A dog woman with unwavering faith in unconventional communication

The spark is to see
that people can do more today than they could yesterday.

Halla Harpa Stefánsdóttir is the Head Occupational Therapist of the Skills Centre.
to Bæjarhraun in Hafnarfjörður. A very capable dog-woman who has made it her life's work.
to train, strengthen and develop methods and approaches that promote the use
non-traditional communication. Halla Harpa decided when she was 10 years old to become
a nurse's aide (which later became the professional title of occupational therapist) and has, since the age of 16, worked on issues concerning disabled people, first
She grew up at the old Kópavogur Asylum, having accompanied her mother in her work there from a young age. She herself worked there for eighteen years in various roles and has no regrets.
in one day and received great opportunities for development and work experience there.

Listen to the programme 

A prim and determined young lady in homemade dresses

Halla Harpa was born a pioneer in Kópavogur but has strong
rooted in Hafnarfjörður where she lived for twenty years before she moved to
Álftanes where she lives today and intends to live her whole life with everyone
to her dogs and cats and husband. Halla Harpa was brought up with great propriety.
and homemade party dresses. She is the youngest of four sisters, and two of them have lived
In America, everything has its life. She travelled young between her sisters to
look after their cousins and considered it a great privilege and an experience to have the opportunity
to travel abroad at this time. 

Always on the ball
the latest technology

Halla Harpa has done a great deal of pioneering work with Bliss.
the language, its development and possibilities, but the Bliss language is an example of a successful and
an interesting approach and method in unconventional communication. She sits on an international
a committee for the Bliss language, thus being directly involved in its development in an international context and
in direct collaboration with the service users themselves and partners who have a significant influence on progress.
to say. Halla Harpa regards communication as a fundamental human right.
and fosters the idea that everyone, from a young age, should have the opportunity to communicate. Thus
No one should start life without being able to express themselves. The fitness centre in Bæjarhraun is one of them.
important and specialised facilities run by the City of Hafnarfjörður. They are visited by
Daily, 23 service users with long-term support needs for work and turning.
The organised services of the Training Centre specialise in training in the use of
of non-conventional communication and in sensory stimulation which leads to an increased quality of life, increased
control over their own lives and to more active participation in society.

Interviews with interesting people
individuals who work for the benefit of the municipality

In The Lighthouse, interesting individuals who work are interviewed.
for the benefit of the town. Thus, the municipality's services are addressed, an interesting topic.
development projects and challenges in a diverse range of fields. The podcast opens at
More detailed coverage of individual projects, services and issues that are high-profile
in the discussion each time. All episodes of Vitans can be accessed on the website.
in Hafnarfjörður, but also on podcast platforms such as Spotify and Simplecast.
and Podcast Addict.