Barrierfree webdesign

Our barrierfree designed sites are labelled with following logo:

"Barrierfree webdesign". The wheelchair ramp for the internet?!

In many places the internet as medium for information and communication has become a part of everyday life. One could no longer imagine life without it. However, the technique thwarts a great group of humans: They are barred by this kind of information. For people with visual impairment or motor disturbances the ordinary keyboard-monitor-mouse-combination can be a problem. The appliance of these devices is difficult or even impossible for them. There were generated alternative input and output devices In order to give those people access to the websites and their information despite their handicaps. Unfortunately only a fraction of the information in the internet can be examined, because most websites do not support the requirements for the output or operation of the devices. So that these devices operate a website have to fulfill specific requirements or, alternatively being programmed accordingly to a certain standard.

Regulated by law

For a part of the site provider the barrierfree webdesign is actual already prescription. Agencies of the federal administration are legally oblicated to design barrierfree websites. Since july 2002 all new sites have to achieve the guidelines for Barrier Free. At the latest until december 31th 2005 all "old" web presences too have to be changed into barrierfree design.

Barrierfree Webdesign at E-Formation

About one year ago E-Formation started with creating barrierfree webpages. Since january we have paticipated to 20% in diakonie.net online GmbH (further co-partner is amogst others the deaconry Germany). Meanwhile we have developed a content management system which displays the sites in barrierfree design. Even the input of information can be completed through a barrierfree web-interface. This means that also the internet subeditors with aforementionened handicaps have the possibility to advice web pages.

Individal design, usability and barrier free can be linked together without any problems. We are one among a few service providers in this sector who considers all aspects of this kind of programming in equal measure.