Accessibility statement

hauptstadt.net is meant to be usable by everyone – including people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor impairments or little experience of the internet. We work to the BITV 2.0 and WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards, but haven’t reached that goal everywhere yet. If you come across an obstacle, write to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – we’ll fix it.

Details

Scope

This statement applies to the website https://hauptstadt.net and all its subpages, including the directory of vegan places, the map and the events calendar.

Status of compliance with the requirements

This website is partially compliant with the requirements of the German Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) and the EN 301 549 standard in conjunction with WCAG 2.2 Level AA. The areas listed in the following section do not yet fully meet the requirements.

What has already been implemented

• Semantic HTML with a heading hierarchy and region markup (landmarks), so that screen readers can read the pages out in a meaningful way.
• Full keyboard operability, with a visible focus outline.
• Colour contrast of at least 4.5:1 for body text; information is never conveyed by colour alone.
• Font sizes are scalable; the pages remain usable at 200 per cent zoom and display in a single column on smartphones.
• Controls are at least 24 pixels in size.
• Meaningful link text instead of “click here”; alternative text for images that carry content.
• Addresses, opening hours and phone numbers are always also provided as text, not only in maps or images.
• Every map view has an equivalent list view.
• No automatically playing moving images, no content with flashing effects.

Non-accessible content

The following content is not yet fully accessible, for the reasons stated:

1. Map display in the directory. The interactive OpenStreetMap map can only be used to a limited extent with screen readers and by keyboard alone. As an equivalent alternative, all places are additionally available as a text list with full address. Planned remedy: accessible operation of the map or clear priority for the list view.
2. Search and filter forms in the directory. The forms of the directory component we use are in places not correctly labelled and do not always pass changes to the results on to assistive technology. This also affects the proximity search. Planned remedy: adapting the templates (labels, status messages, error handling).
3. Forms in the events calendar. The date picker and registration forms come from a third-party component and have not yet been fully tested. Until then, registration is always also possible by phone or e-mail with the organiser.
4. PDF documents. Some linked third-party documents – such as menus or programme booklets – are not accessible. We have no influence over third-party documents; on request we will provide the content in an accessible form.
5. Videos. Videos are in preparation. They will be published with subtitles; audio description and sign-language videos are not yet available.
6. Easy-read language and sign language. A complete version in easy-read language (Leichte Sprache) and content in German Sign Language are not yet available.
7. Foreign-language versions. Berlin is an international city; an English version is planned, and further languages will follow as needed.
8. Third-party content. Texts and images entered by businesses and organisations themselves may be inadequately structured or uploaded without alternative text. We review them editorially and point out the requirements in the listing guidelines.

Preparation of this statement

This statement was prepared on 21 August 2026 (automated testing with pa11y, WCAG 2 AA). It is based on a self-assessment using the BITV 2.0 test steps as well as automated tests. An external test under the BITV testing procedure is planned; the result will be published here. The statement is reviewed at least once a year and after major changes.

Feedback and contact (feedback mechanism)

Have you come across a barrier? Do you need content in an accessible form – for example as a plain text file, in larger print or read aloud? Get in touch with us:

• E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Form: Contact form
• Phone and post: [Operator – to be added]

It helps us if you include: the address of the page concerned, a short description of the problem and – if known – the technology you were using (browser, screen reader, operating system). We will confirm receipt and reply as quickly as possible, at the latest within one month. This means of contact can be reached from every page of the portal via the “Accessibility” link.

Enforcement procedure

If you are not satisfied with our reply or do not receive a reply, you can contact a conciliation body. For services of federal public bodies, this is the Conciliation Body under the German Disability Equality Act (Schlichtungsstelle BGG) at the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities, Mauerstraße 53, 10117 Berlin, phone (030) 18 527-2805, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. hauptstadt.net is run by a private provider; the conciliation bodies for public bodies are therefore not responsible for this portal. We nevertheless take every report seriously and strive to find a direct solution.

Since 28 June 2025, digital services provided by private businesses have additionally been subject to the German Accessibility Improvement Act (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz, BFSG); the market surveillance authority is the Market Surveillance Body of the Federal States for the Accessibility of Products and Services (MLBF).

What to do

1. Report a barrier. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the page address and a short description.
2. Request content in another form. On request, we’ll send you a list or an article as a text file.
3. Bypass the map. Use the list view in the directory – all addresses, opening hours and phone numbers are there as text.
4. Adjust the display. Press Ctrl and + (on a Mac: Command and +) to enlarge the text; the pages remain usable.
5. Find accessible places. In the directory, you can filter specifically for step-free access and accessible toilets – where businesses have provided this information.

Where to get help

• Places with accessible entry: filter in the directory.
• Events: view events – each event notes whether the venue is accessible.
• State Commissioners for People with Disabilities (Berlin and Brandenburg): advise on rights to accessibility and participation.
• Supplementary Independent Participation Counselling (EUTB): free advice on services for people with disabilities, with offices in Berlin and Brandenburg too.