---
title: "BGG Germany: Disability Rights & Public Accessibility Explained"
url: "https://nitsantech.de/en/accessibility-glossary/disability-equality-act-bgg"
description: The Disability Equality Act (BGG) ensures people with disabilities in Germany have equal rights and access to public institutions and services.
date: 2025-08-01
modified: 2025-09-09
lastUpdated: 2026-02-25
---

# BGG Germany: Disability Rights & Public Accessibility Explained

[ Accessibility Glossary ](https://nitsantech.de/en/accessibility-glossary)Disability Equality Act (BGG)
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 [

  Disability  ](https://nitsantech.de/en/accessibility-glossary/disability) [

  Disability-friendly  ](https://nitsantech.de/en/accessibility-glossary/disability-friendly)

  <a id="c20515"></a>The **Disability Equality Act (BGG)** is a German federal law that promotes equality for people with disabilities and protects them from discrimination by public authorities.

Enacted in 2002 and updated in 2016, the BGG applies to all federal public bodies, including administrative institutions and federal services.

Key aims of the BGG include:

- Ensuring **equal participation** in society
- Eliminating **discrimination** in public life
- Requiring **barrier-free access** to buildings, information, and digital services
- Supporting **communication aids** such as sign language and easy language

It provides a legal foundation for additional regulations, like:

- **BITV 2.0** – for accessible digital content
- [**Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG)**](https://nitsantech.de/en/accessibility-glossary/barrierefreiheit-staerkungsgesetz) – for accessible products and services

The BGG emphasizes **self-determination** and **equal opportunity** and is a crucial part of Germany’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).