The social impact company, Access4you International helps individuals with specific accessibility needs plan their visits while supporting property owners in enhancing inclusion and meeting both business and ESG objectives. The audit of Port7’s three buildings was conducted by Commissioning CZ, the accredited partner of Access4you in the Czech Republic. This achievement underscores Skanska’s long-term commitment to inclusion and ensures that reliable and detailed accessibility information is available for all users of the development.
In line with Skanska’s commitment to sustainability, Port7 has achieved LEED Platinum certification and is aiming for WELL Platinum and WELL Health-Safety Rating, ensuring high environmental and health standards. Most recently, Port7 became the first office project in the Czech Republic to obtain Access4you Certification, confirming its dedication to inclusivity.
While Port7 has already met high accessibility standards, Skanska is taking additional steps to further enhance inclusivity within the development. As part of the continuous improvement process, Port7 will introduce new accessibility features, particularly benefiting individuals who are hard of hearing and visually impaired. Planned upgrades include improved marking of glass surfaces across the complex, additional stair markings for enhanced visibility, and the installation of induction loops in all lobbies to support individuals with hearing impairments. These enhancements are currently in the planning phase and will reinforce Port7’s status as an inclusive, forward-thinking development.
Access4you Certification and Auditing Process
Achieving the Access4you Certification is a significant milestone for Port7, reinforcing Skanska’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This certification ensures that the built environment meets high accessibility standards, benefiting individuals with diverse mobility, visual, hearing, and cognitive impairments and offers detailed and certified accessibility information about the location. By obtaining the certification, Skanska strengthens its ESG commitments and aligns with international benchmarks, such as WELL and LEED certifications.
"Ensuring accessibility is not just about meeting regulations; it’s about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and empowered. Achieving Access4you Certification is an important step toward fostering inclusive environments." says Eva Nykodymová, Health, Safety, and Sustainability Manager for Skanska’s Commercial Development unit in Central and Eastern Europe.
Port7’s certification process was conducted by Commissioning CZ, the accredited partner of Access4you in the Czech Republic. The rigorous audit covered all three buildings within the complex, assessing key aspects of accessibility and inclusivity. With this certification level, Port7 ensures a barrier-free environment for wheelchair users, the elderly, individuals with limited mobility, and people with strollers. The audit report provided a detailed development plan to further enhance Port7’s accessibility features.
"Access4you certification provides a transparent and credible framework for real estate stakeholders to improve their accessibility standards. The assessment process at Port7 highlighted key strengths while also offering recommendations for further enhancements." says Martin Vaclavik, CEO of Commissioning CZ.
Being the first office project in the Czech Republic to obtain this certification positions Port7 as a leader in inclusive real estate development. Beyond social responsibility, the certification brings tangible benefits, such as improved user experience, enhanced safety, and potential cost reductions in risk management. Additionally, it contributes to ESG reporting, demonstrating Skanska’s proactive approach to social sustainability.
“Access4you is a solution for ESG reporting and more. With our ESG score, we can quantify the audit report results. This figure can then be included in the social pillar of ESG. We learned that in some cases, the safety enhancements inherent in accessible design can reduce accidents and decrease risk, resulting in lower insurance cost, or the certification can even serve as evidence for the BREEAM-in-use certification.” - says about their innovative service Balázs Berecz, founder and CEO of Access4you, who has been using a wheelchair since 2005.
Future Accessibility Plans in Skanska’s Developments
Following the successful certification of Port7, Skanska is integrating lessons from the Access4you audit into future projects. The company has developed a comprehensive accessibility checklist to ensure that inclusivity is embedded from the design phase. This checklist incorporates key accessibility features such as induction loops, enhanced surface markings, and seamless wheelchair access, guaranteeing that future developments will cater to all stakeholder groups.
"Accessibility and inclusivity are fundamental elements of our project planning. We are committed to designing spaces that accommodate diverse needs, ensuring that our developments are not only sustainable but also welcoming for everyone." adds Eva Nykodymová.
By proactively incorporating Access4you standards into future projects, Skanska is setting a new benchmark in inclusive real estate development, ensuring that all its properties provide safe, comfortable, and accessible environments for a wide range of users.