Accessibility Statement (ifo.de/en)
The ifo Institute is committed to making its website accessible in compliance with legal requirements.
We adhere to the legal provisions of the German Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (BGG) and the Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) as well as, since June 28, 2025, the Accessibility Strengthening Act (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz – BFSG).
This accessibility statement applies to the main website of the ifo Institute (www.ifo.de) in both its German and English versions.
Status of Compliance
This website is partially compliant with the German Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (BGG) and the Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0).
Non-accessible content was identified through a simplified review based on Directive (EU) 2016/2102.
Non-accessible Content
The following areas were found to have unmet accessibility requirements:
Usability, Structure, Contrast
• Foreign-language words and sections are not consistently marked.
• Some tables and lists are not properly structured, making them harder to perceive.
• Certain content becomes difficult or impossible to distinguish when contrast settings are adjusted.
• Some visually hidden content is still read aloud by screen readers during linear navigation.
• In some cases, color is used as the sole means of conveying information.
• The contrast levels of some text, controls (buttons), and graphic elements are insufficient.
• Some images and graphic controls lack meaningful alternative text.
• Certain interactive elements are not fully operable via keyboard navigation.
• On some pages, screen reader navigation is not optimal.
• The site’s HTML contains syntax errors that impact accessibility.
Measures: As part of the website relaunch on April 28, 2025, the design, content, and technical framework were comprehensively updated.
PDF Documents
Most PDF documents available on the website are not fully accessible, particularly older publications.
Measures: New publications are generally created in accordance with accessibility standards wherever possible. The journal ifo Schnelldienst (both complete issues and individual articles) has been available in an accessible format on the website since 2023.
For the book series ifo Beiträge zur Wirtschaftsforschung, ifo Forschungsberichte, and project-based studies and reports published since 2024, accessibility is being continuously improved. However, the degree of accessibility may vary depending on the source files and the formats used during the preparation process. In some cases, technical constraints, such as files created with LaTeX or similar programs, can limit the extent to which accessibility criteria can be fully implemented.
During the transition following the relaunch, accessible documents will be labeled accordingly.
Exception: Files provided by third parties or content also available in an HTML alternative are exempt.
Note: For documents published after June 28, 2025, that are intended for the general public or consumers, the requirements of the BFSG additionally apply. Older publications – as under BITV 2.0 – are not subject to mandatory retrofitting.
Videos and Audio Content
Some videos lack subtitles or transcripts.
Measures: The series We Explain Economics and recent interviews related to our survey results and events are subtitled.
Exceptions: Providing manual subtitles for recordings of our events would pose a disproportionate burden and require significant resources.
Note: For audiovisual content aimed at the general public and published after June 28, 2025, we also take into account the requirements of the BFSG. Existing content is not affected.
Disproportionate Burden
The following content is not made accessible due to the disproportionate effort required:
Existing Publications and Other PDFs:
Existing PDFs of any kind will not be retrofitted for accessibility.
Existing Videos:
Existing videos will not be retrofitted with subtitles.
Further Measures for Improvement
As part of the website relaunch on April 28, 2025, the design, content, and technology were completely revised. Ensuring barrier-free access to information remains a high priority and has been a continual focus throughout the project.
During the website revision, efforts were made to address the previously unmet requirements and correct existing issues. This will be reviewed in a follow-up audit conducted by our agency.
Creation of this Accessibility Statement
This statement was created following the website relaunch on April 28, 2025, and is reviewed and updated regularly.
Feedback and Contact
Have you encountered any barriers when accessing content on www.ifo.de/en? Do you have any questions about accessibility?
Please feel free to contact us by mail, phone, or email:
ifo Institute – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research
at the University of Munich
Poschingerstr. 5
81679 Munich, Germany
Phone: +49(89)9224-0
Fax: +49(89)985369
Email: ifo@ifo.de