Leaders - Polish Development Bank
"Accessibility is not a privilege, it's a standard. How Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego implements social responsibility through accessibility"
In one of our recent podcasts, a provocative question was raised: "Is accessibility a luxury or a standard?" In an era where technology is meant to drive social change, such questions shouldn't even be rhetorical. For Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (the Polish Development Bank, BGK), the answer is clear: accessibility is not a luxury, but one of the fundamental pillars of a financial institution's social responsibility.
Why "accessibility is not a luxury"
The podcast we're referring to highlights a paradox: we often talk about accessibility as something "above and beyond," rarely as an obligation. Meanwhile, the experiences of people with disabilities, seniors, and so-called people with special needs tell a completely different story — that the everyday functioning of public institutions, banking, and digital services must be designed barrier-free from the start. Why? Because these aren't special needs, but everyday needs of all of us.
This voice — a reminder that accessibility is every person's right, not charity — is key to the conversation about inclusive development. At BGK, we embrace this as a challenge: not to "catch up" with standards, but to create them. "For me, accessibility is not an add-on — it's the foundation of our institutional responsibility." — Julita Dul-Tomczuk, BGK Accessibility Coordinator
How BGK implements its accessibility policy — examples in action
Below, I'll outline some of the pillars we're putting into practice so that accessibility isn't just an idea, but an everyday reality.
- Barrier-free infrastructure: In BGK headquarters and branches, we design spaces according to universal design principles — we eliminate architectural and communication barriers, we improve what we already have, and we know that accessibility must always be top of mind.
- Digital accessibility — designing with everyone in mind: BGK's online services and systems undergo accessibility testing and continuous development. We ensure compatibility with screen readers, intuitive navigation, contrast modes, and keyboard functionality. We don't forget about the crucial aspect of positive user experience for the client.
- Training and internal culture shift: Accessibility isn't just about technical implementation — it's about changing organizational culture. At BGK, we conduct training for product teams, customer service, and management. We want every employee to understand that accessibility is a quality element of every product and service. "When I talk with teams, I emphasize: Don't ask 'do we have to make this accessible?' — ask 'how do we make this accessible?' It's a mindset shift, not just another project." — says Julita Dul-Tomczuk
- Monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement: Implementation isn't enough — you must listen. We gather user feedback, report on accessibility status, identify gaps, and make corrections. It's an ongoing process. "I don't believe in one-time accessibility audits — I believe in a cycle: implement, test with users, improve. That's what ensures our efforts don't become dead documentation." — Julita Dul-Tomczuk
A message for the financial sector and beyond
It's not enough to talk about "accessibility" — you need to implement it comprehensively and with heart — for people, not just legal requirements. The podcast we mentioned reminds us that while many people think accessibility is a luxury, those who face barriers daily know it's a necessity.
Banks, financial institutions, organizations — each can look at responsibility differently: not as marketing, but as the foundation of fair and equal service to clients. "I want accessibility to be so natural that no one needs to ask: 'Will this bank serve me?' — they just can." — Julita Dul-Tomczuk
BGK doesn't just talk — it acts. And we invite others to join us in creating a world where accessibility is not a luxury, but a standard. "The best accessibility is invisible. The kind that naturally ensures no one is excluded from the very beginning. My dream is that one day the bank will have systems so well prepared that we can freely employ a blind person" — concludes the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego's Accessibility Coordinator.