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Report on the digital accessibility of universities in Poland: We are a strong leader 21.06.2021 14:39

The West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin was ranked first among the best universities in Poland in terms of digital accessibility. The report was prepared by the Wrocław agency Kinaole Solutions, which examined 50 websites of universities from all over Poland in terms of adapting them to people with various limitations. The Gdańsk University of Technology took second place and the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań came third.

Accessibility means adapting products, services (not only digital ones) and space so that as many people as possible can use them, also people with constraints - permanent, temporary or situational - we read in the prepared report of the Kinaole Solution agency.

The "Report on digital accessibility of universities in Poland" was created based on a study of websites of 50 universities, carried out from February to March 2021. The authors of the study emphasize that none of the non-public universities had a declaration of accessibility, while among public universities as many as 30 have such a declaration.

In the first edition of the report on the accessibility of universities, the best was the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin.

For years, our university has been taking care to adapt the zut.edu.pl website to the needs of people with disabilities, the elderly and those exposed to digital exclusion. We have been awarded three times in the prestigious competition "Website without Barriers" (in 2017, 2108 and 2019). Two years ago, in November, we were among the signatories of the Accessibility Partnership in the Accessibility Plus Program. For several years, we have been conducting regular courses for employees on editing websites, creating accessible e-documents. The administrator of our website and the website coordinator is Anna Czekalska, the rector's representative for digital accessibility - says Mateusz Lipka, the press spokesman of ZUT.

The report is based on the WCAG 2.1 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), which apply to blind, partially sighted, and deaf people. The 16 criteria include, among others: audio description, contrast, non-text content, page title and its language.

For several years, digital accessibility has been my passion. I know perfectly well that it is important for everyone - not only for people with disabilities. Every day I try to motivate ZUT employees to include it in their activities. I conduct courses in the field of digital accessibility. Digital accessibility is a process and requires a solid commitment. I am glad that the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin websites once again bring pride to our university - says Anna Czekalska, Rector's representative for digital accessibility.