In Germany, around 7.8 million people are living with a vision, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairment. And all of them, regardless of their condition, want and deserve to have access to all the information the Web has to offer.
By ensuring their online presence is accessible, companies can make a valuable contribution toward greater inclusivity and also expand their reach.
In five simple steps, you can make visiting your website an accessible experience.
1. Legal basis and standards for accessible websites
Starting in 2025, many websites based in Germany will be required by law to comply with a new set of accessibility standards. The incoming legislation will primarily apply to public sector bodies, but many private companies will also be impacted, particularly those in the B2C sector. The situation in the B2B sector isn’t quite clear yet, though. Regardless, it makes sense for everyone to begin implementing some of the measures now. The legislation will be based on the following guidelines:
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) are recognized worldwide and provide a comprehensive framework for the creation of accessible web content. The guidelines describe three levels of conformity: A, AA and AAA, with AA being the minimum standard for most websites.
Another important set of guidelines are set out in the Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV), Germany’s accessible information technology directive. These guidelines are based on the WCAG and call for public sector bodies to make their websites and mobile applications accessible.
At the European level, the EU Directive 2016/2102 demands that all public sector websites and mobile applications be accessible. The introduction of this directive means that all EU member states are obliged to implement accessibility standards in accordance with the WCAG, with the aim of guaranteeing digital inclusivity for all citizens.
Familiarizing yourself with these legal principles in detail will give you a solid basis from which to understand the principles of accessible web design.
2. Assistive technologies
Assistive technologies play a crucial role in website accessibility, because they make it possible for people with disabilities to navigate webpages. Some of the most important include:
- Screen readers: This software reads online content aloud. For the best possible functionality, websites should be semantically structured and each image should be displayed with alt text that describes its respective purpose or content in more detail.
- Braille displays: These tactile output devices convert text into Braille so that it can be read by users with visual impairments. Written content that’s clear and structured is essential for a smooth experience.
- Keyboards: Many people with motor impairments prefer keyboards to mice. Therefore, all functions and elements of a website should be accessible via the keyboard, ideally using the standard keys. We also recommend the use of tabindex so that users can navigate the interactive elements of the HTML file, as well as links and form fields, using the tab key and to change the order of the navigation if required.
- Speech recognition software: This technology enables users to navigate a website using voice input. All interactive elements on a website should be labeled clearly so that recognition is as smooth as possible.
- Magnification software: Tools such as Zoomtext enlarge the content of a page for people with visual impairments. The design of your website should be flexible and adaptable to different screen sizes without compromising user-friendliness.
The more widely these technologies are used, the more accessible your website will be.
3. Additional info for website elements
The use of accessible rich internet applications (ARIA) can significantly improve websites’ accessibility.
ARIA offer a range of attributes that can be integrated into a website’s HTML code to enhance accessibility for users with disabilities. These include:
- role: Defines the role of an element so that the screen reader can clearly recognize its respective function, such as: role=”button” for buttons or role=”navigation” for navigation areas.
- aria-label: Enables the allocation of a text-based element description that can be read by assistive technologies, such as: .
- aria-live: Informs screen readers about dynamic content that can change independently of the user’s interaction, such as:
Message sent - aria-expanded: Indicates whether an element is expanded or collapsed, which is particularly useful for drop-down menus, such as: .
By consistently applying these attributes, you ensure that your website complies with legal requirements as well as provides an inclusive user experience for all.
4. Accessible design principles
5. Assessing accessibility and troubleshooting
Assessing your website’s accessibility is an important step in ensuring that your website is accessible to all users. There are a number of ways of doing this:
- Automated tools: With the help of tools such as WAVE, Axe, and Lighthouse, an initial analysis can be carried out quickly. These tools identify common problems such as missing alt texts or instances of insufficient color contrast.
- Manual tests: The accessible functions of a website (its compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and other assistive technologies) are scrutinized by users with disabilities to determine user-friendliness.
- User feedback: Direct feedback from the target group (for example through surveys) can help you identify and eliminate specific issues of accessibility.
The value of regular reviews can’t be overstated, as technologies and web standards are constantly evolving. By carrying out regular audits, you ensure that your website remains accessible.
- Maintenance and updates: Regularly schedule reviews, especially after major updates or design changes.
- Team training: Make sure your team stays on top of the latest accessibility best practices and that these are implemented in their daily work.
By conducting consistent reviews and keeping an eye out for bugs, you’ll make a significant contribution to making the digital world an inclusive space.
If you take all of the above considerations into account when designing your website, your online presence will be accessible to so many more users.
Accessible web design benefits everyone
Online accessibility promotes digital participation and inclusive education. Ensuring that people with disabilities also have full access to information and services supports equality in the digital space.
Each visitor to your website will benefit from a clear, user-friendly, and intuitive navigation structure – regardless. And accessible web design can also have a positive impact on search engine optimization (SEO).
By complying with all legal requirements for accessible websites, considering your site’s compatibility with assistive technologies, integrating ARIA attributes, implementing accessible design principles, and carrying out regular auditing, you’ll create an inclusive online presence with enhanced accessibility for all.