Well takes on Buildings without Barriers

In order to receive Well certification (awarded by the IWBI - the International Well Building Institute), the accessibility of a building must meet the American ADA or European standard ISO 21542: 2011. However Well will occasionally accept standards that have been developed locally and the ‘Building without Barriers’ certification is now accepted as a substitute for these standards on the Polish market. This is the 24th local certification standard to be accepted and the first on the Polish market.

“The decision of the IWBI is a great success for the foundation and confirms that over the past 25 years we have been right to try to equalise of the right of access to Polish buildings for the disabled,” says Piotr Pawłowski, the president of the Integration Foundation. “We have developed a unique methodology that we use to help public institutions and companies take down barriers. As a result we are witnessing architecture that unites rather than divides. We are very pleased that our actions have been noted on the international arena,” he explained. The Well Building Standard is a building certification system that focuses on the health and well-being of its users.

The ‘Buildings without Barriers’ certificate has been on the market for almost 10 years to buildings Before certification can be granted, Buildings have to be checked for their immediate surroundings, the number of parking spaces, access to the building, availability of lifts, the colour of the building, access to important rooms (such as toilets) and equipment including lighting. So far almost 300 certificates have been awarded throughout Poland.