Signatories of the Partnership for Accessibility support the development of accessibility in Poland

Partnerstwo na rzecz dostępności (the Partnership for Accessibility), an initiative bringing together companies, organisations and institutions involved in developing accessibility in Poland, recently welcomed 10 new signatories:

Koleje Śląskie Sp. z o.o., Winda-Warszawa Sp. z o.o., Nautil Sp. z o.o., DICO S.C., MIRAcle S. J., SIMBA Edukacja i Terapia, Fundacja IMAGO, CG2 Sp. z o.o., the production agency Profi-Art and Accens have joined the 252 partners already involved in the initiative.

At the meeting of the Partnership for Accessibility signatories held on 23 May, participants had the opportunity to present solutions, products and services that support the development of accessibility and the everyday lives of people with disabilities. The presentations can be found on the Partnership's website in the "Sprawdź najlepsze rozwiązania" (See the best solutions) section.

The Partnership for Accessibility continues its work to raise awareness and promote accessibility. One of the key events was a campaign promoting the impact of European funds on the development of accessibility. Advertising spots presenting accessibility initiatives were broadcast on TVP and Polsat from 15 to 28 May 2023, as well as on several radio stations, including Radio RMF, RMF Classic, Polskie Radio Program 1, Polskie Radio 24, Stacje Audytorium 17, Radio Fiat, Radio Eska, VOX and SuperNova. Further broadcasts of the TV and radio spots are planned from 12 to 25 June 2023.

The Partnership for Accessibility is actively involved in initiatives aimed at raising public awareness of accessibility. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, 18 May, many events were held across Poland. A Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) initiative was also organised by Państwowy Fundusz Rehabilitacji Osób Niepełnosprawnych (PFRON, the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons), attended by Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, Deputy Minister of Funds and Regional Policy. The event presented a summary of the activities and achievements of the Accessibility Plus Programme to date, as well as plans for the future, relating both to new regulations on implementing the EU EAA Directive (European Accessibility Act) and to the directions of support in the new 2021–2027 financial perspective.

Other events promoting accessibility have also taken place in recent days. Fundacja Szansa dla Niewidomych organised a conference as part of REHA FOR THE BLIND IN POLAND 2023, which accompanied the World Meeting of Blind and Partially Sighted People and Their Families. The conference presented solutions from the fields of science, technology, architecture, modern rehabilitation and access to culture. At the same time, the International Mobility Conference IMC18 took place, where experts specialising in the rehabilitation of people with visual impairments discussed spatial orientation, independence, mobility and the accessibility of the environment.

Other important events will also take place soon, such as training on managing and coordinating digital accessibility in projects for public administration employees, organised by Centrum Rozwoju Kompetencji Cyfrowych (the Digital Competence Development Centre). Zabrze will host a conference entitled "Implementing and monitoring accessibility in public institutions for people with special needs", co-organised by ZUS and the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy (MFiPR). The next edition of the Accessibility Fair, under the slogan "Professional activity without barriers", will be held in Opole, organised by PFRON, Fundacja Flexi Mind and Politechnika Opolska (Opole University of Technology).

All the latest news on accessibility initiatives can be found on the website of the Accessibility Plus Programme in the News section. We encourage you to follow this information and to take part in initiatives aimed at building a more accessible society.