Information in Plain Language
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
The Oberbergischer Kreis
Welcome to the Oberbergischer Kreis
The Oberbergischer Kreis is
in the south of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Oberbergischer Kreis includes
-
13 towns and municipalities and
-
1,441 villages and small places.
Approximately 274,000 people live here.
Life and Work
In the Oberbergischer Kreis, you can live well.
We have a beautiful landscape
with hills, forests, and meadows.
There are many leisure activities available.
You can do sports and relax here.
And there are many good educational opportunities.
For example: day care centers, schools, and a university.
In the Oberbergischer Kreis, there are
many good jobs in various professions.
There are many businesses and companies as employers.
Our Tasks
The Oberbergischer Kreis does a lot
for the people in the region.
It takes care of things like:
-
Health and care
-
Nature conservation
-
Roads and bridges
-
Families and education
-
Social benefits
-
Construction
-
Disaster protection
For example, assistance during floods or fires.
Our Website
On our website, you can find
information about our tasks and services.
Many services can also be used online.
For example: Submitting applications.
Do you have a question and don’t know
who to contact?
We are happy to assist you.
On our website, you will find
the right contact persons for your questions.
You will find the phone numbers and
email addresses of our staff.
The website also contains
all important information about our administration.
For example, about the departments and offices and
about our district administrator.
The district administrator is the head of the administration.
Text in Easy Language: © Office for Easy Language, Lebenshilfe für Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung Bremen e.V., 2026.
Images: © Lebenshilfe für Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung Bremen e.V., Illustrator Stefan Albers
How to use our website
Welcome to the website of Oberbergischer Kreis.
Here, we briefly explain in Simple Language,
how you can use the website on a computer.
Things might be different on a mobile phone or tablet.
If so, we will mention it.
We explain 4 sections of the site:
-
Always at the very top of the site
-
Homepage
-
Topics in the menu
-
Always at the very bottom of the site
Attention:
This explanation is in Simple Language.
However, many sections on our website are not
in Simple Language.
The website always looks the same at the top.
It doesn't matter which section you are in.
At the very top, there is always the white header.
On the left in the header is our logo.
Do you want to go back to the homepage?
Then click on the logo.
In the middle of the header is the menu.
Here are 5 important topics from our website:
·Current News
·Service
·Topics
·The District
·Careers
If you hover over a topic with your mouse,
a new menu with more information will open.
We explain the sections further down in the text at Menu Topics
On the right in the header, there are various icons.
Here you can adjust the website to your needs.
Do you need larger text?
Then click on the two A's.
Do you want a stronger contrast between the text and background?
Then click on the blue-white circle to adjust the contrast.
Next to it, there's a search.
Click on the magnifying glass and enter a word.
Then press the Enter key.
You will then see all the texts on the website
that contain the word.
Do you need information in sign language?
Then click on the blue hands.
Do you need information in simple language?
Then click on the reading figure.
Click on the circle with the lines.
Then you can set
in which language you want to read the page:
German, English, French, Arabic, Turkish, or Russian.
On a smartphone:
Here the header is black.
Click on the 3 lines at the top right of the page.
Then the menu will open.
Here you can also adjust the page to your needs.
At the top of the homepage, there's a blue box.
Here you can search for a word or topic
on the website.
It also lists topics that other people search for very often.
Click on a topic.
You will then see all pages related to this topic.
Behind the blue box are videos from the Oberberg District.
For example, you can see the administrative building.
Below it, there is sometimes a blue box with important news.
For example: construction sites.
Further down on the homepage, you can find this information:
-
Latest Press Releases
-
News from the District
-
Upcoming Events
-
Topics
-
The District
-
Our Projects
-
Latest Instagram Posts from the Oberberg District
Most information can also be found in the menu.
Always on the far right side of the page
On the far right side of the website, there is always an orange semicircle
with a calendar.
No matter where you are on the page,
the semicircle is always there.
Move your mouse over the semicircle.
Then an orange field will open.
Click on the field.
You can then book an appointment at the office.
On a mobile device:
Here, the semicircle is red.
Topics in the menu
The topics in the menu are:
·Current News
·Service
·Topics
·The District
·Careers
We will now explain the topics:
Current News
Click on the word Current News.
Then a box with a new menu will open.
We explain the most important sections:
In the Press Releases section, there is information for reporters.
In the Public Announcements section, there is
important information for citizens.
