THM Accessibility

This statement on digital accessibility applies to the website of the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen published www.thm.de.

As a public body within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/2102, we strive to make our websites and mobile applications accessible in accordance with the provisions of the Hessian Disability Equality Act (HessBGG) and the Hessian Ordinance on Barrier-Free Information Technology (HVBIT) for the implementation of Directive (EU) 2016/2102.

Status of compliance with requirements

The accessibility requirements arise from Sections 3 paragraphs 1 to 4 and 4 of the HVBIT, which was issued on the basis of Section 14 of the HessBGG.

Centre for Blind and Visually Impaired Students (BliZ) between 16 November 2020 and 18 December 2020 .

Based on the review, the website is only partially compliant with the aforementioned requirements due to the following incompatibilities/exceptions.

Incompatibility with the HVBIT

The content listed below is incompatible with Section 3 Paragraph 1 of the HVBIT and is not accessible for the following reasons:

Barriers

The website of the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen is not managed centrally, but rather decentrally by many editors from different organizational units. To minimize barriers in the long term, these individuals need further training and awareness of the issue. As a general rule, new content should always meet the agreed-upon requirements, and existing content should be adapted accordingly. 

Description

  • Some graphics and graphical controls are not labelled, or are inadequately labelled.
  • The submenu has limited keyboard navigation. Furthermore, the keyboard focus is often not visible.
  • The function that allows students to generate an individual timetable cannot be used with screen readers.
  • Some functions within the application and enrollment process are not accessible.
  • The chat function, which allows students to request general information about studying at THM , has limited usability via keyboard.
  • Some of the color combinations used within the website (green text on a white background or white text on a green background) do not meet the minimum contrast requirements.
  • Some documents on the website are not accessible.

Measures

  • Addition of missing or insufficient labels.
  • Revision of the submenus for improved keyboard navigation options and verification of missing keyboard focus.
  • Optimization of timetable generation for screen readers (currently only an alternative, see below).
  • Adapting the chat tool for better usability or using an accessible alternative.
  • Avoidance of certain color combinations, always taking corporate identity into account.
  • Creation of accessible future documents and gradual conversion of existing documents into an accessible format.

Timeline:
Some measures will be implemented directly, particularly those involving purely technical requirements for the content management system. Other areas, such as accessible documents, are an ongoing process, especially regarding the revision of existing documents.

As an
alternative to individually compiling a timetable, a timetable with all subjects of the respective semester can be viewed in an accessible format.

Date of creation of the accessibility statement

This statement was created on December 21, 2020, and last updated on March 24, 2023.
It was reviewed by the Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Students (BliZ).

Contact person for comments and questions regarding digital accessibility

Would you like to report existing barriers or request information on the implementation of accessibility? For your feedback and any further information, please contact our responsible contact persons.

Advisory service for digital accessibility at the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen

Center for Blind and Visually Impaired Students (BliZ)
Wiesenstraße 14
35390 Giessen
This email address is protected against spambots! JavaScript must be enabled to view it!

Technical contacts for the website:
New Media Department
Ostanlage 37 - 41
35390 Giessen
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Enforcement and Monitoring Agency for Accessible Information Technology

If no satisfactory solution has been found even after you have provided feedback to the contact person mentioned above, you can contact the Enforcement and Monitoring Body for Accessible Information Technology. After a period of six weeks, you have the right to contact the Enforcement and Monitoring Body directly. The ombudsman's office will then attempt to determine the circumstances of the lack of accessibility in consultation with all parties involved, so that the responsible organization can rectify the situation.

Enforcement and Monitoring Agency for Accessible Information Technology

Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration
Headquarters: Giessen Regional Council
Prof. Dr. Erdmuthe Meyer zu Bexten
State Commissioner for Accessible IT
Head of the Enforcement and Monitoring Unit
Landgraf-Philipp-Platz 1-7
35390 Giessen
Telephone: +49 641 303-2901
E-mail: This email address is protected against spambots! JavaScript must be enabled to view it!

Further links and information