Statement of accessibility

What is the Declaration of Accessibility and what is its significance?

A statement of accessibility is a document required by the Law of April 4, 2019 on digital accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public entities , which implements into Polish law the provisions stemming from the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2016/2102. Its aim is to provide transparency on the digital accessibility of public entities’ websites and mobile applications, and to support users in accessing information or reporting problems they encounter.

The importance of the Statement of accessibility

The accessibility declaration serves several key functions:

1. Information
   This document clearly defines the extent to which a website or mobile application complies with the accessibility requirements of WCAG 2.1 at level AA. This lets users, including people with disabilities, know if they can use the site without barriers.
2. Public accountability
   Public entities are obliged to inform citizens about the state of accessibility of their services, which builds trust and ensures greater transparency in the activities of institutions.
3. User Support
   Declaration allows users to report accessibility problems and explains the appeal procedure in case the problem is not resolved.
4. Fulfillment of legal obligations
   Lack of a published statement of availability or its incompleteness may result in legal sanctions and negative image consequences.

What information does the Statement of accessibility contain?

The accessibility statement usually includes:

• Information on compliance with the Digital Accessibility Act, including a description of compliance with WCAG 2.1.
• The dates of publication of the website, its last update and the creation of the declaration itself.
• A description of inaccessible elements, if any, with an explanation of why they have not been adjusted.
• Contact information for reporting accessibility problems (e-mail address, telephone or other contact channels).
• An appeals procedure through which a user can file a complaint if there is no response to a request.

Consequences of publishing or not publishing the Declaration of Accessibility

1. Meeting the legal obligation
   Publication of accessibility declarations is mandatory for all public entities in Poland. This includes public administration bodies, local governments, schools, universities, as well as other institutions carrying out public tasks.
2. Improving the image of the institution
   Publishing a full and transparent accessibility statement shows that the institution cares about the needs of all citizens, including people with disabilities.
3. Sanctions for non-compliance
   Failure to publish a declaration or failure to comply may result in financial penalties or a summons to bring the site into compliance immediately.
4. User facilitation
   With the declaration, people encountering accessibility problems can more easily submit comments and receive support in accessing content.

Significance for users

The accessibility declaration is not only a formal obligation, but also an enabling tool for user support:

• Understand what features and content are available on the site.
• Effectively report problems that may hinder the use of the service.
• Using alternative communication paths if the service does not meet accessibility standards.

The Declaration of Accessibility is an important element of digital inclusivity efforts. It is an expression of the responsibility of a public institution and a tool that promotes equal access to information and digital services for all users. The publication of such a document and its regular updating is not only an obligation under the law, but also an action that is part of the standards of modern and open public institutions.