Disability is a permanent or temporary inability to perform social roles due to a permanent or long-term impairment of bodily functions.
In Poland, disability is established by a decision of the district (and in the second instance – provincial) disability assessment team. The basic regulations are contained in the Act on vocational and social rehabilitation persons with disabilities.
Determination of disability/degree of disability
Over the years, the system of judging disability has changed, so there are still other judgments in circulation, issued in another state of law, which have not lost their validity (e.g. judgments in one of the disability groups).
The rules of disability assessment are the same for Poles and foreigners. It is not possible to exercise the rights of a disabled person on the basis of foreign documents (e.g. certificates issued abroad). Assessments are issued at the request of the person concerned, on the basis of medical documentation and an examination by an assessment team. Not only is the person’s physical fitness evaluated, but also their mental and social functioning. The application, together with the medical documentation, is submitted to the team responsible for the person’s permanent place of residence. If the medical documentation is in a foreign language, a certified translation of the documentation must be provided. If the team deems the documentation to be insufficient, it will request that it be supplemented or that an additional medical examination be performed.
The team issues the following types of certificates:
- Declarations of disability – for persons up to 16 years of age.
- Decisions on the degree of disability – for persons who have reached the age of 16. The team may determine one of three degrees of disability: mild; moderate; severe. In addition, the certificate includes the symbol of the cause of the disability and indications of the remedies and entitlements.
Legitimation of a disabled person
Is a document confirming the issuance of a disability certificate. On the basis of it you can enjoy rights and benefits. It is issued free of charge by the adjudication team. At the request of the disabled person, the code of the cause of the disability and its degree are entered into the card and encoded in the form of a QR code.
Detailed information about the disabled person’s card can be found at website.
Rights of persons with disabilities
Persons with disabilities are entitled to a number of concessions and facilities. Persons with severe disabilities (i.e. those in the most difficult situation) have easier access to health services.
Persons with disabilities are entitled to various benefits under the social security system, such as social pensions, total or partial disability pensions, and assistance benefits.
Such pensions are granted and paid by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). Detailed information can be found on the website of the Social Insurance Institution.
Activities for the disabled are also carried out by the State Fund for Rehabilitation Persons with Disabilities.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students with disabilities are entitled to special grants and support in the learning process (e.g. adaptation of the form of examinations or adaptation of teaching materials). Each university decides on the rules and forms of support. More information can be found at Students with disabilities.
Special rights are granted to disabled employees – these are described on the website Rights of employees with disabilities.
The system of support for the disabled in Poland is not uniform. Entitlements depend on the degree of disability and sometimes on the type of disability. Many benefits are provided at the local level, either directly by service providers or by the authorities of individual cities or districts, that organise public transport, manage paid parking zones, and set rules for the use of sports and cultural facilities. It is therefore important to check for up-to-date information before visiting a particular location.
Information current as of: .
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