SP-Szenarien

Accessibility statement

Last updated: 21 September 2026

Bielefeld University is committed to making its websites and mobile applications accessible in accordance with Sections 10a to 10e of the North Rhine-Westphalia Disability Equality Act (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz Nordrhein-Westfalen, BGG NRW) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung Nordrhein-Westfalen, BITV NRW). Both transpose Directive (EU) 2016/2102; the benchmark is the European standard EN 301 549, which is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA.

This statement applies to the website virtualsp.de in its German and English versions. The VirtualSP application used after signing in is not covered by this statement.

Compliance status

This website is partially compliant with the BITV NRW. The non-compliances and exemptions are listed below.

Non-accessible content

Non-compliance with the BITV NRW

  • On narrow screens, the collapsible main navigation menu opens only with JavaScript. Without JavaScript, the same pages can be reached via the links at the foot of every page.
  • Subscribing to the newsletter, and the two pages on which a link from a newsletter message is redeemed, require JavaScript. Without JavaScript they are readable but not operable; anyone wishing to subscribe or unsubscribe can write to us instead — the address is at the foot of every page.
  • The pages have not yet been tested with a screen reader.

Content outside the scope of the legislation

Links lead to the staff directory of Bielefeld University and to third-party publications. Their providers are responsible for the accessibility of those services.

What this website does for accessibility

  • All content can be read without JavaScript; only the moving parts need it.
  • Every page can be operated entirely by keyboard, with a visible focus and a skip link to the main content.
  • Every page has one main heading and an unbroken heading structure; navigation, main content and footer are marked up as landmarks.
  • Light and dark colour scheme; the colour contrasts of both schemes are checked against WCAG 2.1 AA every time the website is built.
  • The language is part of the address and of the document; quotations in another language are marked up separately so that a screen reader reads them correctly.
  • Nothing plays automatically. Anyone who has set their system to reduce motion sees no animations.
  • Links that open in a new tab say so for screen readers as well.

Preparation of this statement

This statement was prepared on 16 September 2026. It is based on a self-assessment by the development team: operating all public pages by keyboard, automated testing of the pages with the tool axe, and the contrast check that is part of building the website. Testing with screen readers (VoiceOver, NVDA) is still outstanding and will be carried out. The statement is reviewed at least once a year and whenever there is a substantial change.

Feedback and contact

Have you noticed barriers when accessing this website, or do you need content in an accessible form? Please write to us. We will reply as quickly as possible and say what we are going to change.

Dr. med. Johannes Bittner
Medical School OWL, Simulation and Communication Lab (SCoLa)
Bielefeld University
Universitätsstraße 25
33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Email: johannes.bittner@uni-bielefeld.de

Enforcement procedure

If you receive no reply to your feedback, or no satisfactory one, you can contact the Ombudsman’s Office for Barrier-Free Information Technology of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Ombudsstelle für barrierefreie Informationstechnik). It is part of the office of the State Commissioner for the Interests of People with Disabilities (Sections 10d and 10e BGG NRW) and mediates between you and Bielefeld University so that the accessibility requirements are met. The procedure is conducted in German.

Ombudsstelle für barrierefreie Informationstechnik des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen
bei der Landesbeauftragten für die Belange der Menschen mit Behinderung
Fürstenwall 25
40219 Düsseldorf, Germany
Email: ombudsstelle-barrierefreie-it@mags.nrw.de
Website: www.mags.nrw/ombudsstelle-barrierefreie-informationstechnik