The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are an internationally recognized standard for designing barrier-free websites and digital content. They were developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and provide comprehensive guidelines to ensure that online content is accessible to all people, including people with disabilities.
In Germany, WCAG 2.2, the latest version of the guidelines, from June 2025 as part of the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) in force. This law implements European Directive (EU) 2019/882 and obliges companies and public authorities to make their digital offerings barrier-free.
What is website accessibility?
Web accessibility means that websites and digital content are designed so that they can be used by all people, regardless of physical or mental limitations.
This is crucial to overcome the digital divide and provide all users with equal access to information and services. It is necessary to overcome the digital divide and promote equal opportunities.
People with disabilities, who make up around 15% of the world's population, have the same right of access to information and services as anyone else.
The Four Principles of Accessibility
Perceptibility (Perceivable)
- Information and components of the user interface must be presented in such a way that they can be viewed by all users.
- Text alternatives for images and videos.
- Provide subtitles for multimedia content
- Use adequate contrast between text and background.
usability (operable)
- User interface elements and navigation must be designed in such a way that they can be used by all users.
- Provide keyboard accessibility so that all functions can be used without a mouse.
- Avoid design elements that could trigger seizures or other physical reactions, such as flashing content.
- Ensuring that there is enough time to use content.
Understandable
- Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
- Clearly structured and easy-to-understand texts.
- Provision of assistance and instructions for using the website.
- Consistent navigation and layout to make it easy for users to find their way around.
Robustness (Robust)
- Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide range of user agents, including assistive technologies.
- Using standards-compliant HTML and CSS codes to ensure that content remains accessible across devices and browsers.
- Support for current and future user agents and technologies.
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Accessibility benefits
Implementing accessibility on websites offers a variety of benefits that go far beyond helping people with disabilities. Here are some of the key benefits:
Improved user experience, as barrier-free websites are generally better structured and more clearly designed.
Compliance with legal requirements, as there are laws in many countries that require the accessibility of websites. In Germany, the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) will apply from June 2025. Compliance with these requirements protects companies from legal consequences and potential penalties.
Improved search engine optimization, as barrier-free websites use clear, standards-compliant HTML code that can be better interpreted by search engines.
Increased reach and market potential, as an accessible website can be used by a larger number of people. Companies that take accessibility seriously demonstrate social responsibility and inclusion. This can positively influence the brand image and lead to higher customer satisfaction.
Technical benefits, because a well-structured, barrier-free website is often faster and more powerful because it contains less unnecessary code and is more efficient.
Legal bases
Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG)
The BFSG aims to improve the accessibility of products and services in order to provide equal access for people with disabilities.
The Act applies to all products and services that are placed on the market or provided after June 28, 2025. In particular, it concerns the following areas:
products:
Computers, smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, television sets with Internet access, interactive machines such as cash and ticket machines, and routers.
services:
Telephone and messenger services, banking services, e-commerce and passenger transportation services offered on mobile devices.
Accessibility in the B2B and B2C sector
The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) primarily aims to ensure accessibility for consumers and end users. Products and services that are aimed directly at consumers are therefore primarily affected. In particular, this includes areas such as e-commerce, banking, telecommunications and public transport services, where accessibility has a direct impact on access and use by the general public.
In the B2B sector, i.e. in business transactions between companies, however, the BFSG plays a subordinate role. Since the law is primarily intended to protect the needs and rights of consumers, accessibility for business customers is regulated less heavily. However, that doesn't mean that accessibility is irrelevant in a B2B context. Here, too, barrier-free digital offerings can improve the user experience and ensure accessibility for all employees and business partners.
conclusion
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are essential for creating websites that are accessible to all people. By adhering to the four principles of accessibility — perceptibility, usability, comprehensibility and robustness — websites can be designed in such a way that they can be used by all users, regardless of their individual restrictions.
Web accessibility not only improves user experience and meets legal requirements, but also offers practical benefits such as better search engine optimization and an expanded target group. It is an ethical and economic imperative to make digital content more inclusive and accessible in order to enable all people to participate equally in digital life.
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