The Goethe-Institut e.V. endeavours to make its websites accessible in accordance with the Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance – BITV 2.0. According to §3 Paragraph 2 BITV 2.0, accessibility can be presumed if the conformity of the website to harmonized accessibility guidelines is established.
This declaration of accessibility applies to the Goethe-Institut website at www.goethe.de (as of July 16, 2021).
State of compatibility with requirements
The requirements are specified in §3 BITV 2.0. In particular, the criteria in Chapter 9 of EN 301 549 v2.1.2 (corresponds to the success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines/WCAG 2.1 at conformity level AA) must be met.
The websites on www.goethe.de are only partly compatible with the BITV 2.0 owing to the following incompatibilities.
Non-accessible content
The websites are not barrier-free for the following reasons: incompatibility with §3 Paragraph 2 BITV 2.0. In detail, this restriction concerns the following success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, which are not met:
- 1.1.1 Non-text content [Level A]
- 1.2.1 Pure audio and pure video (recorded) [Level A]
- 1.2.2 Subtitles (recorded) [Level A]
- 1.3.1 Info and relationships [Level A]
- 1.3.2 Significant order [Level A]
- 1.3.5 Determine input purpose [Level AA]
- 1.4.10 Automatic line-break (Reflow) [Umbruch. Or “wraps”?] [Level AA]
- 2.2.2 Pause, stop, hide [Level A]
- 2.4.4 Link purpose (in context) [Level A]
- 2.4.6 Headings and labels [Level AA]
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- 2.5.3 Labelling in the name [Level A]
- 3.1.2 Language of parts [Level AA]
- 3.2.2 When entering [Level A]
- 3.3.2 Labels or instructions [Level A]
- 4.1.1 Syntax analysis [level A]
- 4.1.2 Name, role, value [Level A]
- 4.1.3 Status messages [Level AA]
- In addition, PDF files do not have tags.
A test report with corresponding documentation was sent to the Goethe-Institut e.V.
Preparation of this declaration on accessibility
This declaration was prepared on 16 July 2021.
It is based on an actual evaluation of a selection of pages on the websites on www.goethe.de (conformity test according to WCAG 2.1) by Hellbusch Accessibility Consulting.
The declaration was last checked on 12th January 2024.
Arbitration
The Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities has an arbitration board in accordance with Section 16 BGG. The arbitration board has the task of resolving conflicts between people with disabilities and public authorities of the federal government.
You can engage the arbitration board if you are not satisfied with the answers from the previously mentioned contact options. This is not about finding winners or losers. The aim is rather to find a solution to a problem jointly and out of court with the help of the arbitration board.
The arbitration procedure is free of charge. You also don’t need legal assistance.
You can find all information about the arbitration procedure on website of the arbitration board. There you can read how an arbitration procedure works and how you submit the application for arbitration. You can also submit the application in German Plain Language or in German Sign Language.
You can reach the arbitration board at the following address:
Schlichtungsstelle nach dem Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz
bei dem Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für die Belange von Menschen mit Behinderungen [i.e. Arbitration board according to the Disability Equality Act at the Federal Government Commissioner for the Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities]
Mauerstrasse 53
10117 Berlin
Telephone: +49 30 18527-2805
Fax: +49 30 18527-2901
E-mail: info@schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de
Internet: www.schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de
Have you encountered any challenges in accessing the content on www.goethe.de? Do you have inquiries regarding the website's accessibility? We invite you to reach out to us with your feedback or questions, as your input is important to us. Please feel free to contact us at barrierefreiheit@goethe.de
Please note: In case you need information on German courses, please contact your local Goethe-Institut directly.
