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According to the WebAIM study, 95 percent of all websites are not accessible. And this excludes some people from shopping online, using social media, booking services and much more. But what makes an accessible website?
An accessible website is characterized by the fact that everyone can use it. Then it doesn't matter whether someone has a visual or hearing impairment, they can use all functions without restriction.
In short, an accessible website must fulfill the following four main categories:
If all criteria are met, users can visit and interact with the website without additional installation.
Accessibility goes far beyond technical adaptations - it directly affects the user-friendliness of your website. For example, a screen reader enables blind people to read content aloud, fill out contact forms and navigate through links.
For such functions to work reliably, the website must be programmed correctly. Accessible websites make digital services accessible to everyone and create a better user experience.
Your website thus becomes an inclusive place where no one is excluded - regardless of whether they have disabilities or not.
Admittedly, the good feeling of not excluding anyone is often not enough in everyday business life. You should therefore be aware of the following tangible benefits:
1. increasing the target group
According to Aktion Mensch, around 7.8 million people with disabilities live in Germany. An accessible website allows you to address these potential customers directly - and not leave anyone out.
2. improvement of the SEO
Search engines such as Google reward accessible websites with better rankings, as they are often more clearly structured and user-friendly.
3. legal requirements
The Accessibility Reinforcement Act obliges many companies to ensure accessibility. Those who do not comply risk fines and damage to their image.
In addition, an accessible website increases customer satisfaction, reduces discrimination and promotes digital participation - a win-win situation for companies and society.
You may have asked yourself: Who are accessible websites actually intended for? For far more people than you might initially think:
But what about the legal requirements? Here are the most important facts about accessible websites.
In June 2025 (28.06.2025), the BFSG (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz) will come into force. This is a reaction to the EU directive of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). From this date, private and commercial websites must be accessible
This means that companies must make their websites and digital offerings accessible. The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and the three conformance levels A, AA and AAA form the basis.
A stands for a “must”, AA for a “should” and AAA for a “can”.
If the following conditions are met, you must convert your website:
The Accessibility Reinforcement Act primarily affects companies in the B2C sector. However, not all B2B companies are excluded from the legal requirements.
The accessibility obligation generally applies if a company offers publicly accessible digital services. This means:
Public websites have had to be accessible since the introduction of the BITV - this is clearly regulated by law. Important standards are
The BITV was last updated in 2019 and specifies concrete minimum requirements. The aim is to enable all people - regardless of disability - to access digital information and services.
Below you will find an overview of the possible penalties that can be imposed on a company if it violates the Accessible Website Guidelines:
Fines:
Up to €50,000 for violations
Regulatory measures:
Warnings
Orders for rectification
Prohibition of data processing operations
Consequences under civil law:
Claims for damages by affected persons
Reputational damage:
Negative publicity
Loss of trust among customers and partner companies
Legal action:
Possible penalty payments
Court-ordered implementation obligations
It is therefore important to deal with the changeover before the deadline in June and avoid possible consequences.
There are three key steps you need to take to make your website accessible:
Analyze accessibility
Start with an analysis of the current state of your website, for example using a BITV test according to BIK and tools such as WAVE. In addition, an analysis and consultation with an experienced agency is particularly useful for extensive websites.
This will help you to identify whether the requirements of EN 301 549 are met and where barriers exist. As a result, you should define a list of all the points that need to be addressed.
Implement measures
Technical requirements: Ensure that screen readers recognize the page structure by correctly labeling links and forms and using technologies such as ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications).
Alternative control methods: Enable navigation via keyboard, voice input or magnification software (screen magnifier). The use of tabindex can help to organize the sequence of elements logically.
Customize content: All content, including PDFs, should be made accessible. If certain areas are not accessible, offer transitional solutions.
Documentation and improving accessibility continuously
Upload an accessible “accessibility statement” to your website in which you make transparent which parts of the website are already accessible and where you can still make improvements. In addition, users should be able to report barriers so that you can continuously make improvements.
People with disabilities have no problems interacting or consuming content on an accessible website. The following functions, among others, should be available:
The list shows the most important functions, but can also be shorter or longer depending on the type of your website.
The cost of an accessible website depends on various factors. One decisive aspect is how much accessible content is already available. The final price is largely determined by the current status of the website or online store.
If accessibility is taken into account directly as part of a relaunch, the conception, design and development are somewhat more complex, but this additional effort pays off. Subsequent adjustments, on the other hand, can be just as time-consuming and costly as a complete relaunch.
The factors that play a role here are
It becomes more complex and expensive with extensive conversions and tests as well as a subsequent analysis. Large projects can cost up to 10,000 euros.
The accessible website is coming and with it the conversion of the website. With our overview, you are prepared for the deadline and can sit back and relax after the conversion to an accessible website.
We will be happy to support you with accessibility and website relaunches. We will explain exactly how in a non-binding introductory meeting. Contact us by phone on 0711 184206-0 or by email at hello@wus.agency.
