Germany - 2002

Act on Equal Opportunities for Disabled Persons of 2002 (Germany)

This law, also known as the Behinderten gleichstellungs-gesetz (BGG), was created to ensure that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in Germany. It aims to remove barriers and promote inclusion in areas like employment, education, and access to public services.

 Key Provisions of the Law:

1. Accessibility Requirements: Public buildings, transportation, and websites must be made accessible to people with disabilities. This includes features like ramps, elevators, and screen-reader-friendly websites.

2. Equal Treatment: Discrimination based on disability is prohibited. People with disabilities must have equal access to jobs, education, and services.

3. Communication Support: Government offices must provide information in accessible formats, such as Braille or sign language interpreters, when needed.

4. Right to File Complaints: If someone faces discrimination, they can take legal action to enforce their rights under this law.

Important Dates:

- The law was enacted on April 27, 2002.  

- Since then, updates have been made to strengthen accessibility rules, especially for digital services.

This explanation is based on the official document. For more details, you can read the full law here: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgg/BJNR146800002.html