Accessibility audit · WCAG 2.2 · EAA · EN 301 549 · ACR/VPAT

The accessibility audit for legal requirements – Human-in-the-loop, WCAG 2.2, with ifdb certification.

60 to 70 percent of the WCAG criteria cannot be tested automatically. Only humans can find these: keyboard traps that a script cannot navigate; screen reader behavior that only becomes apparent in a real-world user context; and form workflows that look technically correct but are practically unusable. Access Ready® identifies precisely these issues — using real users of assistive technologies such as JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver, and a testing process that no automated scan can replicate. The result is the ifdb certificate: documentation of the audited state that carries weight at C-level and paves the way for Access Protect® – a contractual assumption of liability for the German BFSG, available only with an Access Ready® certificate and ongoing Access Guard® monitoring. On request, we document the results as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) based on the VPAT® template – the format procurement teams in the US ask for.

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That is why no scan tool can replace this process. How Access Ready® works

A proper accessibility audit is not simply a matter of clicking ‘Analyze’. It is a structured review process that combines technical depth with human judgment. Access Ready® follows the internationally recognized WCAG evaluation methodology — and goes further where automated tools fall short.

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Step 01 –
In-depth technical scan as a starting point

First, we establish the technical baseline using a fully automated WCAG 2.2 scan. Playwright and axe-core check Shadow DOM structures, identify keyboard traps and systematically document the findings — as a foundation for the human review process, not as a substitute for it

Step 02 –
Manual testing with real AT users

Our audit team manually tests your digital offerings using JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver — combined with a panel of real users who use assistive technologies on a daily basis. This testing covers 60 to 70 percent of the WCAG criteria that no automated scanner can reliably detect. This is at the heart of our structural competitive advantage.

Step 03 –
Inspection report, list of defects and remediation

You will receive a comprehensive test report detailing prioritized defects, specific recommendations for action and technical solutions for your development team. During the remediation phase, we will support you in resolving the issues — providing expert, pragmatic guidance and keeping in mind what ultimately matters: the certificate.

Step 04 –
ifdb certificate

Once all identified issues have been resolved, you will receive the ifdb certificate. It documents the audited state: which criteria were tested, how, and with what result — the strongest argument at C-level and a prerequisite for Access Protect® – available for the German BFSG only, with ongoing Access Guard® monitoring.

WHY COMPANIES USE ACCESS READY®

What no automated scanner in the world can find

There is a reason why no standalone scanning tool can show whether the requirements of the BFSG are met: software evaluates rules. People evaluate experiences. And accessibility is an experience.

An automated scanner detects missing alt text. It does not detect whether existing alt text provides a meaningful description of what a screen reader user needs to know. It detects contrast ratios. It does not detect whether a dynamic interface can be navigated logically while in keyboard focus mode. It detects ARIA roles. It does not detect whether these roles are communicated correctly in a real-world usage context.

Access Ready® closes this gap — not with more algorithms, but with real people. Our ‘human-in-the-loop’ process combines all three levels of testing: automated testing, manual expert evaluation and real AT users. This combination is what our audit is built on. This is not a premium feature. It is the minimum requirement for genuine compliance.

Anyone who understands this will realize why the ifdb’s Access Ready® certificate is recognized by businesses.

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ACCESS READY® IN THE ECOSYSTEM

The certificate as a foundation – for protection, monitoring and knowledge

Access Ready® is at the core of the ifdb ecosystem. Not because we say so — but because no other product is complete without it. The certificate unlocks Access Protect. The audit identifies where Access Guard® needs to intervene. The audit report determines what the Access Academy® teaches.

Access Academy®

picks up exactly where the audit report identifies gaps. After all, the audit doesn’t just highlight the issues — it shows which department is lacking what knowledge. Access Academy® provides tailor-made training for developers, UX teams, marketing and legal departments as a natural upsell arising from the audit.

Access Academy

Access Guard®

maintains this standard. Every time the website is updated, new barriers may arise – our monitoring system detects them before they become a problem.

Access Guard

Access Protect®

assumes liability. A contractual assumption of liability for warning letters under the German BFSG, based on a passed audit and ongoing Access Guard® monitoring – a level of protection that a mere overlay can never provide.

