Objectives and significance of the BFSG for the digital world

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What is the BFSG?
The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) is an innovative legal requirement that will come into force in 2025. It aims to make digital offerings such as websites and mobile applications accessible to all user groups, especially people with disabilities . Above all, since the Internet has long been an important part of our everyday lives, the BFSG ensures that no one is excluded from digital society.

The Accessibility Strengthening Act replaces the BITV Ordinance (Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance), which has been in force since 2002. The BITV previously focused exclusively on public institutions such as municipalities, cities or state-funded websites. Since 2002, these have been obliged to make their online offerings barrier-free and accessible to people with disabilities.

According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), around 10% of the population in Germany lived with a severe disability in 2022. This means australia whatsapp number data that almost 8 million people have difficulty using 99% of websites due to visual, auditory, motor or cognitive impairments . This group includes, for example, blind people or those who can only use one hand. In addition, demographic change in Germany is increasing the need for accessibility: With an increasingly older population, the number of people who rely on accessible services and products due to age-related limitations such as declining eyesight and limited mobility is increasing.

For companies, the BFSG offers an opportunity to expand their reach and create a positive social impact . By making their websites and online services more accessible, they not only reach a larger group of customers , but also create awareness of inclusion and diversity. In addition, compliance with the BFSG can also strengthen the brand image and contribute to increased customer satisfaction .