What is meant by BFSG-compliant?
The term "BFSG-compliant" refers to compliance with the legal requirements of the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) (Accessibility Strengthening Act), which will come into effect in Germany from June 2025. The BFSG implements EU Directive 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act, EAA) and mandates that companies design their software, websites, apps, and other digital solutions to be accessible. This ensures that people with disabilities have equal access to digital services.
Typical software functions in the area of "BFSG-compliant":
- Accessible User Interface: Designing software according to WCAG 2.1 guidelines (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), optimizing contrast, font sizes, and alternative texts for images.
- Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring full functionality of the software using only the keyboard, without a mouse.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Supporting screen readers for text-to-speech output.
- Braille Display Support: Compatibility with devices that convert digital content into Braille.
- Subtitles and Audio Descriptions: Providing subtitles for videos and audio descriptions for visual content.
- Easy Language and Alternative Representations: Offering texts in simplified language and providing visual or auditory alternatives to complex content.
- Contrast and Color Control: Customization options for contrast levels and colors to improve readability for visually impaired users.
- Scalable Font Sizes: Ability to adjust font sizes without affecting usability.
- Error Messages with Improvement Suggestions: Clear, accessible error messages with concrete action recommendations.
- Voice Control: Support for voice-controlled inputs to facilitate navigation.
- Flexible Input Methods: Allowing alternative input methods, such as voice input or joystick support for users with motor impairments.
- Accessibility Testing and Validation Tools: Built-in mechanisms to ensure compliance with BFSG accessibility standards.
Examples of "BFSG-compliant":
- Online Store with Screen Reader Support – An e-commerce platform that can be fully navigated using a screen reader.
- Government E-Service Platform with Keyboard Navigation – A public administration portal that is fully functional using only the keyboard.
- Educational Software with Audio Descriptions – A learning management system that offers audio descriptions for visual content.
- Banking App with Voice Control – A banking application that enables transactions via voice commands.
- Customizable Color and Contrast Modes – Enterprise software allowing users to modify colors and contrast for accessibility.
- Easy Language Support in Customer Chats – A customer service chat that offers messages in plain language as an additional option.
