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Accessibility Statement for the Integrated Funding Stream Support System (OSF)

The Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education undertakes to ensure the accessibility of the website in accordance with the Act of April 4, 2019 on digital accessibility of websites and mobile applications operated by public entities. This accessibility statement applies to the website: https://www.osf.opi.org.pl.

Website publication date: 23.9.2020
Last major update: 14.3.2022

The website remains partially compliant with the Act of April 4, 2019 on digital accessibility of websites and mobile applications operated by public entities, due to the incompatibilities and exemptions listed below.

Inaccessible content:

  • Some forms do not contain structure tags
  • In some tables, the header rows do not correspond with the cells; screen readers may be unable to read these tables correctly
  • Some system components may not be accessible from the keyboard
  • Alternative text is absent for some images
  • Some PDF files available on the website are inaccessible to some users, as they include content possessed by a public entity that was not produced by or on behalf of that entity or acquired for that entity, or which adaptation to the requirements of digital accessibility requires changes to which that public entity is unentitled
  • Content published before September 23, 2019 that has not been rebuilt or modified since is inaccessible; this applies in particular to changes in the appearance and structure of the presented information and to the method by which the information is published

Errors and irregularities are continuously corrected as part of the website improvement process.

The website has the following facilities for users with disabilities:

  • visible focus
  • link highlighting

Standard keyboard shortcuts can be used, which are available on popular web browsers. The website does not contain keyboard shortcuts that are potentially incompatible with assistive technologies (e.g. screen reading software), users’ operating systems, or software.

Preparation of the accessibility statement

This statement was made on September 23, 2020.
Last revision of this statement was made on February 22, 2024.
This statement was made on the basis of a self-assessment conducted by employees of the National Information Processing Institute.

Feedback and contact details

In case of difficulties with the accessibility of the website, please contact Rafał Jendrzejewski at: dostepnosc@opi.org.pl, phone 512 014 561.
Requests can also be submitted to obtain inaccessible information and to submit complaints about accessibility.

Everyone has the right to request access to a website, mobile application, or any of its elements. It can also be requested that information be made accessible using alternative means—for example, the reading of a digitally inaccessible document or description of the content of a video that does not have audio description.

Such a request should:

  1. include the contact details of the user submitting the request
  2. indicate which website or element thereof the request concerns
  3. indicate the preferred method of contact with the user submitting the request
  4. when the user who made the request reports the need to receive information by an alternative method of access, they should also specify a convenient way by which the information can be presented.

A public entity should execute the request immediately, and not later than seven days from the date a request was made. If meeting this timeframe is impossible, the public entity shall immediately inform the user who made the request of when the request will be fulfilled. In this case, the timeframe may not be longer than two months from the date a request was submitted. If digital accessibility is impossible, a public entity may propose an alternative way by which the information can be accessed.

In the event that an entity refuses to comply with a request to ensure the accessibility of or alternative access to information, a complaint may be submitted. After exhausting the above procedure, an application may also be submitted to the Ombudsman.

Information on architectural accessibility

Architectural accessibility – ul. Wspólna 1/3

The building is located in the centre of Warsaw, in the district of Śródmieście. It is surrounded by Wspólna, Krucza, Hoża streets and Trzech Krzyży square. The ministerial building can be reached by car or public transport, including by subway (M1 line – Centrum station), by tram (Krucza 05, Krucza 06, Hoża 03, and Hoża 04 stops), and by bus (Pl. Trzech Krzyży 03, Pl. Trzech Krzyży 52, Krucza 01, Krucza 02, Wspólna 01, and Wspólna 02 stops).

The building can be accessed via 3 entrances. The main entrance to the building is from 20 Hoża Street; the building can be also accessed via two entrances from Wspólna Street. Guests should use the main entrance. The main entrance is adapted to the needs of the disabled people using wheelchairs.

