skip to main contentskip to main menuskip to footer Universität Bielefeld Play Search
skip to main content
skip breadcrumb navigation to main content

Competence Centre for Accessible Digital University Administration.NRW

Logo of the competence centre for accessible digital university administration.nrw
Campus of Bielefeld University
Bielefeld University

Current events

September 3, 2026: Presentation: “Digital Can Be Simple, Too! Accessible Websites for People with Learning Disabilities”

Animated image: A person sits on a desk chair in front of a desk. There is a monitor on the desk. A green bar and an indicated table can be seen on the monitor.
© ZAB - Bielefeld University

People with learning disabilities often encounter barriers on the internet. But how can websites be designed to be understandable, clear, and easy to use? Over the course of five years, the #LeichtOnline project at Lebenshilfe Hamburg conducted numerous usability tests in collaboration with people with learning disabilities. The resulting recommendations highlight what really matters when it comes to accessible websites. The event will present key findings, a practical guide, and a new best-practice website where the recommendations have been directly implemented.

Speakers: Susanne Zornow and Britt Uhlenbrok Jensen, #LeichtOnline Project

When: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Online via Zoom; registration required via the Zoom registration link

Training Programs

Training on Digital Accessibility in Higher Education
Digital accessibility is a central component of an inclusive higher education culture. Competence Centre for Accessible Digital University Administration.NRW offers all higher education staff in North Rhine-Westphalia the training course “Communication Without Barriers: Accessibility in Higher Education.” It is aimed at anyone who wants to make digital content and communication more accessible.

The training provides practical insight into the fundamentals of digital accessibility. The focus is on how digital content and communication can be designed to be accessible to everyone.

Training Content

  • Fundamentals and Awareness
    • What is digital accessibility and why is it important?
    • What does digital accessibility mean in higher education practice?
    • Overview of legal foundations & obligations
  • Practical Applications
    • The 4 principles of WCAG (POUR)
    • Accessible design
    • Common digital barriers – and how to avoid them
    • Accessible communication and materials
    • Practical exercises
    • Arguments in favor of digital accessibility

Target audience

Researchers, faculty, and staff in technical and administrative roles

Contact

Are you and your team interested in this training? Then please contact us to schedule a training session.

Event archive

Robert Thiele from the DVNW Academy (German Public Procurement Network) will give an insight into the implementation of accessibility in the allocation procedure as a consultant.

The training will cover the following topics:

  • Applicable technical legal requirements for accessibility at federal and state level
  • Public procurement law requirements for the binding implementation of accessibility requirements
  • Information on contract design as well as practical reports from procurement practice

The training is aimed at university employees in NRW who are involved in the awarding or purchasing of software.

Who hasn't experienced this? New software is purchased and its use does not work smoothly. Problems occur during use, the application is not intuitive to use or the operating menu is confusing. These things can happen if the software is not ergonomically designed.
The topic of software ergonomics is often overlooked when it comes to procurement and occupational health and safety. It is not just an IT issue, but also an occupational health and safety issue. That's why we're devoting our next network meeting to the requirements for software ergonomics and their verifiability in an online presentation.
Because: Working at VDU workstations and with appropriate IT applications (software) can be well designed to provide support at work. Here, employee representatives can make an important contribution to success through co-determination.
 

In our latest Coffee and Learn in the GAAD series, we give tips on accessible web development.

At this Coffee and Learn, as part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we will talk about how to make communication in everyday working life inclusive.

At our second Coffee and Learn as part of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we will be presenting tools for checking accessible content on the web.

The first Coffee and Learn as part of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) will take place on 12 May 2025. We will discuss the topic of accessible documents and share important tips and best practices.

We like to make things (too) easy for ourselves by dividing things into two camps: Either you passed or you didn't; either you do something completely or not at all; etc. Some dichotomies have also crept into our thinking and strategies when it comes to digital accessibility: Either you are disabled or you are not; either a website is accessible or it is not; etc. In his presentation, Prof Zimmermann first introduces digital accessibility and its practical implementation. He then exposes common black-and-white thinking patterns and encourages reflection on more differentiated and pragmatic approaches.

The workshop provides an insight into the basics and techniques of accessible web development in accordance with WCAG 2.2. Best practices are also presented, for example how interactive HTML elements can be designed to be accessible. Participants will also gain an insight into the correct use of ARIA. The workshop will be conducted by Jan Hellbusch. Jan Hellbusch is a long-standing expert in the field of accessible web development and an accessibility consultant.

The consideration of accessibility in projects ending dates is crucial to ensure the participation of all people. People without disabilities also benefit from better structures and user-friendliness of accessible content. In our workshop "Accessibility - Expertise in projects and administration", we will show you in a practical way how digital accessibility can be implemented effectively.

Digital accessibility is of crucial importance for the participation of all people in professional life. In our kick-off event, we would therefore like to highlight the relevance of digital accessibility at universities. In addition, strategies for improving participation will be discussed and the necessary technical implementations presented.

Michael Wahl, Head of the Federal Monitoring Centre for Accessibility of Information Technology (BFIT Bund), will provide insights into his work.

The Competence Centre for Accessible Digital University Administration is organising a network meeting on accessibility in procurement for all interested parties from procurement and digitalisation. There will be an input on the importance of digital accessibility and an overview of laws and guidelines. Afterwards, all participants will have the opportunity to discuss ensuring accessibility in the procurement of software and the hurdles involved.

The Competence Centre for Accessible Digital University Administration invites all staff from university administration who are interested in the provision and development of software and IT applications to a network meeting. The competence centre will provide input on digital accessibility and its importance for everyone. In addition, there will be an exchange with colleagues about ensuring accessibility in IT and its hurdles.

back to top