Multiple media platforms still lack full accessibility for users.
In Baden-Württemberg, a significant shift towards improving media accessibility is underway, aligning with broader federal initiatives in Germany to enforce the Accessibility Enhancement Act (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz, BFSG) that came into effect on June 28, 2025.
The BFSG emphasizes accessibility requirements for webshops, digital services, and media content, including videos, which must now be accessible with professional, semantically meaningful subtitles rather than just automatic captions. This act is a crucial step towards ensuring that digital media and services are accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities.
The monitoring and enforcement of accessibility compliance is coordinated by a new Market Surveillance Body established by the German federal states through a state treaty. Based in Magdeburg, this institution centralizes the oversight of accessibility requirements across Germany, standardizing enforcement and public information efforts.
In Baden-Württemberg, the monitoring office for media accessibility operates within the German Pension Insurance Baden-Württemberg. This office collaborates closely with agencies to help them improve the accessibility of their media offerings and pay more attention to accessibility. The office checks whether the authorities of the state comply with the legal requirements for the accessibility of their websites and apps.
The monitoring office's second activity report, published recently, summarizes the results of around 800 inspections of websites and apps of administrations throughout the state for the years 2022 to 2024. The report shows that the accessibility of websites and apps of public bodies in Baden-Württemberg has improved slightly compared to the first report in 2021. However, many media offerings are still not fully accessible, making it difficult for people with disabilities to use them.
To address this issue, the State Gazette's blog provides tips on how agencies can reach more people on social media by posting in an accessible way, benefiting people with disabilities and all other followers. For instance, many websites still lack information in German sign language for the deaf and in easy-to-understand language for people with intellectual disabilities. An explanation of accessibility is often still missing on websites, requiring authorities to state whether their media offerings are accessible and provide help for affected individuals.
Local organizations such as the anglo-german institute in Stuttgart demonstrate active engagement in improving digital accessibility and encourage feedback to remove existing barriers. This highlights ongoing grassroots and institutional efforts within Baden-Württemberg to advance media accessibility.
Users in Baden-Württemberg can report accessibility issues to state market surveillance authorities, who enforce compliance and strive for continuous improvement. This framework represents a coordinated approach by Baden-Württemberg and other federal states to enhance media accessibility, ensuring digital inclusivity for all users.
For more information, please contact Ralf Schick at r.schick@our website. The new joint market monitoring office for the accessibility of products and services is located in Magdeburg.
The BFSG also applies to technology, as it mandates that digital services and media content, such as videos, should be accessible with professional subtitles to ensure all individuals, including those with disabilities, can access them.
The joint market monitoring office for the accessibility of products and services, based in Magdeburg, is responsible for enforcing compliance with the BFSG across Germany, including for technology.
