Accessibility on the Internet

Web accessibility is an important aspect that is often overlooked by many web developers and designers. But it is essential that websites are accessible to all users, regardless of their individual abilities or limitations.

To ensure that a website is accessible, there are guidelines created by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines are known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The WCAG are a set of recommendations and best practices to ensure that a website is accessible to people with disabilities.

The WCAG have three ranks of conformance: A, AA, and AAA. These ranks are not hierarchical, but represent different levels of conformance.

The 3 ranks of
Website Accessibility

Rank A includes the basic recommendations for accessible web content and is the minimum requirement for most websites. Some examples of Rank A recommendations include:

Alternative text for images: Images should have alternative text describing what is in the image for users who cannot see the image.
Headings: use a clear hierarchy of headings to structure the content and make it more understandable for all users.
Color contrast: The contrast between text and background should be sufficient so that users can easily read the text.

The 3 ranks of
Website Accessibility

Rank AA includes all Rank A recommendations plus additional recommendations to improve accessibility. Some examples of rank AA recommendations include:

Subtitles: If there is video content on a website, it should be captioned to make it accessible to hearing impaired users.
Keyboard operability: all functions on the website should also be operable with the keyboard so that users who cannot use a mouse can navigate the website easily.
Text coloring: The coloring of texts should be designed so that they can be easily read by users with color vision impairments.

The 3 ranks of
Website Accessibility

Rank AAA includes all recommendations from Ranks A and AA, plus additional recommendations to achieve the highest level of accessibility. Some examples of recommendations at Rank AAA are:

Sign language: if there is video content on a website, it should also be available in sign language to make it accessible to deaf users.
Text resizing: all text should be easily enlarged or reduced to make it easier for users with visual impairments to read.
Error tolerance: A website should be designed in such a way that if errors occur, they are clearly indicated and a solution is provided. In the best case, however, potential errors should be prevented in advance.

Rank AAA is the highest level of accessibility and ensures that websites are accessible to all users, regardless of their limitations. It is important to note, however, that it is not always possible to meet all the recommendations of rank AAA. However, in such cases, companies should provide alternative ways to ensure the accessibility of their website.

EU law change

Since September 23, 2020, all public bodies and authorities in the European Union must ensure that their websites and mobile apps are accessible. From September 23, 2025, this will also apply to all other companies operating in the EU. The implementation of accessibility thus becomes mandatory and there are severe penalties for non-compliance.

This legal change is a major step toward an inclusive society and helps ensure that people with disabilities can participate in the digital world on an equal footing. Companies that invest in accessibility now will benefit not only by avoiding penalties, but also by having a larger target audience and an improved reputation.

An accessible website is not only accessible to people with disabilities, but also easier to use for people without disabilities. For example, older people or people with temporary limitations (e.g., injury) can benefit from an accessible website. Accessibility also improves search engine optimization, as search engines prefer accessible websites and thus rank them higher.

In addition, accessibility can lead to higher user satisfaction. When a website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, users stay on the site longer. There is also a higher probability that they will return in the future. So, an accessible website can become a valuable tool for customer retention.

Overall, companies can benefit from implementing accessibility by increasing their reach, improving their reputation, increasing user satisfaction, and improving search engine optimization. They also meet their legal obligations and contribute to creating an inclusive society.

To ensure that your website meets accessibility requirements, you should follow the WCAG guidelines. It is advisable to consult experts in the field of accessibility to ensure that all requirements are met. By implementing accessibility, companies can create a better world and gain economic benefits at the same time.

Ein blinder Mann mit dunkler Brille bedient einen Computer, auf dem mehrere Symbole für diverse Beeinträchtigungen abgebildet sind

Do you have questions about accessibility for your website?

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