Modernization of elevators in the buildings of the Faculties of Law and Educational Science acoustic booths that will allow for a free break from excess stimuli and increased availability of digital services – including such activities are envisaged in the project ”UwB a university for everyone" for the implementation of which the University of Białystok received over PLN 7.7 million from the National Center for Research and Development, as part of the "Universities increasingly accessible" competition.
The implementation of the project "UwB - a university for everyone" has just started and will last four years.
- It is a response to existing needs in the area of broadly understood accessibility. This is not the first initiative of this type at our university. The University of Białystok has already implemented several projects related to accessibility, e.g. "A Modern University Accessible to Everyone" or universal design. However, the needs are very large and cannot be satisfied with one action. That is why we decided to apply for further financial resources - says dr Patrycja Goryń, Head of the Department of Support for People with Special Needs at the University of Bialystok and project coordinator.
Over PLN 7.7 million was raised for the implementation of the project "UwB - a university for everyone". Its most important goal is to increase the accessibility of the university in all areas of its operation for people with special needs (studying, working, cooperating or otherwise using the offer of the largest university in Podlasie).
The organizational structure will be adjusted and architectural accessibility will be increased. Changes to the infrastructure will be implemented and gaps in communication and information availability will be secured.
- This time, as part of the project, we intend to modernize the elevators in the buildings of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Educational Sciences, and install a totupoint navigation system inside the buildings of the Rector's Office and the Faculty of Educational Sciences. We will also purchase acoustic booths that will allow people on the autism spectrum to rest freely from excess stimuli. The area of digital accessibility will also be a major activity. Together with the Promotion Department, we want to increase the availability of all digital services offered by UwB to our students, employees and external recipients. Training of our staff will also be an important aspect, because apart from infrastructure changes, awareness changes are extremely important. Special meetings have been planned for a minimum of 360 employees at the basic level and a significant package of specialist training - says dr Patrycja Goryń.
The project will be implemented in partnership with the Regional Development Institute Foundation (FIRR) - a non-governmental organization that has been supporting people with special needs and disabilities for many years.