Access Protect

Designed for organizations that need robust compliance – not just the impression of it

  • Enterprise organizations and corporate groups,
    who need legal clarity — not a dashboard that lights up green. For senior management who want to know whether their company would pass a BFSG audit.
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises,
    who are looking for a reliable, comprehensive solution — without three different providers, without greenwashing promises and without the risk of being left to manage the situation on their own when it really matters.
  • Digital agencies and development service providers,
    who wish to provide their customers with accessibility as a verifiable quality standard — with a certificate that has been externally validated and can be presented to clients and public authorities.
  • Public institutions and B2G organizations,
    which are subject to BITV 2.0 and BFSG and must be prepared for an inspection by market surveillance authorities — with an audit that documents these requirements criterion by criterion.
Two women in business attire working together on a laptop – BFSG in-depth audit with IFDB certification for enterprises, SMEs and digital agencies in accordance with WCAG 2.2 and EN 301 549
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about
Access Ready®

The ifdb certificate confirms that a comprehensive audit has been carried out in accordance with WCAG 2.2, combining technical testing, manual evaluation and real assistive technology users. It documents what was tested, how, and with what result, and can be presented in the event of an official inspection or legal proceedings.

2. What exactly does Access Ready® review – and what does it not cover?

Access Ready® checks all WCAG 2.2 criteria for websites and apps that can be tested automatically or manually. These include keyboard accessibility, screen reader compatibility, color contrast, form structure, page structure and dynamic content. Not included in the scope: PDFs and documents — Access Doc® covers these.

That depends on the scope and complexity of your digital offerings. For a medium-sized website with five to ten subpages, you can typically expect the process to take two to four weeks from the kick-off meeting to the audit report. Complex enterprise applications are quoted on a case-by-case basis.

You will receive a comprehensive inspection report listing defects in order of priority and providing specific technical recommendations for action. We will actively support the remediation phase if requested. The ifdb certificate will only be issued once all identified defects have been rectified.

The certificate documents the compliance status at the time of the audit. As websites are constantly changing, we recommend Access Guard® for ongoing monitoring — and a repeat audit in the event of major changes to the system. Access Protect® requires an active Access Guard® subscription.

Yes. Access Ready® tests both web applications and native mobile apps on iOS and Android — including VoiceOver and TalkBack testing by real users.

An automated scan cannot test 60 to 70 percent of the WCAG criteria. Access Ready® covers them through its combined approach involving technology, experts and real assistive technology users — and documents for each criterion how it was tested and with what result.

The audit is based on WCAG 2.2 Level AA as the core standard — supplemented by the requirements of the BFSG, the European Accessibility Act and EN 301 549 as the European standard for ICT accessibility. For public bodies, BITV 2.0 is also taken into account.

Yes. The scope and extent of the audit can be defined flexibly — from a single page to the entire website. We recommend that we discuss together during the consultation to determine the scope required for your audit.

Access Score® is the free initial scan: automated, instant, and requires no registration. It shows you where your website stands today. Access Ready® is the in-depth audit: carried out manually, with real users, and certified. It documents where your website stands after remediation — verifiable and documented.

The ifdb certificate documents a structured, transparent assessment process oriented to the requirements of the BFSG. It can be presented in the event of an inquiry from the authorities or legal proceedings.

Access Protect® is available for the German BFSG only and can be booked once an Access Ready® audit has been successfully completed. The certificate forms the contractual basis for the assumption of liability. Anyone who cancels Access Guard® or fails to renew the certificate automatically loses this protection.

Yes. On request, we document the audit results as an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) based on the VPAT® template. This allows you to answer accessibility requirements in procurement processes in the US and the EU with a recognized format.

Know where you stand.
Provide evidence that you are remaining there.

An audit is not a bureaucratic formality. It is the most honest answer to the question of whether your digital services are truly accessible to everyone. Access Ready® provides you with that answer — comprehensively, verifiably and with the certificate that counts.

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Demonstrating WCAG compliance – what a complete accessibility audit must cover

Not every accessibility audit is the same — and the difference is not merely academic, but legal. The W3C’s WCAG-EM Conformance Evaluation Methodology sets out the steps that a complete demonstration of conformity must include: a representative selection of pages, manual testing by trained experts, and transparent documentation of the results. In addition, the European standard EN 301 549 sets out the specific ICT accessibility requirements for the areas covered by the Accessibility Strengthening Act and the European Accessibility Act.

Access Ready® consistently adheres to both frameworks — and, with its ‘human-in-the-loop’ approach, goes beyond the purely technical level of testing. Those wishing to take the next step after the audit will find that the contractual liability cover for the German BFSG – available only with an Access Ready® certificate and ongoing Access Guard® monitoring – applies as agreed in the contract in the event of a BFSG claim. And those who want to ensure that the certificate retains its value should opt for ongoing compliance monitoring — automated after every deployment.