Accessibility on the Internet – A multifaceted project with exciting challenges

The internet offers an inexhaustible wealth of information. Which should be equally findable and understandable for all people. Therefore, according to the german Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV) 2.0, all federal public bodies are obliged to make the content of their websites accessible in plain language as well as in sign language with subtitles.

For this reason, we were commissioned by BKK Landesverband Bayern to produce several videos in sign language for their members’ websites, which reproduce the content of the pages, the navigation and an explanation of accessibility. This was an exciting project with various challenges, which we met, as always, with curiosity and full commitment.

First, scripts were written to explain the content in a simple and easy to understand way. The texts were checked by a control group and approved as a basis for further editing. This was followed by the translation into Easy Language by a certified partner. Easy language is a simplified form of German that follows certain rules: For example, the text consists only of short sentences and simple words. In addition, pictures and symbols are used to help readers understand the content. These documents formed the first step of the required accessibility documentation.

The second step was the production of the videos in sign language, also with the help of a certified partner studio. A number of criteria had to be met during the recording process to ensure that the signs in the video were clearly recognisable. In addition, a second sign language performer had to be present to supervise the filming and check the recordings. After editing and colour correction, subtitles were added – so that all legal requirements were met and the videos could be published.

And it is precisely this variety that makes this job so exciting time and again!