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Encore
Understanding, Evaluating, Implementing Accessibility
Knowledge development and analysis as a basis for BFSG-compliant products at encore
Sector
Renewable Energy and Sustainability
Principle
Period
6 months
Starting position
encore develops white label solutions for power booking and billing portals. These applications are aimed at end customers and are therefore subject to the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which takes effect from mid-2025.
For encore, it was clear that accessibility is not just a regulatory task, but also directly influences usability, product quality and market position. At the same time, there was a lack of a well-founded assessment of the current situation and a common understanding within the team of how accessibility can be specifically incorporated into design and development.
Starting position
encore develops white label solutions for power booking and billing portals. These applications are aimed at end customers and are therefore subject to the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which takes effect from mid-2025.
For encore, it was clear that accessibility is not just a regulatory task, but also directly influences usability, product quality and market position. At the same time, there was a lack of a well-founded assessment of the current situation and a common understanding within the team of how accessibility can be specifically incorporated into design and development.
Starting position
encore develops white label solutions for power booking and billing portals. These applications are aimed at end customers and are therefore subject to the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which takes effect from mid-2025.
For encore, it was clear that accessibility is not just a regulatory task, but also directly influences usability, product quality and market position. At the same time, there was a lack of a well-founded assessment of the current situation and a common understanding within the team of how accessibility can be specifically incorporated into design and development.
Approach
UseTree supported encore with a combined approach of knowledge building and analysis.
A central component was accessibility training, which provided the basics, legal framework and practical effects of digital barriers. Topics included:
- What digital accessibility means and why it is relevant
- legal requirements such as BFSG, EN 301 549 and WCAG
- different types of restrictions, permanent, temporary or situational
- typical myths about effort, costs and creativity
- Accessibility as a product advantage and quality feature
A particular focus was on understanding accessibility as an integral part of the UX and development process, not as a downstream checkpoint.
At the same time, UseTree carried out an expert review of the existing applications. Compliance with EN 301 549 was tested on the basis of prioritized criteria. The aim was to make concrete barriers visible and to derive recommendations for action.
Approach
UseTree supported encore with a combined approach of knowledge building and analysis.
A central component was accessibility training, which provided the basics, legal framework and practical effects of digital barriers. Topics included:
- What digital accessibility means and why it is relevant
- legal requirements such as BFSG, EN 301 549 and WCAG
- different types of restrictions, permanent, temporary or situational
- typical myths about effort, costs and creativity
- Accessibility as a product advantage and quality feature
A particular focus was on understanding accessibility as an integral part of the UX and development process, not as a downstream checkpoint.
At the same time, UseTree carried out an expert review of the existing applications. Compliance with EN 301 549 was tested on the basis of prioritized criteria. The aim was to make concrete barriers visible and to derive recommendations for action.
Approach
UseTree supported encore with a combined approach of knowledge building and analysis.
A central component was accessibility training, which provided the basics, legal framework and practical effects of digital barriers. Topics included:
- What digital accessibility means and why it is relevant
- legal requirements such as BFSG, EN 301 549 and WCAG
- different types of restrictions, permanent, temporary or situational
- typical myths about effort, costs and creativity
- Accessibility as a product advantage and quality feature
A particular focus was on understanding accessibility as an integral part of the UX and development process, not as a downstream checkpoint.
At the same time, UseTree carried out an expert review of the existing applications. Compliance with EN 301 549 was tested on the basis of prioritized criteria. The aim was to make concrete barriers visible and to derive recommendations for action.
Solution
The results of training and expert review were brought together. encore received a clear, prioritized overview of relevant barriers as well as concrete recommendations on how to fix them.
The review was efficiently carried out in tandem. Criteria were divided, results were coordinated together and comprehensibly documented. The training also enabled the team to independently think about accessibility in the future — in concept, design, content and development.
In a second test phase, progress was reviewed and further optimization potential was identified.
Solution
The results of training and expert review were brought together. encore received a clear, prioritized overview of relevant barriers as well as concrete recommendations on how to fix them.
The review was efficiently carried out in tandem. Criteria were divided, results were coordinated together and comprehensibly documented. The training also enabled the team to independently think about accessibility in the future — in concept, design, content and development.
In a second test phase, progress was reviewed and further optimization potential was identified.
Solution
The results of training and expert review were brought together. encore received a clear, prioritized overview of relevant barriers as well as concrete recommendations on how to fix them.
The review was efficiently carried out in tandem. Criteria were divided, results were coordinated together and comprehensibly documented. The training also enabled the team to independently think about accessibility in the future — in concept, design, content and development.
In a second test phase, progress was reviewed and further optimization potential was identified.
Impact
encore now has a common understanding of accessibility and a robust basis for implementing legal requirements. Accessibility is no longer an isolated issue, but part of product quality.
The training strengthened internal competence and decision-making capacity. The Expert Review created transparency and priority. Together, they enable sustainable, systematic development of barrier-free white label solutions.
Impact
encore now has a common understanding of accessibility and a robust basis for implementing legal requirements. Accessibility is no longer an isolated issue, but part of product quality.
The training strengthened internal competence and decision-making capacity. The Expert Review created transparency and priority. Together, they enable sustainable, systematic development of barrier-free white label solutions.
Impact
encore now has a common understanding of accessibility and a robust basis for implementing legal requirements. Accessibility is no longer an isolated issue, but part of product quality.
The training strengthened internal competence and decision-making capacity. The Expert Review created transparency and priority. Together, they enable sustainable, systematic development of barrier-free white label solutions.
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“UseTree has helped us to see digital accessibility not only as a challenge but as a real opportunity and to strategically integrate it into our products. With their extensive expertise in accessibility and their user-centered approach, the team provided us with impressive support throughout the process. The collaboration was a real asset for us and gave us valuable impetus to make our products more inclusive and accessible to all customers.”
Dirk Fleischer, managing director, encore
“UseTree has helped us to see digital accessibility not only as a challenge but as a real opportunity and to strategically integrate it into our products. With their extensive expertise in accessibility and their user-centered approach, the team provided us with impressive support throughout the process. The collaboration was a real asset for us and gave us valuable impetus to make our products more inclusive and accessible to all customers.”
Dirk Fleischer, managing director, encore
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