Legal Bases

The EU-directive 2016/2102 of the European Union (EU) forms the legal basis for accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public entities. The European standard EN 301 549 sets the standard for the design of accessible websites. This standard refers to the internationally recognized WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, regarding accessible web presence. The WCAG consist of three levels of conformance, A, AA and AAA. Level A corresponds to basic accessibility, level AA to a professional level and level AAA to an expert level. German public entities are advised to obtain level AA for their web presence. The Act on Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Lower Saxony (Niedersächsisches Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz, NBGG) governs the implementation of digital accessibility. Thus, public entities in Lower Saxony are legally obliged to make their web presence accessible. Since September 23, 2020, website contents must comply with the accessibility requirements. The contents of mobile applications need to be accessible one year later. The regulation for creating accessible information technology for Lower Saxony (Niedersächsische Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung, Nds. BITV) in accordance with the Act on Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Lower Saxony will comprise concrete regulations.

The web presence of TU Clausthal will be made accessible. In accordance with §9 NBGG, public entities need to publish a declaration on the accessibility of their websites and mobile applications. This declaration will comprise the elements of accessibility already implemented and the missing elements in accordance with the WCAG-guidelines. The declaration on accessibility can be found on the website of TU Clausthal.