Accessible for everyone: how the LVR advice compass became barrier-free

two men, both wearing glasses, sitting side by side at desks in a bright, modern office space. They are smiling and giving each other a fist bump, suggesting a moment of celebration or camaraderie | accessibility digital SUNZINET
elasticsearch-agentur-SUNZINET

The Challenge

Meeting the demands of accessibility standards in public digital services

With the implementation of the Online Accessibility Act (OZG) and the Federal Participation Act (BTHG), all government agencies in Germany were required to provide digital access to administrative services and ensure that citizens, including those with impairments, could easily find and use these offerings. Among many public institutions, Landschaftsverband Rheinland faced the challenge of making their existing online platform accessible to people with disabilities. 

The Goal

Achieving BITV 2.1 compliance with a user-centered digital platform

SUNZINET was tasked with developing the LVR Advisory Compass (Beratungskompass)—a centralized, accessible digital platform aimed at providing citizens, seamless access to advisory resources, helping them find the right contact person and schedule appointments. To achieve these objectives, the portal had to comply with the legal requirements outlined in the BITV 2.1 guidelines, ensuring accessibility for all users. Key accessibility requirements include: 

  • Text Alternatives: Providing descriptive alt-text for images to assist visually impaired users. 
  • Keyboard Navigation: Ensuring all interactive elements are fully accessible without a mouse. 
  • Readable Content: Using clear and simple language, including content in easy language and sign language. 
  • Adaptable Layout: Making the interface responsive and compatible with assistive technologies. 
  • Accessible Forms: Ensuring all forms are properly labeled and fully usable with screen readers. 
  • Multimedia Accessibility: Offering captions for videos and transcripts for audio content. 
  • Error Prevention and Handling: Providing clear guidance and user-friendly error messages. 

Strategy & Implementation

To meet LVR’s ambitious goals, SUNZINET adopted a comprehensive, user-centered design approach. The strategy focused on creating an accessible and scalable platform that would provide a seamless experience for all users, particularly those with impairments. The process involved:

 

  • Three colleagues—two men and one woman—are having a conversation while standing in a corridor with large glass walls | accessibility digital SUNZINET

    SUNZINET conducted usability tests using thinking-aloud methods to gather feedback from users with visual and motor impairments. These tests were done iteratively, starting with low-fidelity prototypes and moving to high-fidelity mock-ups. This approach ensured: 

    • Only accessible and useful features were implemented 
    • Compliance with legal accessibility requirements 
    • A product that met both regulatory standards and user expectations 
  • a man and a woman sitting on a gray sofa in a modern office setting. The man, wearing a beige shirt and jeans, is focused on a laptop in his lap, while the woman, dressed in a black suit with a white shirt, is looking at the screen, engaged in the discussion | accessibility digital SUNZINET

    Throughout the project, SUNZINET worked closely with LVR stakeholders from various departments. This collaboration ensured the development of personas and use cases that accurately represented the needs of the target audience. The iterative process included regular feedback loops to optimize usability and align the platform with LVR’s vision.

     

  • a woman with long blonde hair, wearing a dark shirt, writing on a large sheet of paper mounted on an easel. She is focused on her task, carefully writing or drawing as she looks at the sheet | accessibility digital SUNZINET

    To ensure that the project met accessibility requirements without overloading the platform with unnecessary features, the Lean UX methodology was employed. The core principles we followed, included: 

    • Prioritization of high-impact features 
    • Emphasis on feature quality over quantity 
    • Regular usability testing to refine design and functionality 
Three colleagues—two men and one woman—are having a conversation while standing in a corridor with large glass walls | accessibility digital SUNZINET
a man and a woman sitting on a gray sofa in a modern office setting. The man, wearing a beige shirt and jeans, is focused on a laptop in his lap, while the woman, dressed in a black suit with a white shirt, is looking at the screen, engaged in the discussion | accessibility digital SUNZINET
a woman with long blonde hair, wearing a dark shirt, writing on a large sheet of paper mounted on an easel. She is focused on her task, carefully writing or drawing as she looks at the sheet | accessibility digital SUNZINET

Results & Impact

Elevating user experience and accessibility in public services

The LVR Advisory Compass (Beratungskompass) successfully achieved its goal of providing a fully accessible and user-friendly platform. By adhering to accessibility standards and integrating key functionalities, the platform significantly improved the ease of access to advisory services for citizens, especially those with impairments. The following features were critical in ensuring the platform’s success:

three cubes arranged in a triangular pattern. The cubes are outlined in black with a neon green highlight around one of them | accessibility digital SUNZINETModular Architecture: Built on First Spirit CMS, the platform can easily scale to accommodate future updates, new services, and additional features without compromising the user experience. 

