Background Image

Digital Accessibility

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is on its way. Digital accessibility is no longer a "nice to have", but a "must have". But it is not just about compliance, it is also about social responsibility. The more digitalization permeates our daily lives, the more important it is that all people, regardless of ability, have equal access to digital content.

ℹ️ Read this article for a comprehensive overview and our specific recommendations!

Table of contents
  1. Abstract
  2. Legal basis
  3. Digital Accessibility Applications
  4. Technical standards and guidelines: The path to digital accessibility
  5. Technical Implementation of Digital Accessibility: How to Get Started
  6. The benefits of accessible websites: More than compliance
  7. Recommendations
  8. Further information and links
  9. Let us conclude
There is an AI-generated podcast for this article.
The speakers talk in a lively and detailed manner about the most important topics from the article. The content does not represent a comprehensive or objective view, but merely reflects the content of the article. This is an experimental feature: the voices are AI-generated and may contain errors and audio glitches.
Author: Matt @ Edonix Development

Abstract

The goal of digital accessibility is to make digital content available to everyone. Regardless of individual limitations or disabilities, all users should be able to use this content effectively. This includes easy navigation, understandable content and simple interaction.

As of June 28, 2025, the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) will make the European Accessibility Act (EAA) binding in Germany - a uniform legal framework for the entire European Union. It requires companies to make digital products and services accessible. Those who ignore these requirements risk severe penalties. But the EAA is more than just a legal standard: it is a clear signal that digital accessibility is no longer optional, but a fundamental requirement of modern technologies.

Accessibility is not an issue that affects only a small group. A significant portion of the world's population is affected by some form of disability. The sources researched put the figure at around 9.4% in Germany and up to 15% worldwide. Even if these figures are only estimates, they show that there is a significant target group for this topic. The demand for web accessibility is therefore based on social responsibility, inclusivity and the recognition of digital rights as fundamental human rights. As the digitalization of everyday life continues, it is increasingly important that everyone can participate and that no one is excluded by technical inadequacies.

Digital accessibility may seem complex, but with the right support, implementation is easier than you might think. The good news right up front is that a significant improvement can be achieved with just a little effort. So join me for a closer look.

Legal basis

In Germany, several laws and regulations form the legal basis for digital accessibility:

  • Disability Equality Act (BGG): This law forms the basis for equality for people with disabilities and serves as a framework for further regulations on accessibility, including digital accessibility.
  • Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0): This regulation is central to digital accessibility in Germany. It requires public federal institutions to provide accessible IT solutions. The main goal of BITV 2.0 is to ensure that digital services and information are accessible to all users, including people with disabilities.
  • Barrier-Free Access Act (BFSG): This law comes into force on June 28, 2025 and will further tighten the accessibility requirements for certain products and services. This law implements the EAA into national law.

There are other important regulations at the European and international levels:

  • Directive (EU) 2016/2102: This EU directive requires member states to ensure accessible websites and applications of public bodies. It came into force on December 22, 2016, and aims to improve access to digital public services for people with disabilities.
  • European Standard EN 301 549: This standard is the technical basis for the implementation of the EU directive. It defines the accessibility requirements for ICT products and services and is based on the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA.
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): This international convention, to which the EU and its Member States are parties, requires signatories to take measures to ensure equal access to information and communication technologies, including the Internet, for persons with disabilities.
  • Directive (EU) 2019/882: The aforementioned European Accessibility Act (EAA) was adopted in spring 2019. The aim is to harmonize the EU market for accessible products and services by eliminating different regulations in the member states.

Digital Accessibility Applications

Digital accessibility affects a wide range of applications and is much more than a technical detail. It plays a role in virtually every industry that uses digital solutions. It applies not only to websites, but also to applications, software products, and even hardware such as self-service kiosks. Companies that meet these requirements open up their offerings to a wider audience and create a better user experience for everyone. Here are the key application areas that organizations should consider:

Websites and online stores

Websites are often the first point of contact between you and your customers. An accessible website ensures that every user can understand the content and interact with the features offered. This is especially true for online stores, where accessible navigation and order processing are critical. After all, you want your products to be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

Mobile apps

Mobile apps have become an integral part of everyday life. To ensure that they can be used by all users, they must be designed to be accessible. This means, for example, that the app is compatible with screen readers, can be used with keyboard shortcuts or gestures, and that the content is clearly structured.

Self-service terminals and vending machines

Whether it is a ticket machine, ATM or check-in terminal, self-service solutions need to be accessible to everyone. Not only the user interface is critical, but also physical accessibility, such as installation at an appropriate height or alternative voice operation.

Digital services

From online banking to booking a doctor's appointment, digital services have become an integral part of everyday life. Accessibility ensures that these services can be used by everyone, whether they have visual, hearing, or fine motor impairments.

Software and internal applications

Internal software solutions used by companies should also be accessible. Employees with disabilities benefit from improved usability, such as clear structures, alternative input options, or customizable display options.

E-learning, entertainment and digital education

Education platforms, learning applications, and e-book readers play a central role in knowledge transfer and entertainment. Accessibility ensures that people with disabilities have access to the same learning content as everyone else. This includes providing captions, transcripts, and easy-to-understand text.

