About accessibility
New obligations arising from the need to ensure accessibility for people with special needs introduced by the Law on Ensuring Accessibility for
People with Special Needs and the Law on Digital Accessibility of Public Entities’ Websites and Mobile Applications.
Does this apply to you?
Are you ready for your new responsibilities?
When is the deadline for implementation of regulations?
Learn about it in our study.
New responsibilities have been imposed on public entities (such as offices, schools, courts, and public medical facilities) to remove or reduce barriers to people functioning with special needs in various areas of daily life.
The goal is to ensure that these people have equal access to the services provided by public institutions and information about the activities of these institutions. This also means easy access to websites and mobile applications.
OPeople with special needs are those who, due to age, limitations in perception, or mobility, are forced to overcome various barriers in their daily lives on their own, requiring additional measures or resources. These may include the elderly or those with mobility impairments. They are also people affected by hearing or vision loss or speech impairment or pregnant women. When it comes to digital accessibility, a person with special needs may be someone who is burdened by a motor skills impairment (e.g., using their mouth to type on a keyboard), hearing or vision difficulties, or cognitive difficulties, such as having dyslexia or struggling with ADHD.
In terms of the regulations, people with special needs are those who, due to their characteristics or circumstances, need to take additional measures or use additional resources to overcome various barriers in order to participate in various spheres of life on an equal basis with others. The regulations do not indicate that the obstacle that affects a person must be permanent, so special needs may also be related to a temporary condition.
Calendar for implementation of obligations under the law
Proclamation of the law
Availability: September 5, 2019.
Digital availability: May 8, 2019.
Law’s entry into force
Availability: September 20, 2019.
Digital availability: May 23, 2019.
Reporting accessibility
Digital accessibility and availability: March 31, 2021.
(then cyclically every 4 years)
Accessibility requests and complaints about lack of accessibility
September 20, 2021.
Inclusion of accessibility obligations in contracts with contractors (e.g. public procurement)
September 6, 2021.
Implementation of full digital accessibility requirements – for websites (including provision of alternative access)
September 23, 2020.
(For websites of public entities not published before September 23, 2018. – September 23, 2019)
Implementation of full digital accessibility requirements – for mobile applications (including provision of alternative access)
June 23, 2021.
Obligation to hire an accessibility coordinator
September 30, 2021.
Alternative access considered as providing accessibility
September 6, 2021.
(24 months after publication of the law)
Ability to apply for accessibility certification
March 6, 2021.
Entry into force of the provisions on the complaint procedure for ensuring accessibility and the possibility of imposing a fine for coercion by the President of PFRON
September 6, 2021.
A new information obligation introduced in Article 12 (1) of the Act of November 6, 2008 on Patient Rights and Patient Ombudsman comes into effect
September 6, 2021.
Do you have any doubts?
If you do not know whether the laws apply to your entity – feel free to contact us, we will answer all your questions.
Founder of the Business Without Barriers Foundation
Adrian Furman
In terms of ensuring accessibility for people with special needs, we are working with the Business Without Barriers Foundation. The foundation started its activity in 2019 and proposes changes that will integrate people with disabilities with social and cultural life.
Within the framework of accessibility, the Business without Barriers Foundation provides extensive support. You can find out more about this by visiting:
https://biznesbezbarier.org/audytDostepnosci
