The €2 million fund has been set up as a result of an initiative taken by the Duna-Mecsek Regional Development Foundation, which has been set up by the Paks Nuclear Power Plant to support regional development projects.
The fund supports projects and initiatives helping physically disabled people participate in society by implementing universal design and thus making buildings and public spaces obstacle-free, accessible, usable and effective for everyone. The fund is focused on the region surrounding the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which is home to 132 000 people living in 60 villages or settlements.
Universal design is a principle focusing on making buildings and spaces easily accessible to everyone, be it through enabling step-free access, removing obstacles or improving the visibility and accessibility of information signs.
As of June 2010, 21 projects are supported through the fund. By addressing poor infrastructure and making public buildings such as schools, health care institutions and local government offices available and accessible to disabled people, their access to public services and their participation in the labour market are greatly enhanced.
