Accessibility and redesign of application forms for economic development
The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) is a federal authority within the remit of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). In addition to its responsibilities in the areas of export control and foreign trade, it places particular emphasis on promoting economic development. The BAFA administers various support programs, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with the aim of strengthening their competitiveness. Funding is usually provided in the form of financial grants, which are awarded upon application. Applications are submitted online via a specially developed application system, which users can use to fill out and submit forms. This is based on the Act on Improving Online Access to Administrative Services – Online Access Act (OZG).
bol Systemhaus GmbH supports customers such as BAFA with a universal form management system. This allows forms to be filled out, saved, and sent online. Accso and bol are long-standing partners working together for BAFA.
Digital participation through accessible funding procedures
The aim of the project was to make the BAFA application system accessible and modernize it in order to give everyone equal access to government subsidies. The focus was on user-centered and accessible design, user-friendliness, and a modern appearance. The application was optimized in the backend in terms of reusability and easier maintenance.
Comprehensive expertise from bol and Accso
In close partnership with bol Systemhaus, Accso developed a comprehensive solution for the barrier-free design of the BAFA system. While bol contributed its proven expertise in form management, Accso took on the technical leadership for the redesign of both the backend and frontend. Together, the two companies laid the foundations for a customizable and expandable system that meets the requirements of the BAFA and the Online Access Act (OZG).
Accso took the lead in coordinating communication with the BAFA and defined the requirements for the UI/UX design and accessibility. In their joint project work, the teams from bol and Accso established best practices and standards in the development process. Accessibility was ensured through a multi-stage testing process involving automated, semi-automated, and manual tests, which both teams developed and implemented together. The result of this successful collaboration is an application that builds on bol's proven systems and is accessible to everyone.
"The strength of this collaboration lay in the fact that both we and Accso were able to fully contribute our core competencies. Our expertise in form management and Accso's know-how in the area of accessibility have come together to create a solution that both companies are proud of.
Our project has shown that innovation arises when the knowledge and skills of different teams come together. As a result, we now have a system that not only works, but also fulfills its social responsibility.
This synergy has enriched both Accso and us! Thank you very much."Dirk WertherForm Development Manager, Project Manager bol Systemhaus GmbH
Put your trust in Accso as your partner for accessible digitalization and work with us to create applications that promote social participation.
