Checklist for an accessible website

• Why an accessible website?
• Accessibility is beneficial for everyone
• The legal situation
• Germany in comparison with other countries
• What is the WCAG?
• What are the minimum requirements for an accessible website?
• Interactive Checklist
• Conclusion

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.

However, particularly with regard to people with disabilities, it is important to remember that it is impossible to ensure full and unrestricted access for everyone – absolute 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.

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?

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.

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