Accessible Website:

Accessible websites are designed to be open to all users, regardless of their abilities or limitations. This includes people with disabilities, older individuals, and users who employ specific technologies.

Content on the topic of Accessible Websites:

• Basic Principles of Accessibility
• What is Accessibility?
• Why is Accessibility Important?
• What Requirements Apply to Accessible Websites?
• How Can One Design an Accessible Website?

Website accessibility is important because it enables all users, regardless of their abilities, to have access. It promotes inclusion, improves the user experience, expands reach, supports search engine optimization, and complies with legal requirements. Furthermore, it demonstrates social responsibility and offers economic benefits through a broader target audience.

1. Perceptible: Content and surfaces should be perceivable by everyone. This includes text alternatives for images, sufficient text-background contrast, and various media formats.
2. Operable: The site must be operable regardless of the input method. Navigation should be possible via keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen, without time constraints.
3. Understandable: Information and operation must be clear. This includes simple language, consistent navigation, and a clear layout.

4. Robust: The development should be compatible with various technologies. Standards-compliant code ensures future accessibility.

   Accessibility promotes inclusion, improves the user experience, and expands reach. Therefore, it should be considered from the very beginning of the website development process.

Accessibility on websites means that they are designed to be used by all people, regardless of their physical or technical capabilities. The goal is to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities and enable them to access information and functions of the website.

Important aspects of accessibility:

Web accessibility is an essential part of designing websites to ensure they are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Here are some important aspects:

• Alternative text for images: Images should be provided with descriptive alt texts to convey their content to users with visual impairments.
• Keyboard navigation: Websites must be operable without a mouse, ensuring that all functions can be accessed via the keyboard.
• Contrast and readability: High contrast between text and background makes reading easier. The font size should be adjustable.
• Captions and transcripts: Videos should provide captions and transcripts to enable access to content for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
• Structured content: Clear and logical structuring of content with headings, paragraphs, and lists aids in navigation.
• Clear language: Use simple and clear language to make the content understandable for everyone.
• Form accessibility: Forms should be clearly labeled and easy to fill out. Error messages must be understandable and helpful.
• Compatibility with assistive technologies: Ensure that your website is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• Responsiveness: The website should function well on various devices and screen sizes.

These factors contribute to websites being designed inclusively and being able to reach a broader user base.

Advantages of accessibility:

Web accessibility offers numerous benefits that go beyond the ethical aspect of inclusion. Here are some of the most important advantages:

1. Extended Target Group  
Accessible websites are available to a larger user group, including older adults and people with disabilities. This can increase the potential reach and thus visitor numbers.

2. Improved User Experience  
Many principles of accessibility, such as clear navigation and understandable content, enhance overall user-friendliness. All users benefit from a clear structure and easily accessible information.

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)  
Accessible websites are often better optimized for search engines. Structured content, labeled images, and clear hierarchies help search engines better understand and index the content.

4. Legal Compliance  
In many countries, there are legal requirements for the accessibility of websites, especially for public institutions. Complying with these regulations protects against legal consequences and penalties.

5. Social Responsibility  
Accessible websites demonstrate a company or organization's commitment to inclusion and social responsibility. This can positively influence brand image and strengthen user trust.

6. Future Security  
Given demographic changes and an aging population, accessibility is becoming increasingly important. An accessible website is more future-proof and better prepared for the needs of a changing user base.

7. Technological Innovation  
The development of accessible websites promotes technological innovations that benefit all users. Examples include the development of voice controls and adaptive technologies originally intended for people with disabilities.

8. Economic Benefits  
By reaching new user groups and improving the user experience, accessible websites can also offer economic advantages by strengthening customer loyalty and increasing revenue.

Overall, accessibility helps make websites more inclusive, user-friendly, and successful, benefiting both users and operators.

