Declaration on Accessibility

This accessibility statement applies to the website content published at verwaltung.bund.de (Federal Portal).

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) makes every effort to make the Federal Portal accessible in line with the Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (Gesetz zur Gleichstellung von Menschen mit Behinderungen, BGG) and the Ordinance on Accessible Information Technology (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung, BITV 2.0).

How accessible is this online service?

Not all of the Federal Portal meets the requirements of the Ordinance on Accessible Information Technology. This is based on a self-assessment completed on 10 March 2023.

Which areas of the website are not accessible to users of assistive technologies?

Parts of the website that are not accessible:

  • Information on accessibility of content when it is converted into PDF file
    PDF files that are generated by the website for download are not accessible.
  • Some graphics and objects do not have alternative text.
    Icons in the footer and in the results of a keyword search are embedded in HTML using SVG and do not have alternative text.
  • Some HTML elements for headings are invalid
    In some service descriptions, headings are not defined using the proper HTML elements. They are defined using P tags instead of H tags.
    In forms, multiple H1 tags are assigned to headings, which causes them to be read out twice.
  • Not all of the website can be navigated using only a keyboard
    Not all of the radio buttons (star and native radio buttons in the feedback component) can be selected using the space bar.
  • There is no logical way to move between sections
    HTML5 elements to define different sections (header, footer) and structure the page content are missing. WAI-ARIA document landmarks to define sections of a page are also missing.
  • It is not always clear where the current focus is
    The keyboard focus for buttons, links and input fields is not clear enough in some places (feedback, search results, forms).
  • Fields that are filled out incorrectly cannot be identified programmatically
    In forms, input fields that are filled out incorrectly are only indicated as such through use of a different colour. The error message is not part of the label and is not linked with the input field using aria-labelledby or aria-describedby and cannot be found programmatically.
  • Some syntax is incorrect
    All of the pages generated by the Content Management System contain syntax errors (unnecessary or invalid HTML attributes) and do not comply with the W3C-HTML standard.
    Proper HTML syntax makes it easier for browsers and screen readers to convey the content of the page.
  • Status reports are not available programmatically
    After feedback is sent, a message is displayed to inform the user that the feedback has been transmitted successfully. However, this message is not available to assistive technologies. Users of assistive technologies are therefore not informed unless they switch to a different focus or perspective.

The remedying of these known deficiencies is planned for 2023.

When was this accessibility statement last updated?

This statement was prepared on 24 September 2020 and last updated on 1 August 2023.

Report web accessibility barriers. Information on accessibility

If you are aware of any additional shortcomings in the accessibility of the content of verwaltung.bund.de, please report them to us. To do so, please use the feedback form.

You can also contact us by post, phone or email at:

Bundesministerium des Innern, für Bau und Heimat
- Bundesportalredaktion -
Alt Moabit 140
10557 Berlin
Phone: 03018 681-0
Fax: 03018 681-12926
Email: support-bundesportal@bdr.de

Arbitration

If after you have informed the contacts listed above no satisfactory solution has been found, you can refer to the Arbitration Service set up in accordance with section 16 of the Act on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. The task of the Arbitration Service is to provide support for out-of-court dispute resolution in cases of conflicts regarding accessibility between persons with disabilities and federal authorities. This is not a matter of determining a winner or a loser. Rather, the aim is, with the help of the Arbitration Service, to find a shared solution to the problem out of court. The arbitration proceedings are free of charge. The proceedings do not require that you have legal representation.

Full information about arbitration proceedings is available on the website of the Arbitration Service. There you can read about how the arbitration process works and how you can apply for arbitration. You can also submit your application in simple German or in German Sign Language.

The Arbitration Service can be contacted at the following address:

Schlichtungsstelle nach dem Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz bei dem Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für die Belange von Menschen mit Behinderungen

Mauerstraße 53
10117 Berlin
Phone:030 18 527-2805
Fax: 030 18 527-2901
Email: info@schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de
Website: www.schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de