Digital accessibility

We assess the digital accessibility of your website

Making your website accessible to everyone is our mission. Through our assessment, we ensure that your web content meets the legal requirements for accessibility. In doing so, we adhere to applicable standards such as BITV 2.0, WCAG AA and EN 301 549. Our expertise helps you to design your website to be accessible and to meet the requirements of the Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG), BITV 2.0 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

You can choose between the tried-and-tested Materna BITV test and the certified BIK BITV test. We will help you compare the various testing options and select the package that best suits your needs. 

Materna BITV Test

With our own Materna BITV Test in accordance with BITV 2.0, we ensure that your website is accessible. We comprehensively test your website in accordance with the requirements of EN 301 549, including all documents. You will receive a comprehensive report with descriptions of problem areas, assessments of the degree of compliance and suggestions for optimisation. Depending on your requirements, we apply either the detailed or simplified monitoring method of the EU Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1524 when selecting the content to be tested. Our testing procedure follows clearly defined and systematically implemented steps. Quality assurance by an additional Materna expert guarantees the high quality and accuracy of the results. As a result, you will receive our Materna seal of approval and a certificate for your communications and public image. 

BIK BITV Test

Materna is recognised as an official BIK testing body within the testing network and carries out the BIK BITV test – a recognised and proven testing procedure for the comprehensive and reliable assessment of the accessibility of websites and web applications. The certified BIK BITV test is specifically tailored to your requirements. The test assesses 98 requirements of BITV 2.0, which references EN 301 549. You will receive a detailed analysis of your website’s level of accessibility. In an extended version (BIK BITV Test + WCAG 2.2 (Web)), the test includes six additional assessment steps and also takes into account the requirements of WCAG 2.2.  

Qualified auditors from the BIK audit network will comprehensively examine your website for accessibility in accordance with current legal requirements. You will receive a detailed audit report in the form of a summary table containing the results of the audit steps, including detailed descriptions and suggestions for resolving the issues identified. If the audit is fault-free, you will receive the BIK BITV seal of approval and your audit report will be published on the BIK website. 

Comparison of testing options

You can choose between the tried-and-tested Materna BITV test and the certified BIK BITV test. We will help you compare the various testing options and select the right package for your needs. You can find full details of the testing procedures in our comprehensive service catalogue. 

We assess the digital accessibility of your mobile apps

Making your mobile apps accessible to everyone is our mission. Through our testing, we ensure that your mobile apps meet the legal requirements for accessibility. In doing so, we adhere to applicable standards such as BITV 2.0, WCAG and EN 301 549. Our expertise helps you to design your mobile apps to be accessible and to meet the requirements of the Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG), BITV 2.0 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

You can choose between the tried-and-tested Materna BITV Test and the certified BIK BITV Test. We’ll help you compare the different testing options and select the right package for your needs. 

Materna BITV Test (App)

With our own Materna BITV Test in accordance with BITV 2.0, we ensure that your mobile apps are accessible. We comprehensively test your mobile apps against the 104 test steps of the BITV/WCAG test and the requirements of EN 301 549, including documents where available. We ensure accessible content in line with the latest app standards, the accessibility statement (including optional sign language and plain language), and reporting options for barriers in your apps.  

You will receive a comprehensive report containing descriptions of the barriers, assessments of the degree of compliance and suggestions for optimisation. When selecting the content to be tested, we apply the so-called in-depth monitoring method of the EU Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1524. Our testing procedure follows clearly defined and systematically implemented steps. Quality assurance by an additional Materna expert guarantees the high quality and accuracy of the results. 

BIK BITV Test (App)

Materna is recognised as an official BIK testing body within the testing network and carries out the BIK BITV test for mobile apps. The test assesses compliance with the requirements of BITV 2.0, which references EN 301 549. You will receive a detailed analysis of the level of accessibility of your mobile apps. The WCAG2ICT test (app) is specifically designed to verify compliance with WCAG requirements. It is based on the WCAG2ICT document from the W3C. 

Qualified auditors from the BIK Audit Network will comprehensively assess your mobile apps for accessibility in accordance with current legal requirements. You will receive a detailed audit report in the form of a summary table containing the results of the audit steps, including detailed descriptions and suggestions for resolving the barriers identified. If the audit is successful, you will receive the BIK BITV seal of approval and your audit report will be published on the BIK website. 

