Accessibility
Design of software and websites so they are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. From 2025 mandatory in the EU for many digital offerings.
Digital accessibility is not only an ethical goal but increasingly a legal requirement. With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and national laws (e.g. BFSG in Germany), many digital products and services must be accessible from June 2025. Beyond that, everyone benefits from accessible interfaces – accessibility and good usability go together.
What is Accessibility?
Accessibility (a11y) in a digital context means that websites, apps and software can be used by everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive limitations. This includes visual (blindness, low vision, colour blindness), auditory (deafness, hard of hearing), motor (limited dexterity, assistive devices) and cognitive (reading difficulties, attention). The international standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), currently 2.2, with three conformance levels: A, AA and AAA.
How does Accessibility work?
Accessible development follows four principles (POUR): Perceivable – content must be available through at least one sense (e.g. alt text for images, captions for video). Operable – all functionality must be usable with keyboard, screen reader and alternative input. Understandable – content and navigation must be clear and predictable. Robust – content must work with different technologies (browsers, screen readers, zoom). This is implemented with semantic HTML, ARIA, sufficient contrast (at least 4.5:1), keyboard support and skip links.
Practical Examples
Alt text for images: Informative images get descriptive alt text for screen readers, e.g. 'Bar chart showing 15% revenue increase in Q3 2025'.
Keyboard navigation: All interactive elements are reachable with Tab and have a visible focus indicator.
Captions and transcripts: Videos have captions and full transcripts for screen reader users.
Colour contrast: Text on coloured backgrounds meets at least WCAG AA (4.5:1), including buttons and form fields.
Clear error messages: Form errors are stated clearly and shown next to the field, not only by colour.
Typical Use Cases
E-commerce: Accessible shops reach the large audience of people with disabilities
Public sector: Government sites must meet accessibility requirements
Banking and finance: Services in scope of EAA must be accessible from 2025
Education: Accessible learning materials support inclusive education
Intranet: Internal tools should be accessible so all staff can participate
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Legal compliance: Avoid fines and complaints by meeting EAA/accessibility laws
- Larger audience: Over a billion people worldwide have a disability
- Better SEO: Semantic HTML, alt text and structure help search rankings
- Better usability for everyone: Accessibility improves experience for all users
- Positive brand: Inclusive products strengthen trust and image
Disadvantages
- Upfront effort: Retrofitting accessibility can be costly
- Expertise: Correct ARIA, screen reader testing and WCAG need know-how
- Design constraints: Some visual effects (low contrast, motion) may need adjustment
- Ongoing care: New features must be checked for accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions about Accessibility
What does the European Accessibility Act require?
How do I test my site for accessibility?
What does implementing accessibility cost?
Related Terms
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