The future is barrier-free
Accessibility is the topic where most website operators walk a fine line between panic and deep relaxation. From mid-2025, it will be mandatory for (almost) all companies to make their own website Experience accessible. Read on to find out why your website is most likely affected by the Accessibility Improvement Act and how you can take action.
What is accessibility and why is it so important?
Accessibility means that all people - regardless of their physical or mental abilities - can access places, products, services and information without barriers. In the digital sphere, this means that websites, apps and other technologies are designed and developed in such a way that they are accessible and usable for everyone.
Accessibility is a fundamental right and affects all people because it fundamentally enables everyone to use content and services regardless of possible limitations. Everyone benefits from accessible services, but certain groups are particularly dependent on them:
Anyone can be affected by restrictions - temporarily, situationally or permanently. In Germany, it is estimated that accessibility affects between 25 and 34 million people. For all these people, digital accessibility means
a better quality of life,
social participation that is perhaps only or mostly possible digitally and
a "normal" life that is taken for granted by people without disabilities.
The Accessibility Reinforcement Act: the legal basis
To ensure digital accessibility on the web, the Accessibility Reinforcement Act will come into force on 28.06.2025. This is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2), which provide a comprehensive overview of the requirements for accessible web content. The guidelines contain detailed instructions and criteria to ensure web accessibility for all, regardless of their abilities or limitations. They consist of three levels of conformance - A (minimum), AA (standard) and AAA (maximum) - and cover a wide range of requirements, from image description and transcriptions to keyboard accessibility.
Incidentally, the WCAG 2.2 guidelines were defined by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), which in turn is part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) - the leading international organization that develops standards for the web.
Which digital applications are required to be accessible?
The Accessibility Improvement Act primarily affects all areas of digital commerce and services that must be designed to be accessible by 2025. This includes e-commerce platforms, websites with appointment bookings and all authentication, identification and payment systems used. Companies must also provide accessibility information on their websites.
The BFSG covers almost all types of websites and mobile applications that are developed or provided for the German market. This includes both public and private providers that make digital content or services available.
What companies have to consider
Companies must make their digital products and services accessible by 28.06.2025 in order to avoid fines. In addition to the implementation deadline, companies must also carry out regular tests: digital offerings must be continuously checked for accessibility, including feedback from affected users and careful documentation. In general, companies should see accessibility as a fundamental part of their long-term strategy. Not as a one-off measure, but as an ongoing process.
The 4 principles of accessibility
Accessibility in the digital context covers various areas that can be roughly divided into four main categories:
Perceivability: content must be designed in such a way that all users can grasp it with their senses, e.g. through text alternatives for images and high color contrasts.
Usability: All functions and navigation elements must be accessible for different operating methods, for example using the keyboard to enable access for users with motor impairments or without a mouse.
Comprehensibility: Content and navigation should be clearly structured and easy to understand so that all users can find their way around.
Robustness: Content must be technically structured in such a way that it can be correctly interpreted by different devices, browsers and assistive technologies (such as screen readers).
We have compiled examples of the exact requirements that should be met with these principles below.
Specific requirements of the 4 accessibility principles
Principle of perceptibility:
Fonts and texts are easily recognizable and legible (contrasts, color scheme, hierarchy, etc.)
The design adapts flexibly to the device and the user
The website supports the use of aids such as screen readers
Principle of usability:
All functions should be accessible via keyboard
The focus on the page must be clearly recognizable and logically navigable
Users should have sufficient time to read content or make entries
Avoid flashing or moving content for better accessibility
Principle of comprehensibility:
The website offers clear orientation
The texts are simple
Information is also provided in plain language and sign language
Consistent menus and controls on all pages
Clear assistance for input fields
Principle of robustness:
Clean HTML code ensures reliable display on all devices
Web standards such as WAI-ARIA support barrier-free interactions
Fault-tolerant formats enable access even in the event of technical problems
Responsive design ensures accessibility on different devices
Accessibility as an opportunity: more customers, better user experience
Accessibility is much more than just a legal requirement - it offers companies the opportunity to reach new target groups, optimize processes and strengthen their brand image. Here is an overview of the most important benefits:
Tapping into new target groups:accessible digital offerings open doors for people who were previously excluded. People with disabilities in particular benefit from inclusive adaptations, allowing companies to reach new customer groups.
Strengthening brand image: Companies that take accessibility seriously demonstrate a sense of responsibility and position themselves as pioneers in social responsibility. This strengthens the trust and image of the brand in the long term.
Improve SEO:Clear structures, optimized navigation and accessible content not only increase user-friendliness, but also improve visibility in search engines. Accessibility thus becomes a competitive advantage.
Reduce support requirements: Accessible websites are more intuitive and easier to use. This leads to fewer user questions and reduces the need for support - a win-win situation for companies and users.
Improve usability : What is accessible is also user-friendly. Clear navigation and optimized readability make it easier for all users to access information - regardless of limitations.
Meet legal requirements : he German Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) makes accessibility mandatory by 2025. Acting now not only ensures compliance with legal standards, but also long-term competitiveness.
Accessibility as an iterative process
Digital accessibility is not a one-off milestone, but a continuous process that requires regular adjustments and optimizations. In order to make a website inclusive in the long term, a step-by-step and structured approach is crucial. The process begins with an automated initial check of the website, during which basic barriers are identified. Tools such as Eye-Able provide a solid starting point and help to identify initial weaknesses. In addition, an expert audit is essential. Manual audits in accordance with the WCAG 2.2 guidelines uncover specific problems that automated tests often overlook - such as the complexity of navigation elements or a lack of contrast.
The results of these analyses flow into a backlog that prioritizes specific recommendations for action and defines the next steps. Design and development teams then work closely together to systematically remove the identified barriers. Thorough documentation of the solutions is crucial in order to create a knowledge base for future optimizations. But even after implementation, the process does not end. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure that new content or changes to the website do not create new barriers. This iterative approach ensures that accessibility remains a permanent part of the digital strategy and ensures user-friendliness in the long term.
With this structured process, companies ensure that their websites not only meet legal requirements, but are also designed to be inclusive and future-proof.
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