What does SlideSync provide in terms of accessibility?
Compliance Foundation - Our Compliance Goal
We have subjected SlideSync to a comprehensive internal and external
accessibility audit, consistently following three key guidelines: WCAG 2.2, EN
301 549, and BITV 2.0.
BITV Test
The BITV test is a German evaluation procedure that assesses websites based on
approximately 60–100 clearly defined test steps. These steps are directly
derived from the Accessibility Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) and
thus reflect the requirements of WCAG 2.1 AA as well as the European standard
EN 301 549. Passing the BITV test awards the official
"BITV-compliant" certification.
WCAG 2.2
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are published by the W3C and form the
technical foundation of worldwide web accessibility. Version 2.2 (October 2023)
supplements WCAG 2.1 with nine new success criteria. These additional
requirements mainly focus on improved keyboard usability and clearer
interactions.
EN 301 549
EN 301 549 is the harmonized EU standard for accessible information and
communication technology. For the web segment, it refers almost one-to-one to
the WCAG criteria (currently 2.1 AA). The next revision (planned as version
4.x) is expected to incorporate the six new WCAG 2.2 AA criteria, ensuring that
public bodies and private providers (under the European Accessibility Act) have
uniform requirements.
How do these relate?
- WCAG provides detailed technical rules.
- EN 301 549 adopts these rules for the European legal framework and extends them to software, hardware, documents, etc.
- BITV 2.0 implements EN 301 549 for Germany.
- The BITV test is the practical audit tool that verifies these exact requirements (plus the six upcoming WCAG 2.2 criteria).
Anyone who passes the extended BITV test today demonstrates compliance with BITV 2.0 / EN 301 549 and is simultaneously prepared for the upcoming WCAG 2.2 extensions.
Collaboration with BLISTA
As part of our accessibility initiative, Media Event Services collaborates
closely with the Nationwide Competence Center for People with Blindness and
Visual Impairment (BLISTA).
BLISTA has already conducted a comprehensive BITV audit of SlideSync based on
WCAG 2.2 / EN 301 549 criteria—initially without formal certification. Based on
this audit report, we are eliminating the last identified barriers so that we
can soon apply for the official BITV certification.