Digital milestone for accessibility

The city of Jena is taking the next step towards a modern, digital administration: with immediate effect, citizens can submit central applications for severely disabled persons' rights and benefits in accordance with the Thuringian Sensory Disability Benefits Act (ThürSinnbGG) completely online. Implemented as part of the Online Access Act (OZG), the new service makes everyday life noticeably easier and provides greater accessibility in contact with the administration.

Until now, obtaining a disabled person's pass or financial assistance often involved paper forms and a trip to the postbox. The new digital solution now bundles the city administration's most important services on a central platform - easy to understand, secure and accessible at all times.

What is now possible digitally?

In future, the following can be submitted online

• the determination of the degree of disability (GdB) as well as the application for further characteristics,
• the issuing of a severely disabled person's pass (initial and amendment applications),
• the issue of the supplementary sheet - for example for free public transport or a reduction in vehicle tax,
• Benefits under the Thuringian Sensory Disability Benefits Act, which compensate for financial disadvantages for people with visual or hearing impairments.

Necessary evidence, medical documents or passport photos can be uploaded directly and securely as attachments during the process. A digital assistant guides you through the form step by step; plausibility checks in the background prevent incomplete applications from being sent. This saves applicants time and speeds up processing at the office.

Head of Department Kathleen Lützkendorf emphasizes: "An inclusive city also needs an inclusive administration. Anyone who needs support should be able to apply for it as easily and independently as possible. The new online procedures are therefore an important step towards greater participation and equal access to public services in Jena."

Data protection and accessibility

All data is transmitted in accordance with the highest data protection security standards. Anyone who does not want to or cannot use the digital route can of course still submit a traditional paper application.

For identification purposes, the application can be fully digitally signed via a BundID account and the online ID function (eID) of the ID card. The application can also be submitted online without a BundID or activated eID - the required signature is then submitted in the final step via document upload or the signed form is sent in separately by post.

Availability

The new online procedure is now available on the website of the City of Jena. The links can be found in the right-hand column.