DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY
The Silesian Centre for Freedom and Solidarity is committed to ensuring the accessibility of its website in accordance with the Act of 4 April 2019 on the digital accessibility of public entities’ websites and mobile applications.
Date of website publication: 20 October 2017.
Date of last major update: 12 March 2025.
Status of compliance with the Act
The website is partially compliant with the Act of 4 April 2019 on the digital accessibility of public entities’ websites and mobile applications due to non-compliances or exemptions. This declaration was prepared on the basis of a self-assessment conducted by the public entity.
Non-accessible content
The website lacks alternative descriptions and titles for images and graphics, as well as audio description or text alternatives for videos. The website does not include a site map.
Exemptions
Multimedia published before 23 September 2020 are exempt from the obligation to ensure accessibility.
Keyboard shortcuts
Standard keyboard shortcuts can be used on this website.
Feedback and contact information
If you encounter accessibility issues with the website, please contact us. The contact person is Anna Szewczyk, email: anna.szewczyk@scwis.pl. The same contact method may be used to request access to unavailable information or to request digital accessibility.
Information on the appeal procedure
Everyone has the right to request digital accessibility of a website, mobile application, or any of their elements. One can also request that information be made accessible using an alternative method, for example by reading a digitally inaccessible document aloud or describing the content of a video without audio description. A request should include the requester’s contact details, specify which website or mobile application it concerns, and indicate the preferred method of contact. If the requester needs information to be provided in an alternative form, they should specify their preferred method.
The public entity should fulfil the request immediately, no later than within 7 days of receiving it. If the deadline cannot be met, the public entity must promptly inform the requester when the request can be fulfilled, which must not exceed 2 months from the date of submission. If digital accessibility cannot be ensured, the public entity may propose an alternative means of accessing the information. If the public entity refuses to fulfil the request to ensure accessibility or an alternative method of access, the requester may file a complaint regarding the digital accessibility of the website, mobile application, or one of their elements.
After exhausting all available options, a complaint may also be submitted to the Ombudsman of the Republic of Poland.
ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY
SILESIAN CENTRE FOR FREEDOM AND SOLIDARITY
38 Wincentego Pola Street
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
When visiting the permanent exhibition, people using wheelchairs, people who are blind or visually impaired, people on the autism spectrum, and individuals with other mental or intellectual disabilities are advised to visit accompanied by an assistant/carer or with a guide. The facility can mute selected parts of the exhibition (upon prior notification at the reception desk) to reduce sensory stimuli.
The accessible toilet has been closed during the ongoing expansion of the SCWiS building until December 2025 due to its location in the area under reconstruction. On the ground floor, to the right behind the cloakroom, there are two toilets: women’s and men’s. The width of the entrance and internal doors is 0.9 m, and the door width of each stall is 0.8 m. Dimensions of the women’s stall: width 1 m, depth 1.1 m. Dimensions of the men’s stall: width 1.15 m, depth 1.1 m.
THE BUILDING
The Silesian Centre for Freedom and Solidarity is located in a former industrial building at the KWK Wujek site, directly aligned with the development line along Wincentego Pola Street. A pavement runs along the building, separating it from the roadway.
There is one designated parking space for visitors, marked with a special symbol, located about 50 metres from the building, opposite the main entrance. Across from the institution, there is also a designated parking space for people with disabilities, approximately 25 metres from the main entrance. Access to the building is via a pedestrian crossing.
The approach to the building has been designed with profiled paving made of concrete blocks, leading up to the entrance level. A gently sloping ramp has been built, allowing equal access for all users from both sides. From the street side, the height difference relative to the roadway has been secured with a railing and a concrete palisade bumper. Beyond the ramp area at road level, the curb has been lowered, allowing access to the pavement.
MAIN HALL (GROUND FLOOR)
There are no level differences in the main hall. The hall includes a reception desk with a partially lowered counter, enabling full access to services, as well as a waiting area with seating, a cloakroom, and toilets. The hall features a multimedia board that introduces visitors with disabilities to the exhibition. It includes a guide recorded in medium shot who explains in Polish Sign Language (PJM) how to explore the exhibition.
CIRCULATION AREAS
The main communication area is located directly next to the entrance hall. This zone includes a 3-flight staircase and a lift. Public toilets are located nearby. Warning fields are placed near the stairs. Handrail grips are marked with floor numbers, including information in Braille. The exhibition on the underground and ground floors ends with a single-flight staircase that leads to the next exhibition level. In order for people with reduced mobility to see the entire exhibition, it is necessary to return to the beginning of each floor’s exhibition area to use the lift to reach the next level.
PERMANENT EXHIBITION (LOCATED ON THREE FLOORS)
At the entrance to each level of the permanent exhibition, tactile maps are installed, showing the floor plans with walls, reception, cloakroom, toilets, staircases, exhibition route, and the audiovisual room. The exhibition is multisensory, encouraging active participation. The exposition includes interactive walls engaging visitors to activate elements by touch—for example, maps that provide information when touched. Interactive screens are placed throughout the exhibition and require touch to play and/or read information in Polish or English. Large typography is used in multimedia interfaces and graphics, following the principle of at least 1 cm letter height for viewing from 1 metre. The fonts used ensure good readability, and the text is highly contrasted—for example, yellow letters.
Wherever show activation switches are installed, a QR code plate is placed linking to an online video, in which a sign language interpreter conveys the content of the show presented by the narrator in Polish Sign Language (PJM).
Information boards in Braille are available for blind visitors, as well as induction loops transmitting the sound of each show as a unified audio track from all channels.
The entire exhibition includes background music.
In selected display cases, segments have been opened without protective glass. These segments contain objects that visitors may handle, such as Citizens’ Militia helmets and batons.
Application for ensuring architectural and information-communication accessibility
A request for accessibility may be submitted by a person with special needs or their legal representative. After demonstrating a factual interest—that is, a real need to use the institution’s services—the person has the right to apply to the institution for architectural or information-communication accessibility.
The request for accessibility should include:
- Contact details of the applicant;
- Indication of the barrier hindering or preventing accessibility in architectural or information-communication terms;
- Indication of the method of contacting the applicant;
- Indication of the preferred method of ensuring accessibility, if applicable.
Deadline for processing:
- Accessibility in the scope specified in the request must be ensured without undue delay, but no later than 14 days from the date of submission.
- If accessibility cannot be ensured within 14 days, the Centre must promptly inform the applicant of the reasons for the delay and specify a new date, not exceeding 2 months from the date of submission.
- If accessibility cannot be ensured in the scope specified in the request, the Centre is obliged to propose an alternative solution and provide justification.
Submitting the request
The request may be submitted:
- By traditional mail – sent to: Silesian Centre for Freedom and Solidarity, 38 Wincentego Pola Street, 40-596 Katowice
- By email – sent to biuro@scwis.pl
- In person at the Centre’s office
Case handling is carried out during the secretariat’s working hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.