Implementation of German BFSG = EU Digital Accessibility Requirements for Websites

We are looking for a freelancer to support the operational implementation of measures for digital accessibility in accordance with **BFSG / WCAG / EN 301 549** for our digital offerings/websites: **two websites and the related onboarding web flows**. The requirements and key findings are already available. We are looking for someone who can independently implement concrete technical adjustments or, where necessary, work together with our internal developers. If needed, the person should also be able to break down work packages clearly and discuss the implementation with internal project management and stakeholders. ## Project Goal The goal of the project is the technical implementation of existing measures to improve digital accessibility. The focus is on frontend adjustments, semantic corrections, accessible usability, accessible forms, screen reader support, media/iframe integrations, and cookie/consent components. The person should work pragmatically, either implementing existing requirements directly or, if necessary, preparing them in such a way that internal developers can work on them immediately. ## Scope of Work ### 1. Implementation of Visual Adjustments and Layout Corrections * Adjust insufficient color contrasts. * Improve zoom behavior, scaling, and responsiveness. * Improve visible focus states. * Optimize scrollable areas. * Adjust CSS, design tokens, or fixed color values. * Correct layout issues that lead to overlapping elements or usability problems when zoomed or displayed responsively. ### 2. Implementation of Semantic HTML Structures * Correct faulty or insufficient HTML semantics. * Properly mark up structured content such as tables, lists, pricing, and information areas. * Improve heading structures, lists, tables, and descriptive elements. * Add meaningful title attributes, especially for embedded content. * Avoid purely visual structuring where content needs to be marked up semantically. ### 3. Implementation of Screen Reader Accessibility * Correct use of ARIA attributes, roles, and states. * Add missing or unclear descriptions for interactive elements. * Improve readability and usability for screen readers. * Implement skip links where useful for navigation and usability. * Adjust icons, buttons, status indicators, and interactive components so they are understandable for assistive technologies. ### 4. Implementation of Accessible Interaction and Usability * Ensure full keyboard accessibility. * Correct the focus order. * Improve focus handling for navigation, modules, forms, and embedded content. * Ensure that interactive elements are clearly recognizable and usable. * Adjust components that are currently only reliably usable with a mouse or touch input. ### 5. Implementation of Accessible Forms and Inputs * Add visible and persistent labels. * Remove placeholders used as label replacements. * Add understandable input guidance, e.g. for input formats or password rules. * Improve error messages so they are clear, understandable, and field-specific. * Correct label bindings and semantic form structure. * Adjust required field indicators. * Ensure that error messages and form states are also accessible to screen readers. ### 6. Implementation of Accessible Media and Embedded Content * Adjust image galleries, sliders, and similar interactive modules. * Improve the usability of galleries via keyboard and screen reader. * Embed iframes accessibly. * Add descriptive iframe titles. * Implement technical adjustments for embedded third-party content where possible within our own system. ### 7. Implementation for Cookie Banners and Consent Tools * Adjust the cookie banner or consent tool from an accessibility perspective. * Correct ARIA issues. * Improve focus handling and keyboard accessibility. * Adjust visible focus states, buttons, labels, and dialog behavior. * Support plugin adjustments, updates, or technical workarounds where the existing components have limitations. ## Work Packages and Collaboration The person we are looking for should translate existing findings into concrete implementation packages and work through them together with the internal teams. This includes: * Breaking down concrete work packages from existing accessibility findings. * Creating or preparing technical tickets. * Defining clear implementation outcomes for each ticket. * Coordinating technical dependencies with internal developers. * Describing technical tasks in such a way that they can be implemented without a new fundamental analysis. * Direct implementation of frontend adjustments where system access and tech stack allow it. * Handover of individual tasks to internal developers where certain areas cannot be implemented directly by the freelancer. * Review and rework of already implemented accessibility-related adjustments. ## Technical Implementation Areas Depending on system access and tech stack, the work will particularly include: * HTML * CSS * JavaScript * WordPress * Templates and components * CSS and contrast corrections * Semantic HTML corrections * ARIA and focus adjustments * Form and error message logic * iframe and media integrations * Cookie and consent components * Responsive layouts and zoom behavior ## Stakeholder Communication The role requires close operational coordination with internal contacts. We expect structured and pragmatic communication with: * Product / Product Owners * Development * Marketing * Project leads * External service providers, if required The person should be able to communicate technical implementation needs clearly, make open dependencies visible, address blockers early, and work with the teams to clarify how individual measures should be implemented. ## Testing and Rework The main focus is implementation. However, after implementation, the completed measures should be technically checked in a traceable way and improved where necessary. This includes: * Short technical checks after implementation * Keyboard accessibility * Focus handling * Screen reader behavior * Zoom behavior * Contrast behavior * Form behavior * Documentation of remaining open points or technical limitations * Rework of implemented measures where they are not yet sufficient ## Expected Results By the end of the collaboration, the following results should be available: * Implemented accessibility measures for Zimmerei and Placed * Clearly defined and completed technical work packages * Clearly documented remaining open points and technical limitations * Actionable handovers to internal developers where tasks cannot be implemented directly by the freelancer * Updated frontend, form, media, iframe, and consent components * A clear overview of which measures have been completed and which still need to be continued internally ## Required Knowledge and Skills Mandatory: * Experience with digital accessibility and WCAG or similar projects * Ideally, experience with BFSG / EN 301 549 * Practical frontend experience or extensive web development experience * Very good knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript * Experience with WordPress * Experience with forms, ARIA, semantic HTML, keyboard accessibility, and screen reader compatibility * Basic understanding of design, layout, and visual accessibility * Ability to translate existing requirements into concrete technical work packages * Structured communication with non-technical stakeholders * Very good communication skills in German and English Nice to have: * TypeScript * UI/UX knowledge * PHP / Laravel * Tailwind CSS * Experience with cookie/consent tools * Experience implementing accessibility measures in real-world web projects