Accessibility Statement
Our Commitment to Digital Accessibility
1. Introduction and Principles
Our website and digital services should be usable by all people regardless of their physical or mental abilities. We follow the requirements of Directive (EU) 2016/2102, the German Disability Equality Act (BGG), and the Accessible Information Technology Regulation (BITV 2.0). Our goal is usability that corresponds to Level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). This fulfills the requirements set by the EU Directive, BGG, and BITV, while simultaneously preparing for the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which will also obligate many private providers from June 2025.
We work continuously to improve the accessibility of our services. This statement explains the current state of accessibility, identifies existing barriers, and provides information about feedback options and enforcement procedures.
2. General Description of Services
Here you can briefly explain what your website or app offers. Describe the purpose and main functions so that users know what content they can expect. Example:
Our Service: Accessibility Checker Tool provides comprehensive accessibility testing for websites. Users can have websites analyzed, receive detailed reports, integrate an accessibility plugin, and access professional consulting services.
3. Legal Foundations
This service follows the following legal requirements:
- EU Directive 2016/2102 on accessible access to websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies;
- German Disability Equality Act (BGG), particularly § 12a BGG;
- Accessible Information Technology Regulation (BITV 2.0), which specifies technical requirements;
- State legal regulations for municipal or regional institutions;
- Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which will also obligate certain private providers from June 28, 2025.
Additionally, we follow international guidelines such as WCAG 2.1 (Level AA). These legal foundations and standards define the requirements that our website should meet.
4. Status of Compliance with Requirements
This web service is currently partially compliant with the requirements of BITV 2.0 and WCAG 2.1 AA. This assessment is based on internal self-evaluation supplemented by automated testing. We have implemented the following accessibility features:
Implemented Accessibility Profiles
- Seizure-Safe Profile: removes flash/blinking effects and reduces high-contrast colors to protect people with photosensitivity.
- Visually Impaired Profile: improves contrasts, enlarges texts, and allows users to adjust font size.
- ADHD-Friendly Profile: structures content clearly, minimizes distractions, and supports focused reading.
- Cognitive Disabilities Profile: provides clearly structured content, simple language, and visual aids.
- Keyboard Navigation (Motor): enables website use exclusively via keyboard; all interactive elements are focusable.
- Blind Users Profile (Screen Reader): optimizes the website for screen readers, provides semantic structures, and adds alternative texts.
- Dyslexia-Friendly Profile: provides a font that makes reading easier for people with reading and spelling disorders.
These profiles are part of our embedded accessibility plugin. Users can make individual adjustments via the widget on each page. This makes operation simpler and more personalized.
4.1 Non-Accessible Content
We are working to gradually optimize this content and provide accessible alternatives where possible. If you encounter non-accessible content, please inform us – we will provide you with the content in an accessible format upon request.
5. Accessibility Assessment
This statement is based on self-assessment and automated testing. We plan regular audits by external auditors to verify our assessment. The accessibility statement is updated annually and with every significant change to the website. Date of last assessment: August 11, 2025.
6. Feedback and Contact
If you discover barriers or have suggestions for accessibility, please contact us. We take your feedback seriously and respond within four weeks. Please use one of the following options:
As operators of this website, we commit to reviewing feedback promptly and taking necessary measures. The feedback mechanism is accessible on every page, similar to the accessibility statement.
7. Enforcement Procedures (Arbitration Board)
If you do not receive a satisfactory response within the specified timeframe, an arbitration procedure is available to you. In Germany, the arbitration board under the Disability Equality Act (BGG) is responsible for this. It assists with conflicts regarding accessibility between people with disabilities and public institutions or obligated providers.
Contact of BGG Arbitration Board:
You can contact them if you believe barriers have not been adequately removed or if we have not responded to your inquiry. The arbitration board will attempt to bring about an out-of-court solution.
8. Content in German Sign Language (DGS) and Easy Language
According to BITV 2.0, the essential contents of the accessibility statement on websites should also be offered in German Sign Language and in Easy Language. We are currently working on a translation of this statement. A version in Easy Language and a video in German Sign Language will be available here shortly.
9. Placement and Access
The accessibility statement and feedback mechanism are permanently linked in the footer of our website and thus accessible from every subpage. This statement is available in HTML format and is structured to be usable by screen readers and accessible via keyboard navigation.
Disclaimer
This template provides a framework for a legally compliant accessibility statement according to EU Directive 2016/2102, BITV 2.0, and BGG. Replace the placeholders (e.g., address, phone number, specific content) with your actual data. Check with legal and accessibility experts whether all information is correct and whether additional obligations exist for your institution.