The programme will provide children with disabilities and their parents with easier access to public space. It allows to improve the accessibility of existing playgrounds and to create new, more friendly ones. We strive for ensuring that the support for people with disabilities is adequate to their individual needs – says the Minister of Family and Social Policy, Marlena Maląg.

Four modules of action

This year, the „Accessible Public Space” programme consists of four modules:

Module A - is addressed to local government units and their organisational units for the removal of architectural or information and communication barriers. The planned budget of the module is PLN 50.6 million. 

Module B - is dedicated to churches or other religious associations for the removal of architectural or information and communication barriers. The budget of this part of the programme is PLN 12 million.

Module C – it can be used by self-governments or their organisational units, churches or other religious associations and non-governmental organisations of public benefit. The module allows to create accessible playgrounds or improve their accessibility. The total amount of funds in this module is PLN 10.6 million.

Module D – these funds may be applied for, inter alia, by medical facilities listed in the Act on medical activity and commercial law companies with the majority share of the State Treasury. It makes it possible to remove technical, information and communication barriers and to equip with assistive technologies and devices allowing people with disabilities to use the services provided by medical entities. For the implementation of these tasks, a total amount of PLN 6.6 million was allocated.

The mission of the State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled includes creating conditions facilitating the full participation of people with disabilities in professional and social life. Another programme implementing this task is „Accessible Public Space”. The programme starts as early as on 1 May and applications may be submitted electronically via the PFRON Application Generator app. What is important, the co-financing in the individual modules amounts to up to 80% of eligible costs – says Krzysztof Michałkiewicz, President of the Management Board of the State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

PLN 300 million under the multi-annual programme

The implementation of the „Accessible Public Space” programme fits very well into the new look at the social policy proposed by the Law and Justice government. Under the „Accessibility Plus” programme, we remove barriers and adapt public space to the needs of elderly people and people with disabilities. The programme supports areas such as, inter alia, transport, education, health care and digitalisation. By 2025, the value of investments implemented as part of this programme will stand at PLN 23 billion – says the Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy and Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled People, Paweł Wdówik.

The „Accessible Public Space” programme is multi-annual. The total amount of funds in the years 2023-2027 will be about PLN 300 million. The programme is implemented by the State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.