Accessibility Statement

Scope of this statement
This accessibility statement applies to this website, any associated partner sites and any language versions, including all content and functions offered via mobile devices, insofar as these fall within the scope of the BaFG (Section 2(2)(6) – “services in electronic commerce”).

Status of compliance with requirements
This website is partially compliant with Conformity Level AA of the ‘Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – WCAG 2.1’, or with the applicable European Standard ‘EN 301 549 V 3.2.1 (2021-03)”.

Content that is not accessible
The following content and functions are currently not accessible, or are only accessible to a limited extent, and are exempt from the accessibility requirements (as explained below):

1. Statutory content exemptions (Section 2(3) of the Accessibility Act (BaFG))
The following content is exempt:

• “Some PDF documents provided on this website that were published before 28 June 2025 do not comply with current accessibility standards.”
• “Recorded video content produced before 28 June 2025 is available without subtitles or audio description.”
• “Interactive maps showing locations are not fully accessible; essential information (address, directions) is also provided in text form.”
• “Content integrated from external partners (e.g. social media plugins, embedded third-party videos) falls outside our area of responsibility and therefore cannot be fully accessible.”

2. Fundamental alteration (Section 17 of the BaFG)

• “Certain design elements of our website are an integral part of our corporate identity. Full compliance with accessibility requirements would entail a fundamental change to this design.”
• “The display of interactive graphics is based on proprietary tools which, for technical reasons, cannot be adapted without significant loss of functionality. An accessible alternative in the form of a text description is provided.”
• Artistic and creative content: “Certain artistic graphics, illustrations or layouts form part of the overall creative concept. Any alteration to meet accessibility requirements would significantly alter the artistic character and the intended form of expression.”
• Brand identity: “Some design elements, such as colour gradients, contrast elements or animations, are central components of the visual brand identity. An accessible adaptation would represent a fundamental change to this brand perception.”
• Special interactive features: “Complex interactive elements (e.g. 3D product visualisations or simulations) are a core component of the service. Full adaptation for screen readers would significantly alter how they function and limit the user experience.”
• Dynamic content: “The real-time display of certain live data (e.g. interactive stock market prices or map movements) could not be implemented in an accessible manner without altering the core functionality of the application.”
• Multimedia presentations: “Some multimedia presentations deliberately rely on the synchronisation of image and sound as a design element. Making them accessible (e.g. by separating the elements) would significantly alter the overall experience.”
• Niche functions: “Individual specialised functions are aimed exclusively at a specific user group and would be restricted in their original functionality by adjustments to ensure accessibility.”

3. Disproportionate burden (Section 18 of the BaFG)

• “A complete overhaul of all historical PDF archives would entail a disproportionate financial and organisational burden. Key content will therefore be made accessible on request where necessary.”
• “Making the booking software used accessible is not possible due to the technical constraints of the external provider. However, users can receive support via alternative contact channels (telephone, email).”
• Data volumes: “Making our entire image and video archive fully accessible would entail a disproportionate expenditure of staff time and financial resources. However, key information is also provided in text form.”
• Third-party systems: “Our website integrates external tools (e.g. payment or chat modules) provided by third-party providers. As we have no control over their adaptation, these functions cannot currently be offered in a fully accessible format.”
• Short-lived content: “Certain content published at short notice (e.g. event announcements or seasonal campaigns) cannot always be made available in an accessible format due to the tight timeframe.”
• Technical limitations: “The interactive display of complex tables and statistics via third-party systems cannot be implemented in an accessible manner. The key content is therefore also published in an accessible PDF file.”
• Legacy systems / software: “Some older website features are based on system components that will be replaced by a new system in the foreseeable future. Adapting these outdated modules would be technically complex and economically disproportionate.”
• Resource constraints: “ Due to the size of the organisation and limited financial and human resources, it is not currently possible to make every function fully accessible. However, we are striving to make continuous improvements within the limits of the resources available.”

4. Micro-enterprises (Section 6 BaFG)
"As a micro-enterprise with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2 million, we are exempt under Section 6 of the BaFG from the obligation to fully implement accessibility requirements for our online services. Nevertheless, we endeavour to make our content as accessible as possible."

Enforcement procedures
If you do not receive a satisfactory response to your feedback or enquiry regarding the website’s accessibility within a reasonable period of time, you may contact the complaints office of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). The Complaints Office accepts complaints electronically via the contact form at the following link:
https://www.digitalbarrierefrei.at/de/beschwerdestelle/kontaktformular-beschwerdestelle

Complaints are reviewed by the FFG and, where the concern is justified, recommendations are made to remove the existing barriers.