Kaiserslautern: Digital progress papers - paper remains mandatory!

Kaiserslautern: Digital progress papers - paper remains mandatory!

In Kaiserslautern, the efforts to comprehensive digital administration are in full swing, but progress is often slower than desired. Currently, six administrative services are fully digitized, which enables citizens to apply for a conveniently from home, for example. This can then be processed in the town hall without media breaks. Despite these achievements, online administration remains a challenge. It shows that the digital transformation in the city only slowly progresses, although a separate presentation for digitization and innovation has been set up since April 2024 to accelerate the process. According to rheinpfalz.de is still frequently required.

Another important element of the digital transformation in Kaiserslautern is the "warm digital" initiative, which aims to improve the quality of life of the residents. This platform tests new digital technologies in various areas. An example of this is the use of sensors to record traffic data in order to enable optimal traffic and urban planning. Digital participation formats also gain in importance because they offer citizens more opportunities for participation in urban decision -making processes. A special digital routing service for persons restricted mobility should also promote social participation, as warm-digital.de

accessibility as a central aspect

The digital transformation in administration also brings the need to ensure accessibility. According to the EU Directive 2016/2102, public bodies in Germany are obliged to make their website and mobile applications barrier-free. The goal is to enable people with impairments and different needs to unreserved access to digital offers. The important target groups include people with visual impairments, hearing impairments, movement restrictions and cognitive impairments. From a report by Smartcountry.berlin it can be seen that different aids and functions are necessary for accessibility, including screen readers, diverse input and understandable language.

accessibility is not only important for permanently impaired people, but also for those with temporary restrictions, for example through illness or in the event of situational restrictions on how to act when driving. In Kaiserslautern it is therefore important to integrate these aspects into the digital strategy in order to ensure an inclusive digital administration for all citizens.