Checklist for an accessible website

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Ein Piktrogramm einer dunkelgrünen Tastatur mit einem Button für Barrierefreiheit.

Why an accessible website?

The purpose of accessibility on the web is to make web content as accessible as possible to as many people as possible.

As an agency for accessible websites,we know that is easier said than done. Since the range of physical and cognitive limitations that people live with is so broad, the list of measures that should take these limitations into account in web design is likewise long.

To offer you an overview of the applicable requirements for an accessible website we have put together an interactive checklist that will enable you to check your website for accessibility issues and identify any areas that need to be addressed.

To the checklist

The relevant aspects of accessibility include not only matters of design and programming (from text size to image contrast), but also content: whether that’s content in German sign language, easy read or logical structure.

Accessibility is beneficial for everyone

In Germany, there are 7.8 million people living with severe disabilities. Meanwhile, according to tagesschau.de, around 17 million people in Germany have difficulty understanding complex texts.

Moreover, people whose native language is not German can benefit from simple language and a clear structure just as much as native speakers with a lower level of education, as well as people in general who prefer their web content to be simple and easy to understand.

Ein grünes Piktogram eines Auges auf rotem Grund neben einem gelben auf dunkelblauem Grund
An example of an easily avoidable accessibility issue: The information on the left-hand side is difficult or impossible to access for people with red-green color deficiency.

However, particularly with regard to people with disabilities, it is important to remember that it is impossible to ensure full and unrestricted access for everyoneabsolute accessibility to the Internet can never be achieved, it is only ever an aspiration.

Accessibility on the Internet is therefore a matter of ethics. But it is also one of the law.

The legal situation: Accessibility soon mandatory for all companies

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been legally binding in Germany since 2009. Included therein is the fundamental right of people with disabilities to access information.

In addition, an EU Directive regarding the accessibility of public sector websites has been in place since 2016. In principle, it has two objectives:

  1. The access to information should be made easier for all citizens, especially people with disabilities.
  2. The standardization of measures across the EU should enable companies and software developers to operate more easily and with less risk across the entire common market.

Websites in Germany that are more than 50% funded by the federal government are already legally required to be accessible (see the FAQ of the German Federal Accessibility Agency).

In July 2021, the German government also introduced the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz BFSG. This means that by 2025, accessible websites will be mandatory for all companies except micro-enterprises.

In order to be considered accessible, federal websites must comply with the Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung BITV 2.0 as well as the European Standard EN 301 549 V1.1.2. Private companies, on the other hand, are subject to the requirements of the BFSG. These are essentially not all that different from those of BITV 2.0. However, the BITV contains 38 additional criteria that are NOT included in the BFSG.

Sounds complicated? We agree. That is why we have compiled a checklist with specific requirements!

Germany in comparison with other countries

The BFSG puts Germany, for instance, one step ahead of the USA. Although websites of public authorities and educational institutions are required to be accessible by the WCAG, there are currently no compulsory regulations for the private sector.

For this reason, the Americans with Disabilities Act ADA of 1990 is used as grounds for numerous lawsuits regarding accessible digital services. According to a study by UsableNet, the number of lawsuits rose to over 4,000 in 2021, up 15% compared to the previous year, with websites representing the main target at 94%.

A similar situation can be found in the UK: Websites of public institutions have had to be accessible since September 2020, while providers of goods and services can be sued under the Equality Act 2010, which prohibits them from discriminating against people with disabilities.

According to the W3C, a national recommended standard also came into force in China in March 2020, which is intended to enable accessibility on the web in compliance with the WCAG.

Whether in Germany and Europe, the USA, the UK, or China – web accessibility is judged worldwide on the basis of the WCAG. Those who follow these guidelines are well-positioned in practically every market.

Eine Justizia-Statur hält eine Waage.
The legal situation can be confusing. But it is important to be familiar with the WCAG.

What is the WCAG?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is an internationally recognized standard for the accessibility of web content. Its comprehensive guidelines are structured according to the following basic principles, which should be taken into account in the design and programming of a website:

  1. Perceivable: Describes mainly aspects of design such as layout and legibility of text, but also text alternatives to image, video and audio content.
  2. Operable: Requires features to be operable via the keyboard, as well as navigation and search aids.
  3. Understandable: Addresses issues of content phrasing, but also some design aspects, such as having a predictable, “earned” design.
  4. Robust: Requires, among others, robust programming that ensures compatibility of the website with a wide range of browsers and assistive software such as screen readers.

What are the minimum requirements for an accessible website?

The more accessible a website is, the more people can use it, especially those who already have to deal with many everyday limitations.

For that reason, we do not advocate for a minimal approach here – everyone has the same right to access information.

However, it is also true that the implementation of accessibility solutions involves considerable effort and significant costs that not every company can easily afford.

In addition, the more extensive or complex a website is, the more effort it can take to ensure a certain level of accessibility.

But just how accessible should a website be?

Our recommendation: In order to be legally compliant with BITV 2.0 and the BFSG, a website needs to adhere to WCAG conformance level AA.

