Adaptation of the Website and Arbitration Case Management System regarding barrier-free accessibility

ongoing

The Real Asset Investment Arbitration Board of closed end funds was founded in 2008 to give private investors the opportunity for easy dispute resolution, thus implementing consumer protection principles and ensuring relief of courts. Since 2017, it has been officially recognized as an alternative dispute resolution body by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection. The action aims to facilitate the access to the current company website and the arbitration case management system by making them barrier-free according to Art. 5 Abs. 2 lit. b (alt) of the Amendment of Directive 2013/11/EU on alternative dispute resolution. The Case Management System bundles all communication of each single case and creates electronic files for case management. The case management system used by the applicant needs continuous improvement, based on the experience of its users and in order to meet compliance and regulatory needs. We intend to develop the software continuously to increase the access for consumers by removing technical barriers. In a next step, the case data system is now also to be made barrier-free to provide vulnerable groups in particular access to alternative dispute resolution. As part of this, our website shall be modernised as well, which not only offers detailed information on ADR, but is also the starting point for submitting a complaint. The improvements include the integration of tools to support the use of dark mode/contrast mode, removal of adaptability of text sizes, integration of structures and markers in the code for using the page with read-aloud browsers, integration of an explanatory text about the ombudsman's office in plain language and other features that reduce the barriers for vulnerable groups. These measures are intended to increase access to ADR for all costumers equally.