Helping People Connect
The Communication Centre for People with Disabilities is part of a government initiative aimed at ensuring equal access to communication support across Poland. The programme will create a nationwide network of 16 regional centres, with Poznań becoming the second city in the country to launch such a facility.
Located at 6/8 Hallera Street, the centre offers support services for people with hearing, speech, and visual impairments, as well as individuals on the autism spectrum and people with intellectual disabilities. Assistance is available for users of Polish Sign Language (PJM), communication methods used by deafblind people (SKOGN), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and Easy-to-Read (ETR) materials.
"Our facility offers services for people with disabilities, individuals on the autism spectrum, people with mental health conditions, and those who are blind, deafblind, or deaf," says Ewa Orylska, Head of the Regional Communication Centre in Poznań. "For people with intellectual disabilities, we provide two key services: the preparation of Easy-to-Read materials and AAC support, designed for non-speaking individuals and others experiencing communication difficulties. Deafblind people can benefit from a guide-interpreter service, which can be booked for up to four hours. Deaf people have access to both in-person and remote interpreting services, as well as an SOS line that provides immediate contact with an interpreter in emergency situations."
One of the centre's key services is Polish Sign Language interpreting, available both remotely and in person. Deaf users can connect with an interpreter online and receive assistance during conversations. In urgent situations, the SOS service enables communication with the police, ambulance services, or the fire brigade.
Making Information Accessible to Everyone
The centre will also prepare documents in accessible formats, including versions compatible with screen readers, Braille, audio recordings, and videos in Polish Sign Language. An important part of the project is the development of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which supports non-speaking individuals and people with speech difficulties. Regional Communication Centres will therefore include so-called AAC equipment labs, where users will be able to explore different solutions and identify those best suited to their individual needs.
The project also involves the preparation of information in Easy-to-Read (ETR) format. This will enable people who experience difficulties understanding standard texts, for example, individuals with intellectual disabilities or those on the autism spectrum - to access important information in a form adapted to their needs.
"The centre is greatly needed because it gives people with disabilities who face communication barriers greater independence and freedom," says Dorota Potejko, the Mayor of Poznań's Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities. "People can come here to deal with a wide range of matters, clarify any concerns, and benefit from interpreting and support services."
The project is being implemented by the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities within the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, in cooperation with the Polish Association of the Deaf and the Polish Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
The Communication Centre for People with Disabilities is co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 programme and by the State Budget of Poland. More information is available at centrumkomunikacji.pl.