Technical standards and guidelines: The path to digital accessibility

To successfully implement digital accessibility, it is not enough to work on the surface. It requires a solid understanding of the existing technical standards and guidelines that have been developed for accessible digital products and content. Below are some of the key frameworks and guidelines that can help organizations and developers implement accessibility.

The POUR framework: The Four Pillars of Accessibility

The POUR framework is the foundation of most digital accessibility standards, most notably the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). It defines four principles for ensuring that digital content is accessible to all users:

  • Perceivable: Content must be designed to be perceived by all people. This includes providing alternative text for images or using sufficient contrast.
  • Operable: Navigation and interactions must be accessible to all users, including those using assistive technology or alternative input methods.
  • Understandable: Content and features must be clear and intuitive so that they can be used by users with cognitive limitations.
  • Robust: Digital content must be compatible with different devices and technologies, such as screen readers or legacy hardware.

The POUR framework provides a practical guide for integrating accessibility requirements throughout the development process.

ATAG: Accessibility starts with the content creation process

The Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) aim to build accessibility directly into authoring tools. Content management systems (CMS), website builders, and other tools should be designed to:

  • make it easier for authors to create accessible content, and
  • are accessible themselves.

ATAG helps organizations select and develop the right tools to ensure the quality of accessible content over time.

UAAG: Accessibility for browsers and media players

The User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) define accessibility standards for user agents, which are web browsers, media players, and other technologies that display digital content. The goal is to ensure that these tools:

  • support assistive technologies such as screen readers,
  • allow users to customize content (e.g., font size, contrast), and
  • provide alternative input methods such as voice control or keyboard access.

By adhering to the UAAG standards, publishers can ensure that their digital content remains accessible on the most popular platforms.

Android Accessibility Guidelines and iOS Human Interface Guidelines

Platform-specific standards such as the Android Accessibility Guidelines and the iOS Human Interface Guidelines are essential for mobile apps. These guidelines provide developers with clear guidelines to ensure that mobile applications:

  • work smoothly with assistive technologies such as TalkBack (Android) or VoiceOver (iOS),
  • provide consistent gesture control and alternative navigation, and
  • meet minimum requirements for contrast, font size, and touch targets.

Following these guidelines not only makes applications accessible, but also improves the overall user experience.

Conclusion: Understanding and applying these standards is essential to making digital content and products accessible to all. Companies benefit in several ways: they minimize legal risks, reach a wider audience, and enhance their reputation as an inclusive provider.

Technical Implementation of Digital Accessibility: How to Get Started

In this section, I will discuss key measures that will help you with the technical implementation. Whether you are a front-end developer, a web designer, or a product owner, you should have a good understanding of how to make a web application screen reader-ready, how to make the system accessible, and what criteria should be included in the definition of done.

Understanding WCAG: The first step towards accessibility

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the global standard for digital accessibility. They define criteria that content must meet to be accessible to the widest possible audience. The WCAG are divided into three levels of conformance:

  • A (essential requirements): Minimum requirements that must be met.
  • AA (advanced requirements): Often the target standard, e.g. for the European Accessibility Act.
  • AAA (highest requirements): Additional measures for maximum accessibility.

The WCAG criteria are based on the POUR framework (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and serve as a guide for developers and designers. They help avoid typical barriers such as missing alternative text or insufficient contrast.

Follow the basic rules for creating usable interfaces

The most important guidelines for creating usable interfaces are listed below:

  • Keyboard Accessibility: Ensure that all functionality is accessible via the keyboard, including tabbed navigation across forms.
  • Adequate time: Allow users enough time to read and use the content. If necessary, implement a customizable session timeout.
  • Avoid seizure triggers: Eliminate flashing content that can cause seizures. Use smooth animations or static images.
  • Clear focus indicators: Highlight interactive elements when they gain focus. Use borders or shadows on buttons.
  • Simplified navigation: Keep navigation simple for ease of use. Use consistent menu structures.
  • Readable text: Appropriate or adjustable font sizes (W3C recommends at least 16px for body text) and high-contrast colors ensure readability for users with visual impairments, including color blindness or low vision.
  • Alternative for media: Provide concise and contextual text descriptions for images. Provide captions for videos.
  • Responsive design: Seamlessly adapt to different screen sizes and devices.
Semantic HTML: The foundation of accessible websites

Semantic HTML is the key to accessible websites. It involves the targeted and correct use of HTML elements such as <header>, <nav>, <main>, <section>, or <footer> to clearly define the structure and meaning of content.

Why is this important?

  • Screen readers and other assistive technologies can use semantic HTML tags to help them understand what content is important and how it should be presented.
  • Users with cognitive impairments benefit from a logical and consistent structure.
  • Search engines understand content better, which helps your SEO strategy.

The correct use of semantic HTML tags is a simple but effective way to promote accessibility.

