Accessibility

Please note: the following text is not an official version, but a preliminary translation from the German original for your convenience.

votesUP should be accessible. We do not only want to fulfil technical requirements, but also strive to make the operation as comfortable as possible. We see inclusion as a permanent task.

In doing so, we are guided by the legal framework for public and publicly funded bodies in Germany: “Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz (BGG)” and the “Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0)”. Those regulations basically implement the internationally-recognised “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)”.

The following declaration applies to the entire online platform votesup.eu.

Accessibility statement

votesUP was designed to be as accessible as possible. The technical accessibility check was carried out using the “web accessibility evaluation tool (WAVE)”, among other tools. We check the website at irregular intervals, but at least four times a year.

    Accessible features include, for example:
  • Good operability via keyboard.
  • Content and functional buttons have sufficient sizes and distances to each other.
  • Possibility to jump directly to the footer menu (for the manual and for legal information).
  • Alternative texts for graphics and emojis.
  • Good contrasts in the design.
  • Possibility to change the user language.
  • Screen readers can translate the content into spoken language.
  • Purely decorative elements are hidden from screen readers.

Participation in open and secret ballots is possible without barriers.

What is not yet accessible?

In the modules for event management, individual functions may not be completely accessible: some are not yet easily accessible by keyboard operation. In some spots, links are not yet self-explanatory, but only refer to a “click here”, for example. We are trying to reduce these barriers bit by bit.

If documents are offered for download in the agenda section of events, these documents originate from the respective organisational teams. We have no influence on the accessibility of these documents. If we become aware of problems, we are happy to point out possible improvements to the organisers.

For the time being, we are unable to provide information in simple English or “leichter Sprache“ (German) or in sign language. We lack the expertise to create such content ourselves. However, we are happy to take the initiative if any organisation would like to create this content together with us.

Report a barrier

If you notice any issues with regard to the barrier-free design of this website, please feel free to contact us. We will try to remove existing barriers immediately or, if that is not entirely feasible, to reduce them as far as possible.

Please send us an email via: support@votesup.eu

Arbitration procedure

If you are using votesUP because of requirement by a public or publicly funded body in Germany and you are not satisfied with the answers you get from the contact option above, you can contact a conciliation body. If you are of the opinion that you have been disadvantaged by an insufficiently accessible design of this website, you can contact the BGG arbitration board:

Schlichtungsstelle nach dem Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz bei dem Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für die Belange von Menschen mit Behinderungen

Mauerstraße 53
10117 Berlin

Tel: +49 30 18 527 2805
Email: info@schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de
Website: www.schlichtungsstelle-bgg.de