a simple line-drawing of a smartphone with three horizontal lines inside, likely representing a list or menu. The design is clean and minimalistic, with a neon green highlight on one side | accessibility digital SUNZINETIntuitive Navigation: A dialog-based advice guide helps users find the right advisory service based on their needs and preferences. 

a simple line-drawing of a magnifying glass, a common symbol for search or zoom functions. The design is minimalistic, with a neon green highlight on one side | accessibility digital SUNZINETEfficient Search Function: Powered by ElasticSearch, the feature enables users to quickly locate relevant advisory topics, services, and contact persons. 

a simple line-drawing of a flowchart or organizational structure. It consists of a horizontal top box connected to three vertical boxes beneath it, representing a hierarchy or a branching process | accessibility digital SUNZINETCentralized Database: All service and contact information are stored in a single, consolidated database, making it easy for users to find and access the resources they need. 

a line-drawing of a map with a location pin on it, symbolizing navigation or geolocation. The map is divided into sections, and the location pin is placed in the center, indicating a specific point or destination | accessibility digital SUNZINETGeo-Referencing: Integration with OpenStreetMap allows users to find local services and facilities easily, helping them locate nearby advisory options. 

a simple line-drawing of a computer screen with a pencil next to it, symbolizing editing or content creation. The pencil suggests that changes, writing, or modifications are being made to something on the screen | accessibility digital SUNZINETDigital Forms: LUCOM WebForm Integration enables users to fill out and submit documents directly within the portal, removing the need for paper-based forms. 

a line-drawing of a computer screen with a lock symbol in the center, indicating security or privacy. The lock represents the concept of protection or restricted access to the content on the screen | accessibility digital SUNZINETSecure Authentication: Integration with Servicekonto.NRW  provides secure access to a wide range of public services through a simplified login process. 

a line-drawing of a computer screen and a mobile phone, with a connecting line between them. This design symbolizes synchronization or interaction between different devices, such as sharing or transferring data | accessibility digital SUNZINETResponsive Layout: The platform was designed to be flexible and adaptable to various devices, ensuring accessibility across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. 

a line-drawing of a laptop with a speech bubble containing an exclamation mark, symbolizing a warning or alert. The exclamation mark suggests something important or requiring attention | accessibility digital SUNZINETUser-Friendly Error Handling: Clear instructions and error messages assist users in navigating the platform smoothly, preventing frustration and confusion. 

a simple line-drawing of a check mark inside a circle, symbolizing completion, approval, or a successful task. The design is clean and minimalistic, with a neon green highlight on one side | accessibility digital SUNZINETAccessibility Statement: The platform features a BITV §4-compliant accessibility declaration, with an option for users to report accessibility concerns. 

a simple line-drawing of a document with a folded corner, featuring the letters "PDF" in the center. This icon represents a PDF file, commonly used for documents | accessibility digital SUNZINETAccessible PDF Documents: All downloadable PDFs adhere to the PDF/UA standard, ensuring barrier-free access. 

 

At the core of the project was a user-friendly, barrier-free design that emphasized intuitive access to advisory services. The LVR Advisory Compass was built to eliminate barriers, streamline the user journey, and ensure that everyone—regardless of their abilities—could easily find and engage with the support they need. By focusing on accessibility and usability, the platform not only meets legal requirements but also delivers a seamless, inclusive experience that benefits both the users and the LVR organization. This solution empowers LVR to serve citizens more effectively, improve internal processes, and position itself as a leader in accessible public services.

beratungskompass.lvr.de_alltagssprache_(Nest Hub Max)

About our Collaboration

"During the implementation of the web portal 'Beratungskompass' we were accompanied by SUNZINET GmbH during the entire course of the project and were glad to be inspired by ideas and suggestions that inspired us, especially in the field of user experience."

- Dr. Stephanie Schneider, Beratungskompass Product Owner

The Customer

Landschaftsverband Rheinland (LVR) is a regional authority based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, responsible for a wide range of cultural, social, and healthcare services throughout the Rhineland region. LVR plays a key role in supporting individuals with disabilities, operating psychiatric hospitals, and managing cultural institutions such as museums and archives. Additionally, the organization is involved in youth welfare, running schools for children with special needs, and overseeing the preservation of historical monuments. LVR's diverse responsibilities make it a cornerstone of public service, dedicated to promoting inclusion and well-being across the region. 

Ready to make your digital services more accessible?

Simply fill in the form to arrange an initial, no-obligation meeting and we will get back to you within 24 hours on working days.

In this first meeting, we will talk about your challenges and goals and suggest possible next steps!

csm_Simona-Mayer-570x570

Simona Mayer

CRO SUNZINET

mayer.simona@sunzinet.com

0221 / 355 009 13

By submitting the form, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy, inculding our use of cookies.