How to make your website accessible
On this page:
Introduction to Web Accessibility
General Principles
Responsibilities
Publishing Technical Updates
Exceptions
Accessibility Statement
Required Content Steps
Required Practical Steps
Would you like our help to make your content accessible?
The Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) is Germany’s primary regulation governing web accessibility. It is based on the EU directive on this topic and ensures that public websites and apps are accessible—meaning that all individuals, regardless of their personal circumstances, are able to use and navigate public websites and apps on an equal basis.
At a high level, this means:
Websites and/or apps must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards
A public accessibility statement must be added to your website
There must be a clear feedback and response process for users
Regular accessibility testing must be carried out to ensure ongoing compliance
Relevant staff must be appropriately trained
Transparent documentation of processes, feedback, etc.
In addition to the more specific guidelines listed below, the following general principles can serve as a helpful guide when working on web accessibility for your ChurchDesk website. Your site and its content should be:
Perceivable – Everyone should be able to access all content (both visually and audibly)
Operable – The site should be navigable by all users, including those who use a keyboard instead of a mouse
Understandable – Content should be simple and predictable
Robust – Compatible with current and future assistive tools/technologies
ChurchDesk is responsible for and ensures compliance with all technical requirements, such as keyboard navigation. However, each church is responsible for the accessibility of all content on its website.
If you’re unsure whether your site meets the necessary standards, we recommend using a free testing tool (e.g. this one). There’s no need to hire an external company for testing—this would be unnecessarily costly. A free tool is sufficient.
Once we’ve made accessibility-related updates to your site’s design, you’ll need to republish your website once to make those changes visible.
There are several exceptions to the above requirements. These include:
Old and/or archived content – Non-essential content published before September 23, 2018, is exempt. This also applies to archived content/files.
Live audio or video – Exempt if making it accessible would require a disproportionate effort.
Third-party content – This includes content not controlled by the church (e.g. embedded maps).
A current accessibility statement is a legal requirement for every accessible website. It must be available and easily accessible to all visitors.
In the following article, we explain how to create and publish an accessibility statement for your website:
Create and publish an accessibility statement for your website
Text & images – Use appropriate sizes, apply correct taxonomy (e.g. H1, H2, H3…), and add alternative (alt) text to images (see below for how).
Video or audio content – Add subtitles or transcripts (see below for exceptions).
Forms & buttons – Use clear labels; error messages must be understandable and easy to find.
Documents – PDFs must be properly formatted (scanned documents usually don’t meet the standard).
Contrast – Ensure a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (bold over 14 pt. or regular over 18 pt.), as well as for graphic elements, buttons, form fields, and icons.
Published statement & feedback mechanisms – Your website must include an accessibility statement and offer a clear, accessible process for user feedback.
You’ll find more helpful articles here:
Navigate dropdown menus using only a keyboard
Global colors – How to change your website's color scheme
Insert alt text for images
Create and publish an accessibility statement for your website
How to add a link to your website footer (e.g. for the accessibility statement)
While it's entirely possible for churches to make their websites accessible themselves, many have chosen to let us take care of it—either to save time or to ensure that everything is done correctly.
We’re offering a 25% discount until June 1, 2025 to help you get started!
Once we’ve made accessibility-related updates to your site’s design, you’ll need to republish your website once to make those changes visible. After your website has been made accessible, it’s your responsibility to maintain compliance going forward.
For more information about our Web Accessibility Service—or to order it directly—please click here.
Keywords: Accessibility Accessible website, BITV 2.0, WCAG 2.1, Church website, Alt text, Accessible PDFs, Accessible forms, Keyboard navigation, Color contrast, Accessible content, Public website accessibility, Accessibility statement, Inclusive web design, Make website accessible
Introduction to Web Accessibility
General Principles
Responsibilities
Publishing Technical Updates
Exceptions
Accessibility Statement
Required Content Steps
Required Practical Steps
Would you like our help to make your content accessible?
Introduction to Web Accessibility
The Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) is Germany’s primary regulation governing web accessibility. It is based on the EU directive on this topic and ensures that public websites and apps are accessible—meaning that all individuals, regardless of their personal circumstances, are able to use and navigate public websites and apps on an equal basis.
At a high level, this means:
Websites and/or apps must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards
A public accessibility statement must be added to your website
There must be a clear feedback and response process for users
Regular accessibility testing must be carried out to ensure ongoing compliance
Relevant staff must be appropriately trained
Transparent documentation of processes, feedback, etc.
General Principles
In addition to the more specific guidelines listed below, the following general principles can serve as a helpful guide when working on web accessibility for your ChurchDesk website. Your site and its content should be:
Perceivable – Everyone should be able to access all content (both visually and audibly)
Operable – The site should be navigable by all users, including those who use a keyboard instead of a mouse
Understandable – Content should be simple and predictable
Robust – Compatible with current and future assistive tools/technologies
Responsibilities
ChurchDesk is responsible for and ensures compliance with all technical requirements, such as keyboard navigation. However, each church is responsible for the accessibility of all content on its website.
If you’re unsure whether your site meets the necessary standards, we recommend using a free testing tool (e.g. this one). There’s no need to hire an external company for testing—this would be unnecessarily costly. A free tool is sufficient.
Publishing Technical Updates
Once we’ve made accessibility-related updates to your site’s design, you’ll need to republish your website once to make those changes visible.
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the above requirements. These include:
Old and/or archived content – Non-essential content published before September 23, 2018, is exempt. This also applies to archived content/files.
Live audio or video – Exempt if making it accessible would require a disproportionate effort.
Third-party content – This includes content not controlled by the church (e.g. embedded maps).
Accessibility Statement
A current accessibility statement is a legal requirement for every accessible website. It must be available and easily accessible to all visitors.
In the following article, we explain how to create and publish an accessibility statement for your website:
Create and publish an accessibility statement for your website
Required Content Steps
Text & images – Use appropriate sizes, apply correct taxonomy (e.g. H1, H2, H3…), and add alternative (alt) text to images (see below for how).
Video or audio content – Add subtitles or transcripts (see below for exceptions).
Forms & buttons – Use clear labels; error messages must be understandable and easy to find.
Documents – PDFs must be properly formatted (scanned documents usually don’t meet the standard).
Contrast – Ensure a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (bold over 14 pt. or regular over 18 pt.), as well as for graphic elements, buttons, form fields, and icons.
Published statement & feedback mechanisms – Your website must include an accessibility statement and offer a clear, accessible process for user feedback.
Required Practical Steps
You’ll find more helpful articles here:
Navigate dropdown menus using only a keyboard
Global colors – How to change your website's color scheme
Insert alt text for images
Create and publish an accessibility statement for your website
How to add a link to your website footer (e.g. for the accessibility statement)
Would you like help making your content accessible?
While it's entirely possible for churches to make their websites accessible themselves, many have chosen to let us take care of it—either to save time or to ensure that everything is done correctly.
We’re offering a 25% discount until June 1, 2025 to help you get started!
Once we’ve made accessibility-related updates to your site’s design, you’ll need to republish your website once to make those changes visible. After your website has been made accessible, it’s your responsibility to maintain compliance going forward.
For more information about our Web Accessibility Service—or to order it directly—please click here.
Keywords: Accessibility Accessible website, BITV 2.0, WCAG 2.1, Church website, Alt text, Accessible PDFs, Accessible forms, Keyboard navigation, Color contrast, Accessible content, Public website accessibility, Accessibility statement, Inclusive web design, Make website accessible
Updated on: 04/06/2025
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