In the Events section, you can find, for example, dates for consultations or workshops.
Do you want to know when the council meetings take place?
Then click on the Council Information Systems section.
The Oberberg District has pages on Facebook, Instagram
and YouTube.
More information can be found in the Social Media section.
Service
Click on the word Service.
Then a box will open with a new menu.
In the area of Online Services, you can submit applications to the office
via the internet.
In the area of Service Portal, you can find contacts
for various topics.
Often, people search for the same information and topics
on the website.
This information can be found in the area Frequently Searched.
In the area of Service Hours, you can find the opening hours of the offices.
Topics
Click on the word Topics.
Then a box will open with a new menu.
Here you will find many different topics.
For example: health, family, or leisure.
Click on a topic to get more information.
The District
Click on the words The District.
Then a box with a new menu will open.
Here you can find, for example, this information:
-
What does the district administration do?
-
Who elects the district council?
-
Which cities and towns belong to the Oberberg District?
Careers
Click on the words Careers.
Then a new page will open.
Here you will find lots of information about jobs and training opportunities
in the Oberberg District.
Always at the very bottom of the website, there is a blue box.
On the left side of the blue box is the logo of Oberbergischer Kreis.
Below that are the address, the numbers for phone and fax, and
the email address.
Below are the icons for Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Click on an icon.
Then you will be directed to the pages of Oberbergischer Kreis.
Next to it, there are some topics from the menu again.
On the mobile phone:
Here, all the topics are listed one below the other.
And there is more information:
In the Directions section, you can find out how to get to the administrative building
of Oberbergischer Kreis.
In the County Council Info section, you can find information such as
who elects the county council and what the county council decides.
In the Bank Details section, you can find out
how to make payments to the county administration.
For example, for a new ID card or driver's license.
In the Webmaster section, you can find out
who manages our website.
In the Electronic Communication section, you can find out
how to send secure emails to us.
This way, your data is protected.
Here you can find notes on links, that lead to other websites.
In the GDPR Info Sheets section, you can
download information about data protection.
Here, it explains how various departments handle your data.
In the RAL Quality Mark section, it is mentioned
that we regularly check our website.
Below, there is more information about the website:
Imprint
Who created this site?
Who is responsible for the site?
Privacy Policy
What data does the website collect from you?
How do we protect your data?
Cookies
Cookies are small files.
They are necessary to use our website effectively.
They also store information about you.
For example, which language you set on the website.
Here, you can set which cookies you want to allow.
Accessibility
How accessible is our website?
What barriers still exist
and whom can you contact because of them?
Simple Language
Here, you can find information in Simple Language.
Sign Language.
Here, you can find information in Sign Language.
Text in Simple Language: © Office for Simple Language, Lebenshilfe für Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung Bremen e.V., 2026.
Explanation of accessibility
We explain here in Easy Language:
-
What the obligation for accessibility means.
-
What is not yet accessible.
-
Why not everything is accessible.
-
Which aids are available.
This explanation is from September 15, 2026.
The translation into Easy Language
is from September 15, 2026.
The explanation applies to www.obk.de
Obligation for Accessibility
Our internet offering must be accessible.
So that all people can use it.
The laws on accessibility are written in:
Disability Equality Act
North Rhine-Westphalia
Short: BGG NRW
The rules for the internet are written in:
Accessible Information Technology Ordinance
North Rhine-Westphalia
Short: BITV NRW.
The law states:
We must check accessibility.
We have self-checked,
whether we comply with the rules.
What is not accessible?
The website www.obk.de
is only partially accessible.
Accessible means:
Without obstacles for people with disabilities.
We have not completely achieved this yet.
We do not yet meet all the rules.
Here we explain,
where there are still obstacles:
-
Interactive maps and city plans
The maps are not accessible.
Contact us
if you need help. -
PDF or other files
Not all PDFs are accessible.
Many PDF information
can also be found on our website.
Why is it not accessible?
There are many PDFs on the site.
We want to renew all PDFs.
But it takes time.
Help us with this.
Report PDFs with obstacles to us.
Help and Contact
You can send us a message
For example:
-
If you have questions
about our website. -
Or need help.
-
Or are not satisfied.
Email: Barrierefreiheit@obk.de
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia also helps you.
You can also get information there.
For example:
If you do not receive an answer from us.
Or if our answer does not help you.