For accessible websites, specific requirements apply to ensure that digital content is accessible to all users. These requirements are often based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are internationally recognized. Here are the key requirements:

Perceptibility

1. Text alternatives: Providing alternative texts for non-textual content such as images and graphics.
2. Subtitles and transcripts: Videos should include subtitles and transcripts to provide access for hearing-impaired individuals.
3. Contrast: Sufficient contrast between text and background to ensure readability.
4. Customizable content: Content should be scalable so that users can adjust the font size.

Usability

1. Keyboard navigation: The entire website should be navigable using the keyboard without a mouse.
2. Time-controlled content: Users must be given enough time to read and understand time-controlled content.
3. Navigation aids: Provide clear navigation structures and orientation aids such as "breadcrumbs."
4. Avoidance of flashing effects: Content should not contain blinking or flickering effects to avoid triggering epileptic seizures.

Comprehensibility

1. Clear language: Use simple and clear language to make content understandable for everyone.
2. Predictable navigation: Consistent structures and navigation elements across all pages.
3. Assistance: Provide assistance and guidelines, especially for complex forms.

Robustness

1. Compatibility with assistive technologies: Content must be compatible with various screen readers and other aids.
2. Standards-compliant code: Use of clean, validated code that will also withstand future technologies.

Implementation

The implementation of these requirements requires close collaboration between designers, developers, and testers. Regular reviews and user feedback are essential to ensure that the website remains truly accessible. Accessibility is a continuous process that should be considered from the planning phase in order to create an inclusive digital environment in the long term.

The BFSG for Websites: What do you need to know?

The Disability Equality Act (BGG) and the subsequent Accessible Information Technology Regulation (BITV) in Germany establish the requirements for accessible websites. The Strengthening Accessibility Act (BFSG) complements these regulations and expands the obligations for accessibility. Here are the main points you should know about the BFSG for websites:

Objectives of the BFSG

The BFSG aims to improve accessibility in various areas, including the internet, and to enable people with disabilities to participate equally in digital life. It covers both public and private providers and ensures uniform standards.

Scope and Obligations

1. Public Bodies: All websites and mobile applications of public bodies must be accessible. This includes government agencies, municipal administrations, and other public institutions.
2. Private Providers: Certain private companies that offer products and services important to the general public must also be accessible. This includes banks, telecommunications providers, and e-commerce platforms.
3. Deadlines: Companies and public bodies have specific deadlines to comply with accessibility requirements. These deadlines vary depending on the sector and specific requirements.

To design a website to be accessible, various measures should be taken that are based on the needs of all users, especially people with disabilities. Here are some steps to ensure web accessibility.en:

1. Planning and Design

• Inclusive planning: Start with an inclusive design approach. Consider accessibility from the planning phase.
• Simple navigation: Ensure that the navigation is intuitive and consistent so that users can easily find their way.
• Contrast and readability: Use sufficient contrast between text and background and choose well-readable fonts.

2. Content Design

• Alt texts for images: Add meaningful alternative texts to all images so that screen reader users can understand the content.
• Subtitles and transcripts: Provide subtitles and transcripts for videos to make them accessible to hearing-impaired individuals.
• Clear language: Use simple and understandable language to keep content accessible to a broad audience.

3. Technical Implementation

• Keyboard Accessibility: Ensure that all functions of the website are accessible via keyboard, as not all users can use a mouse.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Optimize the website for screen readers by using semantic HTML and adhering to the correct structure.
• Responsive Design: Ensure that the website works well on different devices, including mobile devices.

4. Testing and Feedback

• Accessibility Testing: Conduct regular tests with accessibility assessment tools to identify technical deficiencies.
• Gather User Feedback: Work with people with disabilities to obtain direct feedback on usability.
• Ongoing Review: Continuously update and review the website for accessibility to incorporate new standards and technologies.

5. Training and Awareness

• Team Training: Train your team in accessible design and development to ensure that all participants understand the requirements.
• Awareness: Promote an awareness of accessibility within your organization to underscore its importance.

By implementing these measures, you can create a website that provides equal access to all users and improves the overall user experience. Accessibility should be understood as a continuous process that accompanies the development and maintenance of the website.

We are happy to advise on the topic of website accessibility. After conducting an audit, the tasks for implementation are transparent.