With the BITV test, we carry out a comprehensive, reliable check of the accessibility of your website.
Are your digital offerings accessible or at least low-barrier? Does it make it easier for people with disabilities to find, understand and use your content? The Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0 of 12.9.2011, last amended in February 2022) is a recognised test procedure.
If your website has not yet been tested for accessibility in accordance with BITV/WCAG, we can help you to do so. You can publish the result of the test on your website as a declaration of accessibility . If you are obliged to carry out the test, you must have it carried out in order to comply with the legal requirements.
The BITV test does not have to be carried out by you personally. The topic is quite complex and the test is often an extensive task. Outsource this activity! We have the expertise to carry out a conscientious, complete and independent BITV test for your college/university.
Overview
BITV test as a service
BITV/WCAG audit by experts: The audit is quite extensive and requires specialised knowledge that our experts have been applying for over 25 years.
The test consists of 98 test steps and is based on the criteria of EU standard 301 549 and the WCAG recommendations. They are divided thematically into presentation, operation, completeness and technical implementation.
We provide you with the test report and help you to create the required accessibility declaration for your website.
Opt for an external audit of your website(s), which is independent of the creator, and get a real accessibility assessment.
FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions
There is a BITV self-assessment available online. The test procedure is based on the criteria of EU standard 301 549 and the WCAG recommendations and comprises 98 test steps. These are divided thematically into
- Alternative representations for website content
- Alternative usability of the website
- Comprehensibility of the content
- Technical realisation
A rating is given for each of the 98 questions: "yes", "rather fulfilled", "partly fulfilled", "rather not fulfilled", "no" or "not applicable".
It should be noted that not only a single page of your website is tested here, but the text according to BITV should extend over several representative pages. Otherwise the result will be distorted.
Yes, the BITV test does not have to be carried out by you personally. People often have little time and the topic of website accessibility is often an extensive task. Expert knowledge is helpful here for a quick assessment. Let us help you!
The accessibility statement is an important document that indicates the extent to which a digital resource (such as a website, mobile application or other digital offering) is accessible. It serves several purposes:
- It informs users about the extent to which the digital resource complies with applicable accessibility standards or guidelines.
- In the European Union, public sector bodies must provide such statements in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies.
- The creation and publication of an accessibility statement demonstrates an organisation's or company's commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
- The statement can also serve to document identified accessibility deficiencies and provide a timeline for addressing them.
- Often an accessibility statement will also include information on how users can provide feedback on the accessibility of the resource. This enables organisations to learn from users' experiences and make improvements.
To summarise, the accessibility statement is a key element in improving the accessibility of digital offerings, providing information on the current state of accessibility and complying with legal requirements.
Every website is different and therefore the BITV test must be assessed individually. The more different your page templates and content are, the more pages should be tested. Typically, around 8 different pages are tested, for example
- Home page
- Overview page
- 2 content pages with different templates
- Contact page with contact form
- Pages with special elements such as: sliders, videos, events, external data, forms
- Search / search results
Up to 5 PDF documents are also checked for accessibility on a random basis.
Please let us know your website(s) so that we can provide you with a customised quote.
More information on BITV 2.0: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bitv_2_0/
Scope of the service
Details of the BITV/WCAG test
Extensive testing
Your website is tested according to the conditions of the Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0 last updated in February 2022). The test comprises 98 test steps and includes the new requirements of WCAG 2.1. The test procedure is based on the test steps and specifications of EU standard 301 549 and the WCAG recommendations.
Extensive testing
We are testing:
- Alternative displays for website content
- Alternative usability of the website
- Comprehensibility of the content
- Technical realisation
A rating is given for each of the 92 questions:
- Yes.
- Rather fulfilled.
- Partially fulfilled.
- Rather not fulfilled.
- No.
- Not applicable.
Scope of the BITV audit
Not just a single page may be tested, otherwise the result would be falsified. However, it is also not necessary to test your entire website - the effort involved would be enormous.
The test is usually carried out for approx. 8 pages of your website, e.g. home page, overview page, details page, contact page, search, events calendar, forms and individual samples.
The pages are selected by Academic Hero. It is important to use as many different pages as possible for the test. Typical page templates, page elements and functions are analysed. You are welcome to suggest pages yourself.
Scope of the BITV audit
The test result is submitted in a tabular test report. This contains the identified barriers of the pages as well as recommendations for necessary optimisation steps.
The test report contains in detail
- Information on the test order
- Information on the test procedure
- All references that partially or completely contradict the BITV requirements (according to the BIK BITV test)
- Conclusion summarising the accessibility and conformity of the pages
You will also receive a "declaration of accessibility" as a text proposal. After a legal review, you can post this certificate on your website and thus fulfil the legal requirements.