Accessibility for web applications, EAA and BFSG, other legal requirements and much more
What we offer
Consulting with expertise and passion
We offer profound know-how in the field of international accessibility criteria, such as the European Norm (EN) 301 549 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) - both in the public sector and in the private sector. We test your applications according to national standards, as required by the Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV, German: Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung) 2.0 and the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG, German: Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz).
We also support you in preparing the legally required accessibility statement.
We also support you in preparing the legally required accessibility statement.
Support during the development process
Our experts for digital accessibility support your projects from conception to design to implementation and finally to go-live.
We spread awareness and knowledge of accessibility in specifically tailored workshops for developers, business analysts and quality assurance. Thanks to close teamwork, we ensure compliance with accessibility requirements.
We spread awareness and knowledge of accessibility in specifically tailored workshops for developers, business analysts and quality assurance. Thanks to close teamwork, we ensure compliance with accessibility requirements.
EU Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act - EAA) on accessibility requirements for products and services has been in place since 2019.
The German Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) now transposes this European standard into German law, which means that digital offers and products from the e-commerce sector must be accessible by June 28, 2025.Fines and website shutdowns may be imposed if the BFSG is not fulfilled!
In turn, the BFSG refers to the international standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1, AA).
The German Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) now transposes this European standard into German law, which means that digital offers and products from the e-commerce sector must be accessible by June 28, 2025.Fines and website shutdowns may be imposed if the BFSG is not fulfilled!
In turn, the BFSG refers to the international standard Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1, AA).
All this is in A11Y
Accessibility, or A11Y for short, involves many aspects. Our A11Y experts are not only familiar with all legal requirements, but also work with assistive technologies such as screen readers (including JAWS and NVDA) on a daily basis. We also specialize in testing accessibility on mobile devices.
Important criteria that should be emphasized
- Readability and comprehensibility via screen reader
- Contrast of font and Information-bearing graphics (including form controls)
- Zoom without loss of content or functionality
- Visibility of the focus and operability via keyboard
- Consistent page structure and navigation
- Useful error handling including avoidance, detection and assistance
- Alternatives for videos and audio
Criteria that are less well known
- Setting of the displayed language of the application
- Name of the application in the browser tab (document title)
- User control of movements such as animations or image shows
1. Sufficient color contrast
between foreground and background ensures that texts and other content are also easy to read for people with visual impairments. Logos can be exempted from these requirements.
2. Abbreviation tags
make abbreviations and acronyms easier to understand by displaying their full meaning. This functionality is also available when using a keyboard.
3. Aria-label
is read aloud by screen readers. This makes the visible structure accessible on an audible level.
4. Accessible video player
enables the operation of functions such as play/pause and volume control with the keyboard.
5. Alternative text
makes the content and function of images accessible to blind users using a screen reader.
Why accessibility is important
Accessibility means inclusion. We want to promote diversity and give everyone the opportunity for digital participation.
Target group
97
percent of disabilities are rarely congenital
Therefore older people aged 55 and over are considered an important target group for digital accessibility.
720
billion € is the annual free purchasing power of the 50-plus
That’s an equivalent of €720 billion in free purchasing power each year - roughly one in every two euros.
10,4
million people in Germany have a disability
As stated in 2021 by the Federal Statistical Office, 7.8 million of the disabled people are severely disabled.
It affects us all
In addition to the fact that people suffer from visual impairment as they get older, it can affect any of us at any time.
One of many temporary restrictions is, for example, tenosynovitis, which often occurs when working at a computer.
In such cases, the mouse has to stay put and the computer can only be operated using the keyboard.
In addition, more and more websites are being used on mobile devices, smartphones, iPads etc. and must be accessible to everyone.
In such cases, the mouse has to stay put and the computer can only be operated using the keyboard.
In addition, more and more websites are being used on mobile devices, smartphones, iPads etc. and must be accessible to everyone.
Testing, testing and more testing
TMT
With mgm's own Test Management Tool, you get a test suite for accessibility that covers the national and international requirements according to EN 301 549, WCAG 2.1 / 2.2 and BITV 2.0. We have prepared all the test criteria in a comprehensible way, and you can easily integrate them into your quality assurance processes.
Our Team – A11Y and UI/UX
UI/UX Team
More than 15 years ago we started testing websites for accessibility and making them accessible to all users.
It is important to us to advance your project. We have an interdisciplinary team of accessibility and usability experts who will accomplish your application in the best possible way.
It says a lot that the word Accessibility is shortened as A11Y, an A, 11 letters and an Y
A11Y can be read as Ally, which means that we at mgm are allies when it comes to inclusion and accessibility.
Anna Weißenborn, A11Y-Expert and Ally
Flagships in public sector
Due to many years of experience, we have already been able to help many applications in the public sector achieve accessibility. These two selected websites show how it works:
The ELSTER portal and E-Rechnung (E-Billing) in Bavaria.
Both websites have received certificates from independent, external test agencies. The ELSTER portal was rated as very accessible by the BIK BITV test in 2018. Since then, attention has always been paid to accessibility during the development of new functions. In 2020, the BIK BITV test certified E-Rechnung Bayern as BITV-compliant, meaning that all test steps were fulfilled.
Elster Online
E-Rechnung in Bavaria
Both websites have received certificates from independent, external test agencies. The ELSTER portal was rated as very accessible by the BIK BITV test in 2018. Since then, attention has always been paid to accessibility during the development of new functions. In 2020, the BIK BITV test certified E-Rechnung Bayern as BITV-compliant, meaning that all test steps were fulfilled.
