Accessibility as a Lived Mission: The German Centre for Accessible Reading

The German Centre for Accessible Reading (dzb lesen) makes literature accessible to people who cannot read conventional printed texts or can only do so with difficulty. In addition to converting around 200 book titles into Braille each year, dzb lesen consistently applies accessibility principles in both internal and external communication. As a public institution, it is also required to provide all digital content in compliance with EU Directive 2016/2102 on the accessibility of public sector websites and mobile applications.

To meet this responsibility, dzb lesen creates its documents as accessible PDFs using axesWord — from internal communication and website publications to training and examination materials. axesWord is also used in the functional areas “Accessible Information and Communication Services in Saxony (BIKOSAX)” and the “Monitoring Body for Accessible Information Technology in Saxony.” In these areas alone, around 700 accessible documents are produced annually, implemented efficiently and in compliance with legal requirements using axesWord.

Today, dzb lesen is far more than an accessible library. With its expertise, it supports other organizations in establishing their own accessible processes. Through training sessions and consulting services, its staff share the knowledge required to independently create accessible documents using axesWord as a central tool. The focus is not only on meeting legal obligations, but increasingly on embracing social responsibility and actively promoting inclusion.