The reception desk is located in the lobby, opposite the main entrance. In order to make it possible for deaf people to receive sounds via hearing aids fitted with T coils, the reception desk has been equipped with an audio induction loop system. The reception desk is located opposite the front door and has a station to comfortably serve wheelchair users. To the left of the entrance is a checkroom, and to the right there is a waiting room for guests and waiting persons, equipped with a water dispenser.

In the lobby, above the reception desk, there are electronic information boards, which display data in a contrasting manner, and at a height that can be read by disabled people in wheelchairs or people of low height. Other areas of the building can be accessed only via electronic gates. The gates are wide enough for wheelchair users. Guests and visitors may not move around the building without being accompanied by security guards or members of the staff of the department/office they are visiting.

The building has four elevators that are adapted to the needs of wheelchair users and visually impaired people – the floor keys are illuminated with contrasting colors and are marked with point writing for the blind (Braille). The elevators cabs transmit voice announcements, indicating the location of the elevator and the opening and closing of the doors, and are equipped with retractable chairs. Corridors and rooms are adapted to the needs of wheelchair users at all floors of the building (ground floor and floors 1 through 5). Thresholds between corridors and office rooms are on the same level as the floor. In exceptional cases, the height of thresholds complies with regulations in force and does not exceed 2 cm. In order to make the thresholds more visible, they are marked with high contrast colors.

Two vertical passageways (stairs) are located on the right and on the left side of the building. The first and the last steps of the stairs are marked with yellow warning stripes. Tactile (Braille) legends are embossed on handrails to provide the visually impaired with the information on where the stairs lead to. The inner continuous handrail marks the escape route for the visually impaired, whereas the outer non-continuous handrail marks the regular communication route.

The disabled toilet is located on the ground floor, in the right (eastern) wing of the building. The toilet is equipped with an emergency button to summon assistance and with a toilet seat with armrests that facilitates the use of lavatories.
At the entrance to the parking lot, next to the gate barrier, there is a loudspeaker and a button which can be used by the visually impaired to summon assistance.

One designated disabled parking place is available in the parking lot of the Ministry located in front of the building. Next to the entrance to the parking lot of the Ministry (in Hoża street) two additional disabled parking spaces marked by an upright sign are available to the public. The parking space in the parking lot of the Ministry is integrated with a passageway (sidewalk). The sidewalk leading to the main entrance is lowered to the ground level and adapted to the needs of disabled people. The visibility of the sidewalk curb is increased by high contrast colors. The traffic in the parking lot of the Ministry is handled by security guards who, upon visitors’ requests, provide assistance in using a parking space and accessing the building.

Assistance dogs and guide dogs that accompany visually impaired or disabled people are allowed in all areas of the buildings. The building is not marked with a pictogram informing about this possibility.

The building has signs with information in large print for partially sighted persons (the route leading to the main exit from the building on the ground floor). Two evacuation chairs for disabled and unconscious people are located on the fifth floor of the building.

The building is equipped with an Acoustic Fire Alarm System. Evacuation procedures take into account the assistance provided to people with special needs.

Contact for people experiencing permanent or periodical problems with communication

According to the Act of 19 August 2011 on sign language and other means of communication, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education provides the following methods to contact the office to people experiencing permanent or periodical problems with communication:

E-mail: pomoc@mnisw.gov.pl
Fax: (22) 52 92 792

We encourage to use the ‘Migam’ Translator service, which enables video calls with a sign language interpreter with the use of a web browser, mobile application and any device with a camera, without installing additional software. Access to the service is financed by the Prime Minister’s Office – Ministry of Digital Affairs.

The link to the connection can be found in the upper right corner of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education website (symbol of hands using sign language) or the link below:
‘Migam’ Translator website

The service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Interpreters for Polish Sign Language (PJM), Sign Language System (SJM) and SKOGN are available in the building where the Ministry is headquartered. To take advantage of this service, you must submit your request at least three business days prior to your scheduled meeting at the office.

Documents necessary to handle official matters are provided by the Ministry to authorized persons, in an accessible form, upon their request. Authorized persons are also entitled to be accompanied by an assisting person when they contact representatives of the Ministry.