Imagine standing in front of a door and being unable to enter. For people with disabilities, this is an everyday problem, but in our digital world, it often doesn’t end there. And this is where the valid question of digital accessibility begins, which is the topic of this post.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility is a measure for the inclusion of people with temporary or permanent impairments, enabling them to fully participate in daily life. Thanks to growing legal requirements, such as the German Disability Equality Act (BGG) and the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), we are thankfully seeing more and more ramps or self-opening doors. But barriers don’t only exist in the physical world. A good example can be found in today’s application process for vacant positions. Most companies provide information about job openings solely on their website, and many more want applications submitted only via upload. This means that a promising employee who is blind cannot complete this step without third-party assistance, and the company may, unfortunately, miss out on a valuable employee.
Such barriers come in many forms, many of which people without impairments may not even recognize because they aren’t affected. Non-native speakers, for example, can quickly encounter difficulties, especially on more complex sites, and may be unable to consume the content as a result.
Barriers in Everyday Life and Where to Find Them
There are generally four types of barriers: Technical barriers, which prevent content consumption by not being optimized for screen readers or not offering such tools on the site itself. Cognitive barriers affect not only dyslexic people but also non-native speakers and individuals who are trying to consume content in particularly noisy environments without headphones. Motoric limitations, such as temporary hand injuries, amputations, or brain disorders, create another barrier that makes it impossible to use input devices. Lastly, sensory barriers arise, particularly in the case of visual or auditory impairments. These limitations can range from permanent blindness to temporary conjunctivitis.
The EU Is Pressuring – Legal Requirements for Accessibility Are Increasing
Since 2019, the state has required all public authorities to make their websites accessible in accordance with the Disability Equality Act (BGG) in compliance with a European regulation. Since 2021, this also applies to all publicly accessible apps. This must be done according to the “Accessibility Information Ordinance” (B.I.T.V.2.0), which in turn is derived from the American “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines” (WCAG). But more on that later.
What was previously only relevant for authorities will also affect all private companies offering electronic commerce starting from June 28, 2025. The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) is a derivative of the “European Accessibility Act” (EAA). Its goal is to enable EU-wide, non-discriminatory participation of all people in products and services on the web.
In detail, this will affect all private companies offering online shops, passenger transport, telecommunications, or banking services, as well as all their connected end devices such as computers, smartphones, or ticket machines. For those who are happy because they believe they are not part of this group, there’s bad news: The BFSG even applies to all sites that already offer appointment booking tools or contact forms. This significantly broadens the circle of affected parties. Consequently, to avoid potential warnings, every website should be designed to be accessible. For people with special needs, this would definitely be the “best case.”
Web Accessibility According to the Gold Standard
The “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines” (WCAG) are the ultimate standard in the field of legally required accessibility. These guidelines were developed by the recognized “World Wide Web Consortium” (W3C) and have been continuously improved over the decades. They provide guidelines for uniform accessibility design worldwide. As they have been seamlessly adopted by both the EU and, more recently, the German government as the gold standard, adherence to the WCAG is also mandatory for German companies with a web presence, as long as the aforementioned conditions are met. To ensure compliance, the following key aspects must be considered:
Above all, accessibility must be ensured for individuals with (temporary) blindness or deafness. This includes providing screen readers, alternative text for images, or subtitles for videos. The need for interactivity also makes this necessary, as particularly older individuals struggle with small font sizes or low contrast, especially when clicking on links. Certain parts of a site repeatedly exclude users if not properly considered. A good, responsive web design for smartphone users of all ages is essential for unrestricted access. This design adapts to all devices and ensures that no content is lost.
For those who have always wanted to learn more about responsive web design and its benefits, this article is perfect: Responsive Web Design & Mobile Optimization
This particularly affects the requirement for navigability, which, in addition to the visibility of offers, also requires short navigation paths and a clear page structure. This should also facilitate the usability, which focuses more on the visual ease of use. This can be achieved through closely placed buttons or the provision of a digital magnifying glass. Finally, and this goes without saying, the content of a page must also be easy to understand. This can be achieved by providing an option for presenting a page in “simple language.” Additionally, avoiding technical jargon, Anglicisms, or obscure abbreviations contributes to this.
Exceptions to the Rule – Non-compliance with Accessibility and Its Consequences
Although many private companies fall under the scope of the BFSG, it does not apply to all web content providers. Small businesses with fewer than ten employees or a balance sheet total of no more than two billion euros are exempt from this. Companies whose business model is strictly limited to the private B2B sector are also “off the hook.” However, legal adjustments are expected in the coming years, as the fundamental goal of the BFSG – the unrestricted participation of all citizens in all areas of life – remains intact. Non-compliance carries hefty penalties. After an initial free, one-time warning, authorities can shut down the entire electronic commerce of a company, including its website. The resulting damages can be astronomical and are further complemented by hefty fines, which can reach four-figure amounts.
If the threat of legal changes or the satisfaction of doing something morally right isn’t enough motivation for you, there’s another factor: Major search engines like Google are strong advocates for WCAG accessibility guidelines. This means that websites implementing these guidelines early on are virtually guaranteed a better spot on the highly competitive first page of search results. Such increased visibility can quickly offset the effort of making your website accessible and make SEO measures even more effective.
Your Path to Accessibility
In a noisy environment and without headphones, subtitles are helpful. When the sun shines brightly on your device, high-contrast backgrounds assist. As shown, not only people with physical disabilities but everyone benefits from internet accessibility.
To determine whether your website is already accessible, what further requirements exist, and how to ensure a non-discriminatory web presence for all users, the best approach is to conduct an accessibility audit. These are offered by web or brand design agencies and help you not only avoid penalties but also gain a competitive advantage.