Accessible Website: The Practical Checklist to Get Started

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one billion people worldwide live with a disability. In the European Union alone, this number amounts to 80 million people. In addition to physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities, sensory impairments such as visual and hearing impairments are also included. In 2015, around 217 million people worldwide suffered from moderate to severe visual impairments, and this number is expected to more than double by 2050. The need for improved accessibility and better access for all people is already enormous and will continue to grow in the future.

With the Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), Germany is implementing the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882). While previously, only public entities were required under the Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and ensure their digital platforms were accessible, the BFSG expands this obligation to include private companies as well.

This marks a significant step forward in ensuring accessibility for everyone. The BFSG will come into effect on June 28, 2025, but it is already worthwhile to invest in improving accessibility today. After all, accessibility benefits everyone—not just people with disabilities or functional limitations.

As our society continues to age, the need for accessibility will only increase. Companies that offer accessible services will not only tap into larger markets and gain competitive advantages but also position themselves well for the future. They will soon have to compete with companies that are legally required to provide accessible services, many of which will bring innovative accessible solutions to the market.

In the following, we’d like to support you with practical tips and guidelines for implementing the WCAG to make your website more accessible for everyone.
Don’t worry – you can do this. There are now many helpful and easy-to-use tools available that allow you to improve your website’s accessibility step by step.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a good first point of reference. These rules define how websites can be designed to be accessible so that they can be used by all people, including those with disabilities. They provide instructions on how to design text, images, videos and more so that they are understandable and usable for everyone. There are three levels of conformance within the WCAG: Level A, which covers basic accessibility requirements, Level AA, which is the standard for legal requirements and ensures greater usability, and Level AAA, which meets the strictest criteria for maximum accessibility. 

According to the WCAG, accessible websites are based on four principles. With the following tips, you can implement these in a targeted manner and make your website more inclusive and accessible.

Finally, we would like to remind you to provide an accessibility statement and contact information for feedback on your website.

Please note: This article does not replace a comprehensive accessibility audit and does not guarantee legal compliance. It is intended as a starting point, highlighting key principles and the most common issues to watch out for when making digital content accessible.