Fatlaða

Fatlaða is the Icelandic term used to refer to people with disabilities. In everyday language it functions as an adjective and as part of noun phrases such as fatlaða fólk or fatlaðir einstaklingar, meaning disabled people. The related noun fötlun denotes disability itself. The term is commonly encountered in law, education, media, and public discourse in Iceland. The language around disability is subject to ongoing discussion about respectful and accurate terminology, including debates over person-first language versus identity-first usage, which communities and individuals vary in preferring.

In legal and policy terms, Iceland is a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and has pursued measures to promote accessibility, equality, independent living, and participation in society. Policies address areas such as education, employment, transportation, and public services, with an emphasis on removing barriers and providing support services to enable inclusion.

Societal aspects include advocacy by disability organizations and movements aimed at improving inclusion and accessibility. Public attitudes can influence the experience of people with disabilities, and efforts continue to reduce stigma, improve universal design, and ensure equal access to housing, healthcare, and civic participation.

The term fatlaða is thus a linguistic marker for the population of people with disabilities in Iceland, embedded in a broader context of rights, services, and ongoing social change.