Poland RCB warning system lacks accessibility for disabled citizens

The Government Centre for Security (RCB) warning system in Poland is facing criticism for failing to meet the needs of the country's more than 5 million people with disabilities. Ewa Lefik-Babiasz, Director of the Accessibility Department at the Avalon Foundation, noted that the primary issue is not the length of the SMS alerts, but the specialized and abstract language used.

Specific terms such as ‘the situation is being monitored’ or ‘operating in the airspace of the Republic of Poland’ are described as ambiguous and difficult for individuals with cognitive disabilities to interpret. Furthermore, the alerts often lack clear instructions on what specific actions recipients should take. For those with physical disabilities, instructions to seek immediate shelter can cause heightened anxiety due to the difficulty of moving quickly to safety.

The RCB has stated that it is currently analyzing the matter.