Web Accessibility (according to WCAG)
Web accessibility means that all people can use a website or mobile application – regardless of whether they live with a disability or are currently impaired. Impairments can be both permanent characteristics (e. g. blindness) and situational circumstances (e. g. children screaming). With an accessible design, you therefore support millions of users in different life situations.
Why is Web Accessibility important?
Disabilities affect all people. While some of us live with a disability permanently, others are affected only in specific situations. People can...
- be blind from birth.
- be blinded by the sun on the beach.
- become farsighted in old age.
- be deaf.
- have difficulty understanding the sound of a video at a noisy train station.
- live with motor disabilities.
- have only one hand available with a child in their arms.
The goal of accessibility is to provide equal access to web content and mobile applications for everyone in every situation.
Legal Requirements for Web Accessibility
German Laws
The German Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0) provides a legal basis for the accessible design of websites and mobile applications in Germany. Through this ordinance, public bodies in particular are obliged to ensure the accessibility of their websites and mobile applications for people with disabilities.
International Laws
At European level, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) was introduced in 2019. This directive must be applied in all EU member states as of June 28, 2025. It prescribes that many products and services must be accessible in the future. This includes, for example, online stores and ticket vending machines.
Which questions can arise about accessibility?
- Is your website accessible to people who only use a keyboard (without a mouse)?
- Can forms on your website be filled out without sight?
- Does your website contain representations that could trigger an epileptic fit?
- Is content available in plain language and sign language?
- Does the HTML syntax of your website allow for the use of a screen reader?
- Are contrasts selected in a manner that people with visual impairments can perceive them?
What are the advantages of accessible products?
Accessibly designed websites allow an easier use for everyone and offer additional advantages:
- Enlargement of your target group
- Better findability in search engines
- Shorter loading times due to leaner source code
- Improvement of reputation through compliance in the area of „inclusion“
- Easier maintenance due to separation of layout and content
- Better readability on mobile devices
How do we support accessible design?
Until now, accessibility has only been mandatory for websites and applications of public institutions. However, an accessible design makes sense at any time, as it offers advantages for every user (e.g. better usability for everyone, better findability in search engines).
That's why you can expect us to provide you with tips and hints for accessible design of your product at appropriate points - even for projects that were not planned with accessibility in focus. And we naturally follow the principles of accessibility when designing digital products such as websites, apps, software.
Do you have specific questions about how to ensure accessibility in your project? We are happy to help you. Free of charge and without obligation.
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Accessibility as part of UX
As usability and user experience professionals, it is a matter of course for us to support you in identifying barriers in your product and removing them.
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Comply with legal requirements at an early stage
Accessible design of many products will soon be required by law. Start making your products accessible to everyone now.
Design for Accessibility
In addition to technical aspects, the accessibility of a website is directly related to the design in many respects. For example: How can sufficient contrasts be ensured while still complying with the colors of the corporate design?
Our UX design team helps you find answers to this type of questions and develops accessible design solutions for your website or application. We start by creating simple prototypes (prototyping, which are then iteratively transformed into a final, interactive concept.