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

The Polish Ministry of Education and Science 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.

This statement was made on March 14, 2022.
This statement was made on the basis of a self-assessment conducted by a public entity.

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 mail department office is to the right and the cloakroom is to the left of the main entrance. In the hall there are notice boards which can be easily identified by contrast colors. The boards are hung at a height making it convenient for wheelchair users and short persons to read them. 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 for whom a tactile legend have been embossed on floor level buttons (the Braille alphabet). The elevators do not support voice messages that inform on floor levels and opening and closing of the elevator door. 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 and evacuation chairs. Evacuation procedures take into account the assistance provided to people with special needs.

Architectural accessibility – al. J.Ch. Szucha 25

The building is located in Warsaw, in the district of Śródmieście and is surrounded by the following streets and avenues: ulica Litewska, Aleja Jana Chrystiana Szucha, Aleje Ujazdowskie, and Aleja Armii Ludowej (Trasa Łazienkowska). The ministerial building can be reached by car or public transport, including by subway (M1 line – Politechnika station), by tram (Plac Unii Lubelskiej stop), and by bus (Pl. Unii Lubelskiej 03, Litewska 02, Pl. Na Rozdrożu 01, Pl. Na Rozdrożu 03, Pl. Na Rozdrożu 05, and Pl. Na Rozdrożu 06 stops).

Guests should use the main entrance from Al. J.Ch. Szucha 25. Disabled people who use wheelchairs can access the building via the main entrance or via gate No. 1. The main entrance gate and gate No. 1 are equipped with intercoms, allowing visitors to contact security guards for any necessary information or assistance in accessing the building.

Visitors can park their vehicles in the parking lot located in front of the main entrance once the parking bollards have been lowered and the parking spaces have been indicated by security personnel. Disabled people should notify the Ministry staff of their need to park their vehicles in the main courtyard ahead of time. An additional disabled parking place marked in blue is available to the public in front of the building for their convenience. Another disabled parking space marked with the so-called envelope is available to the public across the street at 16, J. Ch. Szucha Avenue.

The double-leaf entrance door of the building is adapted to accommodate the needs of wheelchair users. The door is not automated; it must be opened and closed by a security guard to ensure wheelchair accessibility. The cloakroom is located to the right, and the reception desk with a lowered counter is situated to the left of the ground floor entrance hall. The receptionists provide visitors with all the necessary information regarding the various support services offered by the Ministry and inform the Ministry staff of any visitors who have come to attend a meeting or event.. 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. Access control gates installed in the entrance hall are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, providing a safe and convenient entryway for those with mobility impairments.

Security guards help disabled people access the floor where the elevators are located (high ground floor). They also utilize wheelchair stair climbers and ramps to assist individuals with mobility impairments in ascending the stairs to one of the two passenger elevators. The service elevator facilitates access to all levels of the building, including the parking level. The elevators are not equipped with any audio-visual systems but have tactile legends (the Braille alphabet) embossed on the floor level buttons. The elevators are not fitted with special seats for the visually impaired.

The surfaces of the passageways inside the building are flat and even. The contrasting colors of the floors and walls allow people with disabilities to easily distinguish between the two surfaces. All doors and passageways in the building are designed to meet the needs of individuals with mobility impairments.

The disabled toilet accommodating the needs of the wheelchair users is located on level 0 of the building.
Assistance dogs and guide dogs that accompany visually impaired or disabled people are permitted in all areas of the buildings. All visitors and guests waiting at the reception desk may only enter other areas of the building if they are accompanied by Ministry personnel. Visitors can also be escorted to designated rooms by security guards.

No other Braille symbols appear inside the building except for the ones in the elevators. The building lacks any contrast markings or large-print information for blind and partially sighted individuals.

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 Education and Science provides the following methods to contact the office to persons experiencing permanent or periodical problems with communication:
SMS: +48 601 673 461
Fax: (22) 52 92 792
E-mail: pomoc@mein.gov.pl
Skype: Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki

You can also 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. Click on the symbol of hands using sign language on the website of the Ministry of Education and Science or the link below:
‘Migam’ Translator

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.