Amberg focuses on inclusion: barrier-free websites for everyone!

Amberg focuses on inclusion: barrier-free websites for everyone!

Stadtwerke Amberg is committed to digital accessibility and is opening up important access for all citizens with its new websites. This step is not only a legal obligation, but also part of a larger plan to advance inclusion and equality in the city. Because every person, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations, should have access to information and services. The Oberpfalz Echo reports that the municipal utilities have taken a variety of measures to design their websites in this context.

The essential elements of the new accessibility include clear navigation, easy-to-read fonts and high-contrast color designs. Particularly noteworthy are video and audio content, which is now accompanied by sign language, as well as the use of alternative text descriptions for images and graphics. Content in simple and easy language is also offered to increase understandability for everyone. This particularly affects older people as well as people with cognitive limitations and limited language skills, as set out in the guides on digital accessibility Digital Accessibility.

Joint development for barrier-free websites

A central aspect was the involvement of experts and people with disabilities in the development process of the new websites. The “Easy Language” testing group from Lebenshilfe Amberg, led by Volker Glombitza, made a decisive contribution to the design. Positive reactions show that the offer of easy language is very much appreciated. This form of communication avoids complicated expressions and long sentence structures, which is a great help for people with learning difficulties. Simple and clear terms ensure that even those with less education or language skills can understand the content, as the WKO explains.

But it's not just linguistic accessibility that's important. Digital accessibility also includes technical aspects that ensure that websites can be used with assistive technologies such as screen readers and keyboard controls. The International Digital Accessibility Standards (WCAG) require that websites be designed to be accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. This means that videos and audio files should also have subtitles or transcripts so that no information is lost.

A step towards inclusion

The goal of Stadtwerke Amberg is clear: to create a digital world that is accessible to everyone. Through cooperative work with experts and reports from affected people, an inclusive digital offering is provided. The positive feedback motivates and creates a basis for further development. The collaboration between the municipal utilities and those involved shows that the city of Amberg has a good hand when it comes to assuming social responsibility and promoting inclusion.

This expansion of digital accessibility is not only in accordance with the law, but also an important signal for social participation. Especially from June 2025, there will be mandatory compliance with such requirements, which will increase the pressure on companies and organizations to make their digital offerings inclusive. In this way, Amberg could become a pioneer in digital inclusion.