About BIK
The BIK brand stands for "Accessible Information and Communication". It is closely linked to the development of the BITV test by DIAS and represents over 20 years of expertise in digital accessibility and close connection to international standards development and research. The BIK BITV test is Germany's best-known methodology for comprehensive, reliable testing of the accessibility of websites and native apps.
From 2002 to 2018, three research projects were carried out under the BIK label, funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. This resulted in the predecessors of today's BIK BITV test (web).
Since 2018, the BIK BITV / WCAG test (web) has been further developed by DIAS GmbH and used by a group of currently 20 qualified BIK test centres. Further development is done publicly and in consultation with the BIK testers and other experts.
Under the BIK brand, DIAS has developed further test procedures, such as the BIK BITV / WCAG Test (App) and the BIK Usability Test.
BIK commitment to quality
The BIK BITV test is a comprehensive and reliable accessibility methodology for testing websites and native applications. Since 2005, the BIK BITV test (web) has been setting the standard for conformance to current web accessibility standards. Accordingly, the BIK test marks stand for quality and conformance to applicable standards and norms.
With the BIK BITV test, we offer a comprehensive methodology for both public and private sector providers who want to ensure that they meet standards and legal requirements.
Transparency
Unlike other procedures, the BIK test procedure is publicly available and all BIK BITV test steps are documented. For each test step, there are detailed explanations of what is being tested, why it is being tested and how it is being performed. This makes the test transparent to the customer.
Reliability and expertise
Thorough external quality assurance (QA) is an essential part of every BIK BITV test. The exchange of auditors and QA in regularly changing teams ensures a consistent and uniformly high level of audit and strengthens the competence of the auditors. Questions arise from the quality assurances, which are discussed within the test network in a mailing list and in video conferences as well as publicly on GitHub. This is also the basis for the continued refinement of the testing process.
The existing network of 20 test centres and the resulting close cooperation provides optimal opportunities for pooling expertise. Technical service providers (agencies and independent experts), self-help organisations, academic test centres (universities) and examiners with disabilities are represented.
This diversity of individual expertise allows for optimal exchange and ongoing evaluation of the process from different perspectives. Finally, we regularly seek feedback from discussions in the international Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AGWG).
Research projects
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BIK — Barrierefrei informieren und kommunizieren (2002 - 2005): The aim of the first BIK project was to support the practical implementation of the BITV, which came into force in 2002. The BITV test was developed together with the DBSV and DVBS associations for the blind and visually impaired and was used for the first time in 2005. The BITV test network was created to carry out the tests.
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BIK@work (2009-2012): BIK@work consisted of two project module: The module test development adapted the BITV test to BITV 2.0, which comes into force in 2011. The second module was to advise public and private employers on the accessibility of their internet and intranet services.
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BIK für Alle (2015 bis 2018): The aim of BIK für alle was to promote the benefits of an accessible web and, in particular, to inform institutions that are not obliged to comply with the BITV about the opportunities and implementation possibilities of accessible web design. In addition to the BITV test, a variant, the WCAG test, has been created.