Accessibility- & Usability-Test
The german Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG) comes into force on June 28, 2025. Is your website accessible? With a comprehensive accessibility check, we can help you find out and take action - from as little as €2,500.
Digital accessibility is required by law
With the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG) coming into effect in June 2025, accessibility will also become mandatory for private companies.
The international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define the standards for digital accessibility and serve as a central guideline for their implementation. The two laws, BFSG and BITV, which define the requirements for accessibility, are based on the WCAG standards. Accessibility tests are therefore also carried out in accordance with these standards. The two laws that define accessibility requirements – BFSG and BITV – are based on WCAG standards. As a result, accessibility testing is also conducted according to these standards.
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Our solution for you
Our Focus
- Accessibility: We ensure that your digital application meets accessibility requirements and is usable for all user groups.
- Usability: We test the user-friendliness of your website to optimize its usability and create a positive user experience.
- Detailed analysis: You will receive a clear report with improvement suggestions and concrete measures for optimization.
- Implementation upon request: We are happy to support you in implementing the recommended measures to sustainably enhance accessibility and usability.
Customized service package:
- Analysis of your website for WCAG compliance at a specified level (AA or AAA).
- Detailed audit with concrete recommendations to improve accessibility and usability.
- Consultation on the prioritized implementation of necessary adjustments.
- Development of an action plan tailored to your technical requirements.
How we test your website
To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your website’s accessibility and usability, we assess various essential metrics to determine their compliance with WCAG standards at the AA/AAA level.
Our approach:
Accessibility Which accessibility metrics are tested?
Here is a selection of the metrics tested to ensure compliance with WCAG standards at a specified level. The tested metrics vary depending on individual requirements and can be expanded as needed.
- Alt text: Are alternative texts available and meaningful for images and non-text content?
- Alt text quality: Are the alt texts clear and helpful?
- Contrast ratios: Is the contrast sufficient for good readability?
- Color-blind friendliness: Are contents understandable without relying on color distinctions?
- Readability at magnification: Does the site remain functional at 200% and 400% zoom?
- Accessibility of embedded media: Are captions, audio descriptions, and alternative texts available for videos and images?
- Keyboard navigation: Can the site be fully used without a mouse?
- Skip links: Are there jump links (e.g., “Skip to content”) to facilitate navigation for screen reader and keyboard users?
- Focus indicators: Are focus indicators visible for all interactive elements – useful for keyboard users?
- Animations: Can animations be disabled or adjusted?
- Automated content and updates: Are dynamic content elements (pop-ups, live chat, error messages) correctly recognized by screen readers?
- Time limits: Can time limits be disabled or adjusted?
- Plain language: Is clear language used without technical jargon?
- Language attribute (lang attribute): Is the primary language correctly set in the HTML so that screen readers recognize it properly?
- Forms: Are all forms properly labeled and understandable for screen readers? Are there meaningful error messages and helpful instructions?
- Error suggestions: Are helpful error suggestions provided to guide users more effectively?
- ARIA roles & semantic structure: Are ARIA roles correctly set to support assistive technologies?
- Structure & navigation logic: Is there a clear structure with headings and forms optimized for screen reader users?
Usability Which usability metrics are tested?
- Navigation: Is the navigation consistent across all pages and intuitively understandable?
- Consistent UI elements: Are buttons, links, and other interactive elements designed and labeled uniformly?
- Load time and performance: Is the website fast enough, especially for users with slow internet connections or mobile devices?
- Mobile usability: Are buttons large enough and easy to tap? Do touch gestures function properly?
- Expectation conformity: Do interactions meet user expectations (e.g., search function, buttons, navigation)?
- Error tolerance: Can users easily correct form inputs (e.g., auto-corrections or undo options)?
- Error suggestions: Are there meaningful prompts to help users when they enter incorrect information?
makandra Blog Accessibility at a glance: More information on the topic
Our clients Accessibility success stories
Frequently asked questions FAQ Accessibility
Accessibility ensures that digital content, products, and services are usable by everyone—regardless of physical or cognitive limitations. This includes people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments, as well as older adults or those with temporary disabilities.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) from the W3C define accessibility requirements based on four principles:
- Perceivability (e.g., alt text, high contrast)
- Operability (e.g., keyboard navigation, focus indicators)
- Understandability (e.g., plain language, consistent navigation)
- Robustness (e.g., screen reader compatibility)
Learn more in our blog post on the fundamentals of accessibility.
No, not for all. Accessibility is required for:
- Public institutions (according to BITV 2.0)
- Companies covered by the BFSG (e.g., online shops, financial service providers)
Exceptions: Private websites and small businesses are currently not required to comply but still benefit from better usability and a broader reach.
To determine whether the BFSG applies to your private business or if you qualify as an exception/small business, read our blog post on BFSG compliance and use the integrated decision guide.
- Expanded audience: More users can access your website, including people with disabilities and older individuals.
- Improved SEO: Accessible websites are often better optimized for search engines.
- Legal security: Avoid lawsuits and penalties by meeting legal requirements.
- Better usability: Simple navigation and clear content benefit all users.
- Positive brand perception: Companies demonstrate social responsibility and inclusion.
Companies that fail to comply with the BFSG may face:
- Lawsuits and warnings from consumer protection organizations or affected individuals
- Fines of up to €100,000 for non-compliance
- Reputational damage due to negative press and customer complaints
- In the worst case: Forced discontinuation of the service
Frequently asked questions FAQ Accessibility Testing
A WCAG test evaluates whether a website or digital application complies with WCAG standards at a specified conformance level (A, AA, AAA).
The test typically combines automated and manual testing methods.
Automated testing tools help identify basic accessibility barriers quickly. Key tools include:
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
- axe-core (Browser extension for developers)
- Lighthouse (Google tool for performance and accessibility testing)
- Pa11y (Open-source tool for automated WCAG testing)
- Color Contrast Analyzer (Checks contrast ratios)
However, less than 50% of WCAG criteria can be tested automatically.
Automated tools detect only 20–50% of accessibility issues. Manual testing is essential for:
- Alt text (Are they meaningful and descriptive?)
- Structure and readability (Is navigation logical?)
- Keyboard operability (Can all functions be used without a mouse?)
- Screen reader compatibility (Are all contents read aloud correctly?)
- Interactive elements (Are form fields clearly labeled and understandable?)
