Hello, my name is Dmitry Dugarev. I am the founder of Barrierenlos℠, and I help you and your team implement the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) and BITV 2.0 in a pragmatic and predictable way — without months of costly redevelopment.

Certificate

My specialization is no coincidence. It’s the result of an eight-year career and a deeply personal conviction.

My “Why”: More Than Just a Job​

Digital accessibility is not a trend for me — it’s a lived reality.

My wife is a state-certified interpreter for German Sign Language and an active member of the Professional Association of Sign Language Interpreters in Hesse. Through her and the Deaf community, I experience firsthand what real barriers mean.

Within our close circle of family and friends, we also experience what it’s like to live with cognitive and motor impairments due to illness, or with multiple visual disabilities.

These personal experiences drive me. They are the reason why I understand not only the technical regulations (the “what”) but also the human necessity behind them (the “why”).

Yet my fascination with genuine usability began much earlier:

The Foundation: “The Most Convenient Website”​

It all started in school. Back in 9th grade, I took part in a regional competition and won in the category “The Most Convenient Website.” What was called “convenience” back then is what we now refer to as usability and accessibility.

That early success laid the foundation for my belief that technology must serve people — not the other way around. (And yes, I still have that certificate of honor.)

Academic Deepening: Cognitive Accessibility​

During my Bachelor’s studies in Technical Safety & Risk Management (at the Moscow Aviation Institute), I specialized in civil protection through IT.

My bachelor’s thesis focused on optimizing emergency SMS notifications — the goal was for messages to be understood by all groups of the population, especially by people with cognitive impairments.

This is where I first learned the principles of plain language and clear information design.

The Bridge to Compliance: Security & Regulations​

My Master’s degree in Safety and Hazard Prevention (Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg) was a logical continuation.

With a focus on cybersecurity, business resilience, and IT compliance, I built a solid foundation for understanding frameworks such as BSI IT-Grundschutz.

This expertise opened doors for me to work in Big Four consulting firms and banks.

Relevant Professional Experience: From Developer to Compliance Expert​

My audits are not based on theory alone but on hands-on experience in corporations, consulting, and software development.

Founder & Accessibility Consultant — Barrierenlos℠ (Aug 2022 – Present)​

Today, I conduct technical accessibility audits for websites and documents, advise development teams, and implement accessibility measures directly in WordPress and web projects.

As the developer of the Semanticality™ plugin, I also build my own tools that automate accessibility in practice.

IT Compliance & Website Optimization — BDO (Feb 2023 – Jul 2024)​

Consulting in the field of cyber resilience according to BSI standards. Contributing to the strategic and technical optimization of websites.

Cyber Resilience & IT Compliance — Deloitte (Apr 2022 – Feb 2023)​

Member of the Cyber Resilience Team (Big Four). Focus: developing Business Continuity Management (BCM) according to BSI IT-Grundschutz, and designing and auditing IT compliance measures.

IT Compliance & Business Continuity — NORD/LB (May 2021 – Apr 2022)​

Contributed to the establishment of IT compliance for the Investment Bank of Saxony-Anhalt. Our task? To build a new bank completely from scratch. Even then, digital accessibility was already a key compliance topic under BITV 2.0.

Software Developer — Bosch Service Solutions (Jun 2019 – May 2021)​

Responsible for the full lifecycle of internal applications — from UI design to employee training at the invoice processing center.

The center often employed older staff for repetitive manual tasks, so usability and accessibility were central considerations during development.

Education & Qualifications​

• Master of Science: Safety and Hazard Prevention, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg

  

• Bachelor of Science: Technical Safety and Risk Management, Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)

  

• W3Cx Certificate: Introduction to Web Accessibility, W3C via edX

  

You can find more details about my qualifications on LinkedIn.

Our Network: Combined & Scalable Expertise​

Barrierenlos℠ is more than one person. To provide you with the full range — from in-depth audits and accessible design to scalable development — I act as your central contact person, collaborating with a trusted network of proven specialists.

This model gives you the flexibility and direct contact of an owner-operated consultancy, combined with the scalability and expertise of a larger agency.

My core network includes:

• Audit Support: Three dedicated partners assisting in large-scale audits and specialized assessments (e.g., document accessibility).
• Brand Strategist: An experienced branding expert supporting accessible brand strategy development.
• Partner Designers: Two dedicated designers who create accessible UI/UX concepts, logos, and corporate designs as needed.
• Development Partners: A reliable team of partner developers enabling me to realize large-scale implementation and redevelopment projects.
• Sign Language Interpreter: An experienced interpreter for German Sign Language assisting in projects involving Deaf users.
• Expert Colleagues: A pool of additional specialists I collaborate with for highly specific needs (e.g., accessible video production).

You receive all services from a single source — coordinated and quality-assured by me.

What I Can Do for You​

Now that you know my background, I invite you to explore how I can apply this expertise for you:

• BFSG Checklist: A practical checklist for BFSG compliance.
• BFSG Audit Offer: Technical audits and consulting to ensure compliance with the Accessibility Strengthening Act.
• BFSG Workshop: Interactive training sessions on implementing digital accessibility within your team.
• Articles & Tutorials: Practical guides for implementing digital accessibility.

Also explore my tools and open-source projects:

• Semanticality™ Plugin: Accelerate accessibility in WordPress with my self-developed tool.
• Docusaurus Prerender Mermaid Plugin: My open-source plugin for accessible integration of Mermaid diagrams in Docusaurus projects.

Note on Trademarks and Logos​

All company names, logos, and brands mentioned on this page (including Otto von Guericke University, Moscow Aviation Institute, Deloitte, BDO, NORD/LB, IB-LSA, Bosch, Standard Chartered, Futuremakers, and W3C/edX) are the property of their respective owners. They are mentioned and depicted solely for editorial purposes to describe my professional experience and education. Their mention does not imply any current partnership, endorsement, or sponsorship of my services by these organizations.