Grant - Accessibility Initiative

Organizations in Zoetermeer can apply for a grant once per calendar year to make their building, shared outdoor space, website, or app more accessible to people with physical disabilities. You can receive a grant for:

• Structural modifications to buildings or common outdoor areas that comply with the most recent NEN 9120 standard or, where necessary, the IT standard.
• An accessibility scan of a website or application, conducted by a certified entity in accordance with WCAG 2.2 A+AA (or a more recent version).

 The amount of the grant depends on the type of organization and the costs:

•  Companies:
  • Up to €2,000: 100% reimbursement.
  • Over €2,000: 100% up to €2,000 + 50% of the costs above €2,000.
  • Up to €10,000 per year.
     
• Institutions, civil society organizations, and associations (structural modifications):
  • Up to €4,000: 100% reimbursement.
  • Over €4,000: 100% up to €4,000 + 75% of the costs above €4,000.
  • Up to €15,000 per year.
     
• Accessibility Scan (for non-profit organizations):
  • Up to €1,500 per scan.
  • A maximum of one scan every two years per organization.

The grant may not be used for:

• Costs that are already covered by another subsidy program.
• Costs incurred in preparing or submitting the grant application.
• An accessibility scan that does not meet WCAG requirements.

The grant is intended for organizations in Zoetermeer that wish to make their buildings, outdoor spaces, or digital services more accessible to people with disabilities. Organizations located in a municipal building are not eligible to apply for the grant. Your organization is based in Zoetermeer and falls within the target group (businesses that receive visitors, institutions, social organizations, or associations).

1. Quality requirements for structural modifications

Modifications to the building or outdoor space must comply with the latest standards, such as NEN 9120 or the IT standard; if a MIVA-compliant toilet is being installed, additional requirements from the Zoetermeer standard apply. The technical drawing of the MIVA-compliant toilet (Zoetermeer standard) can be requested by emailing toegankelijk@zoetermeer.nl.

2. Digital accessibility

A digital accessibility scan must be performed by a certified party in accordance with WCAG 2.2 A+AA or a later version.

3. Consultation with the target audience

You must be able to demonstrate that you have spoken with people with disabilities (or their representatives) and that they agree to the modification. For example, a visitor with a physical disability, or the Zoetermeer Council for Physical Accessibility.

4. What expenses are reimbursed?

Only the direct costs of the modification or the digital scan are eligible for reimbursement. Costs will not be reimbursed if:

• There is already another subsidy program in place;
• The fees for submitting the application are as follows:
• The scan does not comply with WCAG guidelines.

• You may not start working on or buying the investment until you have received the grant.
• Apply for the grant at least 13 weeks in advance.
• We will only process complete grant applications. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. The date on which the application is complete is considered the application date.
• A maximum of €150,000 is available each year. If multiple applications are received on the same day, a lottery will be held.
• Depending on your application, you must include at least the following documents:
  • For structural modifications: a construction drawing of the current situation and of the planned modification, any required environmental permit, and the construction period.
  • For a digital accessibility scan: an action plan explaining why the scan is necessary and how you will use the results.
  • Quotes for the work or the scan.
  • Provide evidence that you have spoken with the people for whom the change is intended and that they support it.
  • A statement from the owner if you do not own the building or the website.

Application for the Accessibility Initiative Grant
 

Attachments to be included

When submitting your application for the Accessibility Impulse grant program, you must include the documents listed below. Please make sure you have these documents available in digital format when you fill out the form.

 General appendices

• Quotes for the planned structural modifications or the accessibility assessment.
• Information showing that you have spoken with the people for whom the change is intended, or with someone representing them, and that they support the plan.
• If you are not the owner of the building or website: a statement from the owner confirming their consent to the modification or scan (including their name, signature, and date).

 When making structural modifications

• A floor plan of the current layout and a floor plan of the new layout, showing that the modification complies with the NEN 9120 standard or comparable/stricter regulations regarding physical accessibility.
• an environmental permit, if one is required for the work.
• The planned implementation period: when the work will begin and when it will be completed.

When conducting an accessibility scan of a website or app

An activity plan that includes:

• Why the scan is necessary.
• How the results are used.
• Whether any follow-up actions are planned.

If you receive a grant, you must demonstrate what you have done once the project is complete. For renovations, you must submit photos and a brief document confirming that the work is complete, has been carried out properly, and complies with accessibility regulations. Have you had an accessibility scan performed on your website or app? If so, please include the report, listing the pages that were reviewed and the areas for improvement. You must also always submit a simple financial overview that follows the same structure as the budget you previously submitted.

Accountability for the Accessibility Initiative Grant

Tool for applying for and (interim) accounting for subsidies (Excel)

After we receive your application, you will be notified within 13 weeks.

• Accessibility Incentive Subsidy Scheme

The Grant Office can be reached from Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the general telephone number 14 079. You can also send an email to ondernemingbureau@zoetermeer.nl .