reykjavík, February 2005,
Sigurrós Á. Gunnarsdóttir, director
Address: Háaleitisbraut 11-13, 108 Reykjavík
Phone: + 354 5351900 E-mail: sigurros@sjonarholl.net