Accessibility Website
In today's digital world, website accessibility is not only an ethical concern, but also a legal and economic necessity. Many people rely on accessible digital content, whether due to disabilities or temporary difficulties. It is important to consider the importance of accessible websites, the legal basis for them and the technical and design requirements. Specially designed tools and tests that can be used to check and optimize the accessibility of websites also play a central role in this regard.
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What is an accessible website?
Accessibility means that the content and functions of a website are equally accessible to all users - whether through the use of aids such as screen readers or through intuitive navigation and a clear structure.
Legal basis for accessibility on the web
The legal requirements for accessibility vary from country to country, but are often based on international standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). In the European Union, The Directive on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications (EU Directive 2016/2102) regulates the requirements for public sector bodies. In Germany, this directive was implemented by the Disability Equality Act (BGG) and the Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0). From 2025, the Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG) also comes into force in Germany, which will extend the accessibility requirements for private companies, particularly in the areas of digital services and products. Companies that do not belong to public bodies will benefit from offering accessible websites and applications, as they will not only be able to expand their target groups, but also comply with the new legal requirements and minimize legal risks.
Important aspects of accessible web design
An accessible web design takes the following key aspects into account:
- Clear structure: Websites should be structured logically and consistently to enable easy navigation.
- Texts and content: Easy-to-understand language, alternative descriptions for images and media and a sufficiently high contrast between text and background are essential.
- Usability: All functions should be usable with the keyboard as well as with other input devices such as voice control or joysticks.
- Feedback: Error messages and confirmations should be communicated clearly and comprehensibly.
- Media: Video and audio content should be supplemented with subtitles, transcripts or sign language translations.
Technical requirements for accessible websites
The technical implementation of website accessibility is based on the WCAG guidelines, which are divided into four principles:
- Perceptibility: Content must be accessible to all senses. This includes, for example, text alternatives for images and scalable fonts.
- Usability: Navigation and interactions must also be possible without a mouse. This also includes avoiding time-critical interactions.
- Comprehensibility: Content and functions should be clear and predictable. Complicated forms or ambiguous instructions make the website difficult to use.
- Robustness: Websites should be compatible with different technologies and tools, including screen readers or browsers in different versions.
How accessibility improves the user experience
Accessible websites not only benefit people with disabilities, but also improve the user experience for everyone. A clear structure and intuitive user interfaces make it easier to navigate and find information. Accessibility enables access to a wider audience, including older people and people with temporary disabilities, increasing reach. In addition, accessible content often offers SEO benefits as it uses structured data and clear descriptions, making it more search engine friendly. Finally, websites that are designed for accessibility are often more durable and easier to adapt to new technologies, making them more future-proof.
Tools and tests for checking accessibility
There are numerous tools for testing and improving the accessibility of websites:
Helps to check the website against international standards.
Offers quick, dynamic solutions to improve accessibility.
Experts comprehensively check how accessible a website is.
Companies can have their websites officially certified to document their accessibility efforts.
Automatic Tools
Programs such as WAVE, Axe or Lighthouse can quickly identify technical problems.
Manual Tests
User feedback and tests with aids such as screen readers turned on provide important insights.
Our Vision
Accessibility should not be seen as an additional task, but as an integral part of web design. This is the only way to make digital services truly inclusive and future-proof.
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