Each of the WCAG guidelines is rated with one of the three conformance levels A, AA or AAA, with level A being the minimum. The highest possible level of accessibility is achieved with the AAA guidelines.

European websites of public institutions must meet at least conformance level AA. This requires compliance with all WCAG level A and AA guidelines.

This is the standard on which we have based the 40 questions from our checklist. Think of it as a guide to help you understand the current status of your website. For a professional assessment, we recommend a service provider that can test your website in practice using a combination of automated software and staff with disabilities.

Interactive Checklist: Is My Website Accessible?

  1. Is there an explanation of the main website content in easy read and German sign language?
  2. Is there an accessibility statement that can be accessed from any page?
  3. Does the accessibility statement provide an explanation of its content in easy read and German sign language?
  4. Is there a button or a contact form for reporting accessibility issues?
  5. Do all images have alternative texts?
The WordPress backend allows you to add informative alternative texts to images.
  1. Is the information from audio and video content also available in text form (e.g., in the form of a transcript for a podcast or a description for an animation)?
  2. Does the video content have closed captions or overlay subtitles (including the description of relevant sounds)?
  3. Does the video content have audio descriptions?
  4. Are the pages of the website logically organized and can they be found on a sitemap?
  5. Is the content of individual pages logically structured and is it read in the correct order by assistive software (screen reader)?
  6. Are important elements that can be experienced audibly or visually also indicated in text form?
  1. Are there other information vehicles than the use of color?
  2. Does it have controls for pausing or adjusting the volume of automatically playing audio or video content?
  3. Does the text stand out from the background with a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1?
Das Piktogramm eines Auges in niedrigem Kontrastverhältnis, neben einem im hohen Kontrastverhältnis
A contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 ensures good legibility.
  1. Can the text size of the website header be increased to at least 200% (including the text in input fields)?
  2. Is actual text used instead of images of text to convey information?
  3. Can the website, including all of its features, be navigated and used by means of a keyboard?
  4. Is it possible to return from any menu or window using only the keyboard?
  5. Can time restrictions be turned off or extended?
  6. Can moving or scrolling content be stopped or paused?
  7. Is the use of blinking or flickering content (more than 3 light-dark sequences within one second) avoided?
  8. Can blocks of repeating content (search forms, contact forms, etc.) be skipped in order to go directly to the actual content of a page?
  9. Do the pages have titles that clearly describe their purpose or content?
  10. Are interactive elements arranged in a logical order?
  11. Do links have descriptions that explain their purpose?
  12. Are the links relevant in terms of content and do they provide further information?
  13. Can the individual pages of the website be accessed in more than one way?
  1. Do headlines clearly describe the content that follows?
  2. Are the elements selected by keyboard navigation visually highlighted?
  3. Is the language of each page machine-recognizable?
  4. Is the number of links or buttons that open in new tabs or windows reduced to a minimum?
  5. Are external links to unsecured pages marked with a warning?
  6. Do the pages of the website have consistent navigation?
  7. Do built-in control elements have consistent functionality?
  8. Are input errors or incomplete information properly indicated?
  9. Are input fields named in an understandable way?
  10. Are users given the opportunity to double-check critical entries (e.g., in online stores)?
  11. Is there a time window given to revise or cancel the action for legally binding interactions (e.g., online purchases)?
  12. Is the source code error-free and can it be validated in a parser?
  13. Are interactive elements tagged with aria-labels?

ERGEBNIS 01

Your website fulfills 0 out of 40 requirements. There is much to be done. It might be easier and cheaper to rebuild the website from scratch. We will gladly advise you!

To the contact form


Hinweis: Dieser Test dient der Selbstüberprüfung und hat keine rechtliche Aussagekraft.

ERGEBNIS 02

Your website fulfills [number] out of 40 requirements. You are already on the right track. Do you need help to get to the end of it? We would be happy to be your partner!

To the contact form


Please note: This test is for self-testing purposes and has no legal validity.

ERGEBNIS 03

Your website fulfills [number] out of 40 requirements. An impressive result that certainly took a lot of work! But the finish line is in sight – we can help you reach it!

To the contact form


Please note: This test is for self-testing purposes and has no legal validity.

ERGEBNIS 04

Wow, your website fulfills all of our 40 requirements! This means that you already offer your users a high degree of accessibility. You are welcome to send us a link – we may offer your website as an example of best practice.
If you would like to enhance your website’s accessibility even further, we can help you identify any untapped optimization potential.

To the contact form


Please note: This test is for self-testing purposes and has no legal validity.

Conclusion

Removing accessibility hurdles from an existing website can be a daunting task that is best implemented gradually and purposefully. A web design expert can assess whether it would be worth redesigning and reprogramming the website from scratch. The fact of the matter is: Those who tackle the issue now will be on the safe side when accessibility becomes mandatory for all company websites in 2025.

If you are looking for a partner who can help you make your website more accessible and reach more people, don’t hesitate to get in touch – we are looking forward to your project and we are always ready to provide customized solutions!

Please note: The contents of this website do not constitute legal advice.

Contact

YOUR CONTACT

Max Hertel
Digital Marketing Manager
hertel@svaerm.com
+49 (0)69 9494 5 919-4