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UHHApp
UHHApp

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UHHApp Accessibility Statement

This accessibility statement applies to the UHHApp, insofar as it is installed on mobile devices from the Android and Apple app stores.

The University of Hamburg is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. Our goal is to make the UHHApp accessible in accordance with the Ordinance on the Creation of Accessible Information Technology for People with Disabilities (Hamburgische Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung HmbBITVO) of September 10, 2019. We want the UHHApp to be easily accessible to all users and are continuously working to improve its accessibility.

The legal basis is Section 11 (1) of the Hamburg Act on Equal Opportunities for People with Disabilities (Hamburg Disability Equality Act – HmbBGG) in conjunction with Article 12 (3)(c) of Directive (EU) 2016/2102 on the accessible access to websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies. The technical accessibility requirements are based on BITV 2.0.

Current compliance

The accessibility requirements arise from Section 1 of the HmbBITVO in conjunction with Sections 3 (1) to (4) and Section 4 of the federal BITV, which was enacted on the basis of Section 11 of the HmbBGG.

The review of compliance with the requirements is based on an assessment carried out at the University of Hamburg by the department responsible for the subject matter, as of September 19, 2025. The evaluation was conducted in accordance with HmbBITVO / BITV 2.0 / EN 301 549 / WCAG 2.1 using the following test procedure: BITV-20-App Apptest-BIT-Inklusiv 

Result of the review dated September 19, 2025: The UHHApp is designed to be easily accessible for all users in many areas. However, the UHHApp is not yet fully BITV-compliant. The requirements will continue to be implemented as part of technical revisions to the UHHApp.

Non-accessible content

  • 5 General requirements    
    • 5.2 Aktivierung von Barrierefreiheitsfunktionen - Activation of accessibility features - partially met -
      The app allows the mode to be set via: Settings > Design (Light, Dark, System). Result: the basic function works without errors, but the switches for changing the design are not read correctly by TalkBack; it is not clear which switch is currently active.
  • 11.1.1 Text alternatives    
  • 11.1.3 Adaptable    
    • 11.1.3.1a Info und Beziehungen – Überschriften  - Headings - partially met  -
      Page headings (app header) are marked as headings, but without structural hierarchy (e.g., H1). In the content area, headings are generally marked as headings, but only partly with structural hierarchy (H1, H2, H3, etc.).
    • 11.1.3.1d Info und Beziehungen – Formularelemente - Info and relationships - form elements - partially met  -
      The form fields in the app login area, library login area, and on the Info/Feedback page work correctly and are labeled correctly. In some cases, TalkBack does not announce the status (activated), and some checkboxes cannot be reached with TalkBack at all.
    • 11.1.3.4 Ausrichtung  - Orientation - partially met -
      The app is not optimized for landscape orientation.
  • 11.1.4 Distinguishable   
    • 11.1.4.1 Benutzung von Farbe  - Use of color - partially met  -
      There are currently two issues: 

      1) Cafeterias: When individual cafeterias are marked as favorites, this is communicated only through color (red heart). Screen reader users cannot focus on, select, or hear that the hearts are activated. 