Comparison of testing options

You can choose between the tried-and-tested Materna BITV test and the certified BIK BITV test. We will help you compare the various testing options and select the right package for your needs. You can find full details of the testing procedures in our comprehensive service catalogue. 

Production of content in plain language, simple language and sign language

At Materna, we employ certified translators specialising in plain language. We are members of the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache e. V. Our translations are based on the official guidelines of the Netzwerk Leichte Sprache, which were developed in close collaboration with people with and without learning difficulties. We also take into account the plain language recommendations of DIN SPEC 33429 to ensure optimal comprehensibility. 

As recognised experts in plain language, we are authorised to award the “Netzwerk Leichte Sprache” quality seal. This seal highlights the comprehensibility of your texts and signals to your target audience that your content has been written in plain language. 

To ensure a thorough target audience review, we work with experienced reviewers from the Network for Plain Language e. V. This ensures that the texts not only comply with linguistic rules but are also easily understood by the target audience. 

In addition to plain language, we also produce texts in simple language in accordance with DIN ISO 24495-1:2024 and DIN 8581-1. This enables us to develop texts that are accessible and easy to understand, as required – for inclusive communication that reaches as many people as possible. Together with our subsidiary Materna TMT, we produce sign language videos. We use interpreters certified to DIN EN 17100 and take individual client specifications into account. 

Implementing your legal obligation

Take action now and fulfil the legal obligation to provide information in easy-to-understand language. We would be happy to advise you on digital accessibility through the use of plain language or simple language on your website. 

Plain language from Materna

Accessible documents for an inclusive and accessible digital world

We ensure that your digital documents are accessible. With our comprehensive expertise and many years of experience, we are ideally equipped to check, optimise and design your documents, presentations and other materials in accordance with the latest accessibility laws and standards.

Accessibility testing for digital documents

We check whether your files comply with current accessibility requirements and standards. Whether manually or automatically generated PDFs, Microsoft Office formats or files exported from Adobe InDesign – we identify potential accessibility issues and document them in accordance with applicable standards such as WCAG and the PDF/UA standard. 

Consultancy, training and workshops for accessible documents

To integrate accessibility into your daily work, we offer bespoke in-house training for your staff. We provide the necessary knowledge on accessibility requirements as well as how to use publishing software. In addition to our training courses, we are also happy to advise you on creating accessible documents. 

Creation of accessible documents, forms and templates

We create accessible documents using your content and optimise existing documents. The published content can be in various formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign, PDF or HTML. Furthermore, we develop accessible document templates for Word, PowerPoint or InDesign files, for example. 

Documents accessible to all

You too can ensure that your documents are equally accessible to everyone. You can find much more information in our service catalogue. Together, we will ensure that your content is accessible to everyone. 

Training courses

Our centre of excellence offers comprehensive courses, workshops and training sessions on the topic of digital accessibility. From raising awareness of barriers in the digital space to creating accessible websites and documents – our workshops provide practical knowledge and equip you with the tools to make digital content accessible to everyone. Our training courses cover topics such as the legal framework, accessible media alternatives and the development of accessible apps. Benefit from our expertise and expand your knowledge in the areas of accessibility and inclusion. In our workshops, learn how to make your website and mobile apps even more accessible – from the accessibility statement right through to practical implementation. 

Discover our additional services

Preparation of the accessibility statement

Materna offers professional preparation of the accessibility statement in accordance with legal requirements such as the Accessibility Enhancement Act (BFSG) and the Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV). The statement is produced as a Word document. Upon completion, you will receive the document for immediate use. This service helps you meet the requirements for accessible websites. 

Presentation of the audit report

In a moderated web session, we present the test report and discuss the identified accessibility issues with the stakeholders nominated by the client. This session not only serves to clarify questions but also raises awareness among developers, editors and project managers regarding the importance of digital accessibility. In doing so, we address specific requirements from the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and the BITV 2.0. We would be happy to discuss the audit report with you and work together to develop solutions to remove barriers. 

Follow-up consultation and action plan

Following the initial audit, we offer you comprehensive follow-up consultation to define the next steps for optimising the accessibility of your website and mobile apps. Together, we develop a bespoke action plan that sustainably improves digital accessibility and ensures your website complies with the requirements of the WCAG, the BITV and the BFSG. 

User testing

In addition to formal accessibility testing, we also offer user testing to evaluate the usability of your website and mobile apps from the perspective of people with disabilities. These tests complement compliance with legal requirements and provide you with a comprehensive picture of how user-friendly your website and mobile apps are in practice.