VirtualSP

Accessibility statement

Last updated: 29 September 2026

Bielefeld University is committed to making its websites and mobile applications accessible in accordance with Sections 10a to 10e of the North Rhine-Westphalia Disability Equality Act (Behindertengleichstellungsgesetz Nordrhein-Westfalen, BGG NRW) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung Nordrhein-Westfalen, BITV NRW). Both transpose Directive (EU) 2016/2102; the benchmark is the European standard EN 301 549, which is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA.

This statement applies to the website virtualsp.de and to the VirtualSP application, which is used after signing in at the address of the respective faculty or university (for example medfakowl.virtualsp.de), each in its German and English versions.

Compliance status

The website and the application are partially compliant with the BITV NRW. The non-compliances and exemptions are listed below.

Non-accessible content

Non-compliance with the BITV NRW

  • Training in the application is a spoken conversation: it requires a microphone, and the simulated person answers by voice only. No text appears during the conversation, and keyboard input is not possible; the conversation is available as text only afterwards, in the debriefing. Anyone who cannot speak or cannot hear is unable to use the training. The same applies to test conversations for teachers and to the conversation lab for administrators.
  • The live demo on the home page of the website is the same kind of conversation, with the same limitations.
  • Not all sections of the application are marked up as headings, for example on the conversation stage, on the password and invitation pages and on error pages; in two places the heading structure skips a level. With a screen reader, these sections cannot be reached via the headings.
  • The sign-in page of the application is not divided into landmarks; a screen reader cannot find its content via the list of landmarks.
  • The “Changelog” page of the application can be scrolled by keyboard only after using the “Skip to content” link.
  • On narrow screens, the collapsible main navigation menu of the website opens only with JavaScript. Without JavaScript, the same pages can be reached via the links at the foot of every page.
  • The website and the application have not yet been tested with a screen reader.

Content outside the scope of the legislation

Links lead to the staff directory of Bielefeld University and to third-party publications. Their providers are responsible for the accessibility of those services.

What the website and the application do for accessibility

  • Every page can be operated entirely by keyboard, with a visible focus. The pages of the website and the views of the application after signing in have a skip link to the main content.
  • On the conversation stage, the focus follows every step, from the brief to the debriefing. A screen reader announces when a conversation starts and ends, but not the clock every second.
  • The pages of the website have one main heading and an unbroken heading structure; navigation, main content and footer are marked up as landmarks. In the application, the sidebar is marked up as a navigation landmark, and every view names itself in the title of the browser tab.
  • The pages of the website can be read without JavaScript; only the moving parts need it. The application requires JavaScript.
  • Light and dark colour scheme; the colour contrasts of both schemes are checked against WCAG 2.1 AA with every build.
  • The application can be read at a width of 320 pixels without horizontal scrolling; only wide tables scroll within themselves.
  • On the website the language is part of the address, in the application it follows the setting; in both it is marked up in the document. Quotations in another language are marked up separately on the website so that a screen reader reads them correctly.
  • Anyone who has set their system to reduce motion sees no animations. Nothing plays automatically on the website; in the application the phone rings before a call, and this sound can be switched off.
  • Links in the footer of the website that open in a new tab say so for screen readers as well.

Preparation of this statement

This statement was prepared for the website on 16 September 2026 and extended to the application on 29 September 2026. It is based on a self-assessment by the development team. For the website: operating all public pages by keyboard, automated testing of the pages with the tool axe, and the contrast check that is part of the build. For the application: automated testing of 27 views with axe, operating these views and a complete conversation by keyboard, and their display at a width of 320 pixels. Testing with screen readers (VoiceOver, NVDA) is still outstanding and will be carried out. The statement is reviewed at least once a year and whenever there is a substantial change.

Feedback and contact

Have you noticed barriers when accessing the website or the application, or do you need content in an accessible form? Please write to us. We will reply as quickly as possible and say what we are going to change.

Dr. med. Johannes Bittner
Medical School OWL, Simulation and Communication Lab (SCoLa)
Bielefeld University
Universitätsstraße 25
33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Email: johannes.bittner@uni-bielefeld.de

Enforcement procedure

If you receive no reply to your feedback, or no satisfactory one, you can contact the Ombudsman’s Office for Barrier-Free Information Technology of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Ombudsstelle für barrierefreie Informationstechnik). It is part of the office of the State Commissioner for the Interests of People with Disabilities (Sections 10d and 10e BGG NRW) and mediates between you and Bielefeld University so that the accessibility requirements are met. The procedure is conducted in German.

Ombudsstelle für barrierefreie Informationstechnik des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen
bei der Landesbeauftragten für die Belange der Menschen mit Behinderung
Fürstenwall 25
40219 Düsseldorf, Germany
Email: ombudsstelle-barrierefreie-it@mags.nrw.de
Website: www.mags.nrw/ombudsstelle-barrierefreie-informationstechnik