Description
The main goal of project is develop a standard for minimum accessibility of new development (particularly in the public sector) for people with disabilities. We will examine 250 EU-funded projects completed in 2007-2013. We will check if the principles of equal access and non-discrimination were observed. Never before has this area been subject to any compliance audit or enforcement efforts. The project will be realised in a complementary partnership with the TUS Fundation - a Polish NGO with a long-term experience in social and professional activisation of disabled people, Vis Maior Fundation - the specialist in supporting people with sight disabilities in Poland and Táknsmiðjan ehf from Island bringing into project the experience of supporting the deaf people, i.e. running the internet TV for the deaf community. As a result, we will develop recommendations for new investments funded in the 2014-2020 EU financial perspective and we will train a group of people who will be even more effective in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition, the project will ensure the removal of the most flagrant violations in projects completed in 2007-2013.
Summary of project results
During the years 2007-13 Poland spent PLN 264 billion of EU funding on investment. Unfortunately, the needs of people with disabilities (PD) were mostly overlooked and ignored by the investors, as reported by people with disabilities themselves, as well as by the Supreme Audit Office. Buildings were constructed, which were inaccessible to people in wheelchairs, had no system of navigation for the blind, or any way of communicating with the deaf. So far, nobody has undertaken to examine this area and enforce the principle of equal access and non-discrimination. The project's main objective was to create a minimum standard of accessibility to PD (particularly for public objects), on the basis of the analysis of the EU-financed investments implemented in the years 2007-2013. The audit results were presented in the reports: “Investments for everybody?" and “Can everybody see the same thing?". The project resulted in designing and broadly consulting the minimum standard of accessibility to people with different disabilities. Furthermore, recommendations were prepared for the investments to be implemented in the years 2014-2020, and a group of activists was trained to effectively safeguard the rights of PD. Publications are available from the project's website (entitled “The barrier-free website"). The subject of accessibility has become far more important to the Ministry of Economic Development. The Ministry prepared guidelines and a “Handbook for employees of projects and institutions of the system of implementation of the European Funds 2014-2020", containing a tool for accessibility testing, which was developed by the project. The project was exceptional, in that the minimum standard of accessibility was developed by organisations of people with different disabilities and, consequently, different accessibility needs. Partners brought into the project their knowledge and rich experience in their fields. TUS trained the auditors, co-created the auditing tool and analysed the audits. Vis Maior delivered their knowledge of barriers for people with blindness and impaired vision, as well their synthesising skills, necessary to put together the minimum standard. All partners significantly enhanced their knowledge on accessibility for other groups of people with disabilities.
Summary of bilateral results
On January 8 2016 the Project Promotor sent a letter informing about the Partner's withdraw. The reason submitted was a difficulty in establishing contact with the owner of the Partner company at first, than the inability of engagement in the project activities of the other owner of the company. The resignation has been accepted by the Program Operator. No activities have been undertaken by the Islandic Partner.