EAA Directive – project for your company

EAA compliance can also create tangible business benefits, including access to new customers (80 million people in the EU / 6 million in Poland), lower costs (accessible design can be 3–5 times less expensive when incorporated from the outset), financial benefits (including potential reductions in PFRON contributions), lower legal risk, and higher online sales potential.

Participation Rules

As part of the project, the following activities will be carried out:

• assessment of compliance and preparation of an accessibility declaration for products and services;
• accessibility audit of a website, online store or mobile application;
• audit of digital documents used in HR processes, including recruitment, employment, remuneration and employee development;
• audit of digital documents used in sales and customer service processes, including contracts, terms and conditions, and user manuals.

In addition, companies may verify whether they are eligible to reduce their PFRON contributions. For example, a company employing 100 people may potentially reduce its costs by approximately PLN 20,000 per month.

The project also provides support in creating an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities by combining HR, DEI and compliance objectives with ESG principles and corporate social responsibility.

Funding: 100%

The project is financed under de minimis aid. A company may receive more than PLN 100,000 in support.

Development Activities Available Under the Project

• General training: BUSINESS WITHOUT BARRIERS – Investing in Diversity That Pays Off (programme attached) – 8 hours
• Specialist training: DIVERSITY IN PRACTICE – How to Implement the EAA and Attract More Customers (programme attached) – 10 hours
• Consulting: 11–15 hours × number of employees

Target Group

A maximum of 30 participants from one company may take part in the project.

Participants may include employees and managers employed under an employment contract or appointed/nominated to their positions in micro, small, medium-sized and large enterprises.

Eligible participants may include:

• managers;
• IT and product teams;
• software developers;
• UX/UI designers;
• software testers;
• project managers;
• employees responsible for applications, websites, sales systems and customer service systems;
• communications, marketing and PR teams;
• customer service teams;
• procurement and business development departments;
• HR and training specialists.

Project website:
https://dyrektywaeaa.certes.pl

Activities Carried Out Under the Project

• Adapting websites, applications, payment terminals and ticket machines to WCAG accessibility standards, including subtitles for video content, keyboard navigation, clear and understandable content, and appropriate colour contrast.
• Ensuring accessible sales and customer service processes, including subtitles, audio description and alternative forms of communication such as chat, email or Polish Sign Language (PJM) interpretation.
• Verifying the accessibility of PDF files, manuals, terms and conditions, and commercial offers, including the correct use of headings and alternative text.
• Assessing the accessibility of employee documentation, including recruitment materials, contracts and employee development processes, as well as agreements with business partners and procurement documentation.
• Supporting employees with different needs by introducing flexible working arrangements, ergonomic workstations and assistive technologies.

Benefits of Participating in the Project

• Accessibility certification. You will be prepared for an accessibility certification process, similar to ISO certification, with our support as a certification body.
• Improved online visibility. You will receive an accessibility audit report for your website or online store. A more accessible website can improve user experience, online visibility and marketing effectiveness.
• Access to more customers. Your products and services will become more accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, older people and neurodivergent customers.
• A stronger position in public tenders and EU-funded projects. Accessibility is increasingly an important or mandatory requirement in public procurement and EU-funded projects.
• Lower costs and reduced risk. You may be able to reduce or avoid certain PFRON contributions and lower the risk of financial penalties related to accessibility requirements.
• A stronger brand and improved ESG compliance. You will implement standards that strengthen your employer brand, support an inclusive workplace culture and contribute to ESG reporting.

Steps Required to Obtain Funding

• Agree on the dates of the training sessions and consulting activities and organise the entire process.
• Complete the “Dane_EAA” attachment. In the “Company Details” tab, provide information regarding employment, sales revenue and company assets in cooperation with the Chief Accountant and HR department.
• Select and enter eligible employees in the table. Participants must be employed under an employment contract, regardless of their working time, or be members of the Management Board appointed or nominated to their positions. A company may register a maximum of 30 participants and a minimum of 5.
• Provide information on personal and capital links. This includes, for example, whether a Management Board member also serves on the management board of another company, or whether your company owns more than 25% of another enterprise, or another enterprise owns more than 25% of your company. This information should be prepared in cooperation with your legal department.
• The Foundation will prepare the full set of required documents and provide them to your company for signature.

If your company works with large enterprises or public institutions, implementing accessibility principles is not only a compliance requirement, but also a business opportunity. It can help your company remain a trusted and reliable partner and service provider.