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Banking

Strengthening accessibility in online banking
The Barrier-Free Act (Barrierefreiheits-stärkungsgesetz, BFSG) stipulates it - the barrier-free design of online banking services by June 2025.

The Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) transposes Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament on accessibility requirements for products and services into national law. Accordingly, the time-critical requirement calls for proper compliance with and implementation of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium. In this context, it becomes necessary for the developer:inside teams of banks with online banking services to translate all accessibility requirements into actionable service offerings.

A project that often fails due to a lack of strategy and resources. We deliver proven expertise in large projects and experience with offshore development. In addition, we have in-depth know-how in UX implementation in corporate projects. Our consulting services support customers with concrete product measures as well as process and collaboration improvements to ensure future accessibility requirements for releases.

By mid-2025, German companies and organizations are required to offer barrier-free products and electronic services. This is intended to take account of the inclusion of people with disabilities. By the deadline of June 28, 2025, the requirements for websites and electronic services must be transformed and transferred into specific criteria.

The requirements for accessibility in online banking are fundamentally known. The customer's product management already works closely with the Din standard guidelines for usability, which means that a large part of the requirements are already covered. The challenge is rather that permanent changes and adaptations are made to the product. At this point, it is not possible to ensure that accessibility is maintained when the various product parts are brought together. This must be systematically ensured in order to be able to guarantee continuous further development including accessibility.

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Our strategy: We work together with the customer to build solutions that guarantee accessibility for subsequent product development steps as well.

To implement accessibility in the bank's online banking, we take the following steps: First, it is necessary to conduct a status analysis . Based on this, we will create a catalog of criteria for accessibility together with the stakeholders. This should be available by the end of 2023 and support the developer teams in implementing the WCAG 2.0 criteria properly and on time. We also advise on the adaptation of the coding guidelines and the Definition of Done (DOD). In doing so, we focus on the close networking of the different UX and QA teams.

Only through their cooperation and common goal alignment can the project be led to success. During the project, it is important for us to support the teams in their sprint and release acceptance processes. After analyzing the WCAG guidelines, a gap analysis between the ACTUAL and TARGET state will help to estimate the effort more realistically. At the end of the project, we provide the customer with the right tools to automate the accessibility check.

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Banking

Strengthening accessibility in online banking

By June 2025, online banking services must be designed to be accessible and meet the WCAG 2.0 guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium. Many banks face problems due to a lack of strategy and resources. We offer expertise and know-how to support them in the implementation.

CHALLENGE

By mid-2025: Companies and organizations in Germany have to to offer accessible products and services

  • Accessible products and services mandatory for German companies by mid-2025
  • Requirements are known, but changes to online offerings must be systematically checked for accessibility

STRATEGY

Work with customer to ensure accessibility for future product development steps.

  • Status analysis to ensure accessibility in online banking.
  • Compilation of a criteria catalog with stakeholders by the end of 2023
  • Supporting the client's development teams in the proper implementation of the WCAG 2.0 criteria.
  • Adaptation of coding guidelines and Definition of Done (DoD)
  • Focus on close networking of UX and QA teams for common goal alignment.
  • Support of the teams during sprint- and release approvals
  • Gap analysis between ACTUAL and TARGET status for a more realistic assessment of the effort required