The rights protection office is an advocate to protect the legal and human rights of disabled individuals and provides them with assistance when their rights are violated. The assistance may consist, for example, of:

• Gathering information on how people's cases are managed and provide recommendations

• Attending meetings with individuals or provide support if people are brought in for questioning to the police

• Monitoring if people's cases are in compliance to the law and ensure that they enjoy equal status as persons before the law

• Providing guidance and assistance in the face of difficulties with person's legal capacity

• Preparing formal complaints and appeals for people on administrative level

• Giving comments to the relevant authorities on systematic violations

The office can also assist disabled people to make an agreement with someone they trust to become their personal spokesperson (persónulegur talsmaður) if they need support to exercise their legal capacity and to be recognized as persons before the law.

On May 1, 2025, the responsibility for protecting the rights of people with disabilities will be transferred to the Icelandic Human Rights Institute.