What is BITV?
The Berlin Barrier-Free Information Technology (BITV) is an ordinance enacted by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany in 2002 based on the disability discrimination act. According to the BITV, people of all abilities should have equal, comprehensive, and unrestricted access to information and communication technology. BITV applies to all websites, mobile applications, intranets, extranets, electronically supported administrative processes, and graphical program interfaces.
Who does BITV 2.0 apply to?
- Hardware: Computers, servers, networking equipment, mobile devices, and other tech-related devices.
- Software: Mobile applications, web applications, operating systems, programming languages, and other types of software.
- Services: Web-hosting, cloud computing, internet service providers (ISPs), and other IT-related services.
BITV 2.0: What’s Different?
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Alignment with the European ICT Standard
One of the biggest updates in BITV 2.0 is its alignment with EN 301 549, the European accessibility standard for information and communication technology. This alignment makes it easier for public sector organizations to follow accessibility requirements that match both German regulations and wider European standards.
By connecting BITV with EN 301 549, organizations no longer need to interpret separate frameworks. Instead, they can rely on a single accessibility structure that applies across many European digital systems.
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Expanded Scope
The earlier version of BITV mainly focused on the websites of German government organizations. BITV 2.0 expands this perspective by aligning with EN 301 549, which covers a broader range of digital technologies.
These include software, hardware, internet services, and cloud platforms. While BITV 2.0 does not directly enforce accessibility rules for all these technologies, the connection with EN 301 549 ensures that these standards are recognized within public sector accessibility policies.
This broader alignment helps organizations understand how accessibility should apply across different digital environments.
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More Specific Accessibility Guidelines
BITV 2.0 also brings more detailed guidance on how accessibility should be implemented.
Earlier versions of BITV referenced WCAG 1.0, which provided general accessibility recommendations. The updated framework now follows EN 301 549, which adopted WCAG 2.1 in December 2018. These guidelines include clearer technical requirements related to media elements, link structures, color contrast, formatting, and the overall structure of digital content.
WCAG 2.1 is built around the POUR principles, which state that digital content should be:
- Perceivable so users can identify and consume information
- Operable so users can navigate and interact with content
- Understandable so information and interfaces are clear
- Robust so content works across different devices and assistive technologies
These principles help organizations design digital experiences that are accessible to a wider group of users.
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Mandatory Monitoring and Testing
BITV 2.0 also supports structured accessibility monitoring. The ordinance provides a technical framework aligned with EN 301 549 that designated monitoring bodies use to evaluate public sector websites and mobile applications.
Organizations themselves are not required to run formal BITV compliance audits, but government monitoring bodies regularly review digital platforms to check whether accessibility standards are being followed under the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD).
BITV 2.0 also encourages the use of feedback mechanisms that allow users to report accessibility issues. These feedback channels support continuous improvement and help organizations respond to accessibility concerns raised by real users.
How Do I Get Started with BITV Website Compliance?
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Conduct a BITV Compliance Audit
The first step is to perform a thorough accessibility audit of websites and mobile applications.
This audit should be conducted by accessibility experts who can identify barriers that prevent users from accessing content. These barriers may include poor color contrast, missing alternative text for images, or navigation systems that cannot be used with a keyboard.
A detailed audit helps organizations understand where accessibility gaps exist and what needs to be improved.
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Develop a Remediation Plan
After the audit, organizations should create a clear remediation plan that outlines how each accessibility issue will be resolved.
This plan usually prioritizes the most critical issues first. Improvements may include redesigning website elements, adding alternative text for visual content, improving navigation structures, and ensuring that interactive features can be accessed using keyboard controls.
During this stage it is important to follow BITV accessibility standards closely so that the updates align with current German accessibility regulations.
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Maintain Ongoing Testing
Accessibility is not a one time task. Continuous testing is necessary to maintain compliance over time.
Organizations should regularly test their websites and applications using a combination of automated accessibility tools and manual evaluations. This helps verify that digital platforms continue to meet accessibility standards even after updates, new content, or design changes are introduced.
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Document Compliance Efforts
Proper documentation is another important part of BITV compliance.
Organizations should keep records of accessibility audits, remediation activities, testing results, and feedback received from users. Maintaining these records helps demonstrate that accessibility efforts are ongoing and that organizations are actively working to meet compliance standards.
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Publish an Accessibility Statement
Organizations should also publish an accessibility statement on their website or mobile application.
This statement should explain the platform’s compliance with BITV 2.0, list any areas that may still have accessibility limitations, and provide a feedback channel for users to report issues. The statement should also describe how accessibility evaluations were conducted.
Accessibility Requirements of BITV 2.0
- Readable and Structured Content: Text should be easy to read with proper headings, logical sections, and sufficient color contrast so users can clearly distinguish information on the screen.
- Alternative Descriptions for Visual Elements: Images, charts, and icons should include descriptive text so that screen readers can explain the content to users who cannot see the screen.
- Keyboard Accessible Navigation: Users should be able to move through menus, forms, and interactive elements without needing a mouse.
- Assistive Technology Compatibility: Websites and apps should function properly with screen readers and other assistive tools that people rely on to access digital content.
BITV 2.0 vs WCAG: Quick Comparison
| Aspect | BITV 2.0 | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung. | Web Content Accessibility Guidelines |
| Region of Application | Germany | Global standard used worldwide |
| Purpose | Ensures that digital services of German public sector bodies are accessible to people with disabilities | Provides international guidelines for making web content accessible to users with disabilities |
| Who Must Follow It | German government agencies, public authorities, and organizations funded by the government | Organizations, developers, and businesses that want to build accessible websites or meet accessibility regulations |
| Legal Status | A legally binding regulation in Germany | A global guideline created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Often referenced in laws but not itself a law |
| Technical Foundation | Based on European accessibility standard EN 301 549, which references WCAG principles | Created and maintained by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) |
| Scope of Accessibility | Covers websites, mobile apps, digital documents, and online services used by public bodies | Covers web pages, digital content, multimedia, navigation, and interface design |
| Compliance Levels | Follows WCAG success criteria through EN 301 549 requirements | Three levels of compliance: Level A, Level AA, Level AAA |
| Focus Area | Government digital accessibility within Germany | Universal web accessibility practices for designers and developers worldwide |
