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Accessibility Services (ZAB)

Campus Bielefeld University — Bielefeld University

Competence centre for accessible digital university administration.NRW

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Contact

Email: barrierefreie-verwaltung@uni-bielefeld.de

Phone: +49 521 106 - 86890

Project

Volume: 991,058 €

Project duration: 01.04.2024 - 31.12.2026

Sponsored by: Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW)

accessibility-administration.nrw

A large number of different (web) applications and digital systems are used in the administration of universities. The Competence Centre for Accessible Digital University Administration.NRW, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW), aims to ensure long-term accessibility in university administration in NRW.

Therefore, accessibility tests are conducted and processes and solutions are developed to sustainably improve the accessibility of (web) applications, systems and software solutions. The aim is to ensure that these fulfil the accessibility criteria as early as the procurement process. In addition, the competence centre offers training and advice to sensitise and qualify employees for the topic.

The project is divided into four fields of action: Checking the accessibility of existing applications and systems (field of action 1), the integration of accessibility checks into the procurement process (field of action 2), the integration of accessibility checks into development and adaptation processes for applications and systems within universities (field of action 3) and the promotion of staff development and communication (field of action 4).

This covers the universities' entire administrative process and integrates digital accessibility into specialised procedures and processes. All users also benefit from improved usability, which is achieved through the implementation of accessibility criteria. The competence centre provides bundled expertise and a support and service system for this purpose.

General conditions

Universities are legally obliged to make their digital services accessible in accordance with the E-Government Act and the associated laws on equal participation of people with disabilities, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the North Rhine-Westphalia Disability Equality Act (BGG NRW) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITVNRW).

So far, however, the applications, systems and specialised procedures used have not systematically paid attention to accessibility, which significantly limits the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate. The Competence Centre for Accessible Digital University Administration.NRW has the task of closing this gap and ensuring digital accessibility at universities.