ARIA tags: When semantics are not enough

Not all interactive elements can be made accessible using semantic HTML alone. This is where ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) tags come in. They extend HTML by providing additional information relevant to assistive technologies. Some examples are:

  • aria-label: Adds invisible labels, e.g. for buttons without visible text.
  • aria-live: Notifies users of dynamic content, such as updates in a chat application.
  • aria-hidden: Hides irrelevant content from screen readers.

Important: ARIA tags should be used with care and should not replace semantic HTML tags, but rather complement them.

Testing accessibility: putting theory into practice

Regular testing is essential to ensure that your accessibility efforts are working in practice. You should use both automated tools and manual testing.

  • Automated testing: Tools such as Lighthouse, Axe, or WAVE analyze your code and report on accessibility issues such as missing alternative text or poor color contrast.
  • Manual testing: Simulate how users with disabilities use your site. For example, test navigation using a keyboard or operation with screen readers such as NVDA or VoiceOver.
  • User feedback: Work with people who use assistive technologies to test real-world use cases and get valuable feedback.

Conclusion: Accessibility starts with small, doable steps. The technical implementation of accessibility does not have to be complicated, but it does require commitment and a solid understanding of the basics. With WCAG as a guide, semantic HTML, targeted use of ARIA tags, and regular testing, you can build a strong foundation for accessible digital products.

The benefits of accessible websites: More than compliance

Digital accessibility is not just a legal obligation - it offers businesses and organizations a wide range of benefits. Below, I'll show you why accessible websites can add real value to your business and expand your audience.

Improved usability: Easier to navigate for everyone

Accessible websites provide an optimal user experience for all users, regardless of their individual abilities. Features such as clear structures, simple navigation, easy-to-read content, and high-contrast designs benefit people with disabilities as well as those without:

  • Older users who may have vision or hearing problems,
  • Users with temporary limitations (e.g., a broken arm)
  • People browsing on mobile devices or in challenging environments.

The result? Satisfied users who stay on your site longer and are more likely to become customers.

Greater reach and audience

An accessible website reaches people who would otherwise have difficulty using your content. About 15% of the world's population lives with a disability - that's about 1.3 billion potential users. But accessibility also opens your site up to other audiences:

  • People in regions with poor network coverage who benefit from efficient and streamlined designs.
  • Users who use technologies such as screen readers or voice controls.

By adapting to these diverse needs, you can significantly increase your reach.

Improved search engine optimization (SEO)

Accessibility and SEO go hand in hand. Search engines like Google rank sites that use semantic HTML, alternative text, and structured content as higher quality. This has several benefits:

  • Your content will be better indexed and rank higher in search results.
  • Users find what they are looking for more quickly, reducing the bounce rate.
  • Local and thematic searches can be answered more specifically.

With an accessible website, you not only improve accessibility, but also your visibility online.

Positive brand perception: Show your values

Accessibility signals responsibility and a commitment to inclusion. Companies that actively promote an accessible digital presence are perceived as socially responsible. This strengthens your brand and can have a positive impact on customer loyalty and employee motivation.

  • Customer loyalty: People are more likely to identify with brands that represent values such as diversity and equality.
  • Employer branding: An inclusive brand also appeals to potential employees who value social responsibility.
Reduced legal risks

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) and other legislation around the world make accessibility mandatory in many areas. Organizations that fail to meet these requirements risk:

  • heavy fines,
  • damage to their image through high-profile lawsuits,
  • loss of market share.

An accessible website not only protects you from legal consequences, but also positions you as a leader in a changing digital environment.

Conclusion: A win-win for your business and your users. Accessibility is not only an investment in your digital future, but also in a more equitable and accessible world. Why not get started today? We are here to help you every step of the way!

Recommendations

I would like to make some recommendations for practical implementation, especially for existing websites.

Analyse and prioritise
  • Check your website with recommended tools (such as axe DevTools, WAVE or a screen reader). You can find links in the last section.
  • Don't have enough experience? Get expert help if you need it. We are happy to help!
  • If possible, ask people with disabilities for support and get valuable feedback.
  • Collect complaints and sort them by urgency to help you prioritise.
Technical measures implementation

The following checklist may help you, depending on the point in question:

  • Use semantic HTML
  • Use ARIA tags when semantics is not enough
  • Optimise keyboard navigation
  • Optimise font sizes
  • Optimise colour contrast
  • Optimise forms
Content optimisation

The actual content of your website can also be optimised for accessibility:

  • Add alternative text to images and videos
  • Add an appropriate tooltip to navigation elements without text (e.g. icons only)
  • Organise headings into a logical structure (usually h1-h3 are sufficient)
  • Optimise the length, complexity and structure of text for the target audience
  • Use clear navigation labels

Further information and links

If you are interested, you can delve deeper into the respective topic here.

Note: The following links lead to external sites over whose content we do not control. The linked pages were checked for possible legal violations at the time of linking. Illegal contents were not recognizable at the time of linking. If we become aware of any violations of the law, we will remove such links immediately.

Technical standards
Tools

Let us conclude

Thank you for reading this article. I hope I was able to give you some new food for thought and whet your appetite for more. Stay curious, educate yourself, and help shape the future! If we can help you, please feel free to contact us!

Your feedback is always welcome.

Sprechen Sie uns gerne an.