Overview for Decision-Makers & Organizations
For Organizations & Decision-Makers
Section titled “For Organizations & Decision-Makers”Accessibility is not just a technical issue, but a strategic task. This chapter is aimed at organizations, executives, project managers, and decision-makers who are responsible for implementing accessibility in their company or institution.
The goal is to create understanding for necessary structures, roles, processes, and requirements – especially with regard to legal obligations such as the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG).
Content Structure of this Chapter:
Section titled “Content Structure of this Chapter:”Introduction: Why Accessibility is a Leadership Issue
Section titled “Introduction: Why Accessibility is a Leadership Issue”- Relevance for customer loyalty, inclusion, brand image
- Legal obligations through BFSG, BITV, EAA
- Accessibility as a component of digital quality assurance
Roles & Responsibilities
Section titled “Roles & Responsibilities”- Who is responsible – internally & externally?
- Establishing accessibility officers
- Collaboration between departments (Development, UX, Editorial, PM, Legal)
Developing an Accessibility Strategy
Section titled “Developing an Accessibility Strategy”- Defining goals and timelines (e.g., implementing WCAG 2.2 AA by 2025)
- Prioritization based on user needs and product impacts
- Integration with existing processes: development, testing, quality assurance
Documentation & Compliance Requirements – especially under BFSG
Section titled “Documentation & Compliance Requirements – especially under BFSG”- Overview: What does the BFSG require from June 2025?
- Which products and services are affected?
- What needs to be documented, tested, verified?
- How do tools like gooda11y, BAAT, or Jira help?
Internal Training & Awareness
Section titled “Internal Training & Awareness”- Awareness campaigns, e-learning, regular training
- Establishing accessibility as part of the corporate culture
Collaboration with Service Providers & Testing Authorities
Section titled “Collaboration with Service Providers & Testing Authorities”- Integrating accessibility into tenders and contracts
- Defining criteria catalogs and requirements
- Planning external audits or BITV tests
Note on the BFSG (Accessibility Strengthening Act):
Section titled “Note on the BFSG (Accessibility Strengthening Act):”The BFSG came into effect on June 28, 2025, and requires many private companies to make their digital products and services accessible. This affects e.g., online shops, e-book platforms, banking apps, or self-service terminals. Organizations must provide evidence of compliance and cooperate with market surveillance authorities.
Those who develop an accessibility strategy early and establish appropriate processes are not only legally protected but also strengthen the company’s innovation power and customer loyalty.