      2) Favorite stars, e.g. for appointments: These can generally be focused, but they are identified only as a button and are missing a name. Activation is noticeable only through the yellow color. Even when the star is active, the announcement is “Double-tap to activate.”
    • 11.1.4.4 Textgröße ändern  - Resize text - partially met  -
      The app remains usable even with zoom enabled. In some areas, large font sizes may cause display problems. The app does not have its own text-size adjustment controls.
    • 11.1.4.11 Nicht-Text-Kontrast  - Non-text contrast - partially met  -
      The non-text contrast in the app appears sufficient upon review.
  • 11.2.1 Keyboard accessible   
    • 11.2.1.1 Tastatur - Keyboard - not met  - 
      There are various issues with focusing content and controls when using an external keyboard.
    • 11.2.1.2 Keine Tastaturfalle - No keyboard trap - not met  - 
      There are various keyboard traps in menus and content due to insufficient keyboard operability (see 11.2.1.1). 
  • 11.2.4 Navigable    
    • 11.2.4.3 Fokus-Reihenfolge  - Focus order - partially met  -
      The focus order when using an external keyboard is correct. However, there are limitations when using the Tab key and arrow keys (see 11.2.1.1).
    • 11.2.4.4 Linkzweck (im Kontext)  -Link purpose (in context) - partially met  -
      This criterion is largely met. Note: There are generic buttons (e.g., “More”) that are actually links, but are not announced as such.
    • 11.2.4.7 Fokus sichtbar  - Focus visible - partially met  -
      Compliance with this criterion is limited by the weaknesses in external keyboard use (see 11.2.1.1).
  • 11.2.5 Input modalities   
  • 11.3.1 Readable    
    • 11.3.1.1 Sprache der Software - Language of software - not met - 
      Current limitation: The app is only available in German, although the app language follows the system language and pronunciation rules. 
  • 11.3.2 Predictable   
    • 11.3.2.2 Bei Eingabe  - On input - partially met  -
      The perception and activation of notices and elements can be improved in some cases.
  • 11.3.3 Input assistance   
    • 11.3.3.1 Fehlerkennzeichnung  - Error identification - partially met  -
      Detailed error messages are provided for incorrect input. There are limitations in web content displayed within the app.
    • 11.3.3.2 Beschriftungen (Labels) oder Anweisungen  - Labels or instructions - partially met  -
      All form fields are equipped with corresponding labels. There are limitations in web content displayed within the app.
  • 11.4.1 Compatible    
    • 11.4.1.2 Name, Rolle, Wert  - Name, role, value - partially met  -
      The app has some weaknesses with respect to this criterion. Some buttons are not named (name), for others the status (e.g., activated, not activated) is not announced; even for activated buttons, the announcement is “Double-tap to activate” (value). There are links that are marked only as switches (role).
  • 11.5 Accessibility services    
  • 11.7 User preferences    
    • 11.7 Benutzerpräferenzen  -User preferences - partially met -
      The app adopts the system’s color settings. It also adopts font size settings and, for example, bold text settings. On some pages, content overlaps may occur.
  • 12 Documentation and Support    
    • 12.2.3 Effektive Kommunikation  - Effective communication - partially met  -
      For people with various disabilities, different communication channels are important. At least two alternatives are recommended. The app offers a contact and feedback form in the Info section. It would be advisable to also include a phone contact there. At present, phone contact details are listed only in the legal notice and in the accessibility section, and may therefore be somewhat difficult to find.

  • PDF, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents offered for download as part of the UHHApp or on linked websites are currently not all available in accessible formats, but are being systematically revised. Newly added files should be created in accessible formats or replaced with accessible versions as quickly as possible. In general, the University is pursuing the strategy of reducing the total number of documents and increasingly using accessible implementations in the form of websites or web forms.

  • Video and audio files embedded in the UHHApp or on linked websites are currently only partially provided with subtitles, audio descriptions, or transcripts. For newly added videos, we make every effort to add subtitles as quickly as possible after publication.

  • Some services are linked in the UHHApp, meaning that websites or web applications of the University or external providers are opened in the web browser. The respective accessibility statements linked there apply to these linked services.

Feedback and Contact

Have you noticed serious accessibility issues in the UHHApp? Contact us by mail, phone, or email.

University of Hamburg
Center for Sustainable Research Data Management
- UHHApp -
Bundesstraße 56a (MIN-Forum)
20146 Hamburg, Germany

Tel.: +49 40 23952-3844
Email: app"AT"uni-hamburg.de 

Arbitration procedure

If you are unable to find a satisfactory solution, even after providing feedback to the address provided above, you may contact the ombudsperson’s office provided for in Section 13a HmbBGG (German: Schlichtungsstelle HmbBGG). This ombudsperson is tasked with fostering an extrajudicial resolution for conflicts between persons with a disability and public offices. The arbitration procedure is free. Legal counsel is not required.

Schlichtungsstelle HmbBGG
c/o Öffentliche Rechtsauskunft- und Vergleichsstelle (ÖRA)
Dammtorstraße 14
20354 Hamburg, Germany

Email: schlichtungsstelle-hmbbgg"AT"soziales.hamburg.de 
Tel: +49 40 42843-3056