Digital Accessibility on Websites – Everything You Need to Know About the New Regulations

Barrier-Free Strengthening Act: Removing Barriers in the Digital Space

Starting <strong>June 28, 2025</strong>, the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act will also apply to non-public bodies, such as companies, which must design their websites to be barrier-free. This law serves to enable equal access to the World Wide Web for all people. The following aspects should be considered during implementation:

Contrast and Colors

Use colors and contrasts that are clearly distinguishable and suitable for users with color blindness.

Navigation

Ensure your navigation is simple and intuitive and also works for users with limited motor skills.

Images and Graphics

Prepare alternative descriptions for images and graphics so that users with visual impairments or screen readers can also understand the content.

Videos and Audios

Add subtitles and transcripts for audiovisual content to make it accessible to users with hearing impairments.

By considering these points, companies can design their websites to be barrier-free and adapt to the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act. The goal is for all people, regardless of their abilities, to be able to surf the World Wide Web.

The Importance of Accessibility on the Internet

The fictional scenario illustrates how frustrating it can be when one encounters barriers on the internet. The <strong>Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG)</strong>, which comes into effect on <strong>June 28, 2025</strong>, aims to make the digital space barrier-free and enable access for all users.

For people with disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, cognitive limitations, or older people, surfing the internet can often be exhausting and frustrating. Without appropriate measures, they may miss important information or be unable to access services.

Through the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act, companies are obligated to design their websites to be barrier-free, thereby enabling easy access for all users. This includes aspects such as high-contrast and scalable font, intuitive navigation, alternative descriptions for images and graphics, as well as subtitles and transcripts for audiovisual content.

By complying with this law, we can work together to ensure that the internet is accessible and usable for all people, and that no users are faced with a "Klingon" website.

Definition and Goal of Accessibility

<strong>Accessibility</strong> means that all people, regardless of their abilities and limitations, can participate equally in social life. This also applies to the digital space. The <strong>Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG)</strong> and the <strong>German Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (BGG)</strong> emphasize the importance of designing the digital space so that people with various limitations – technical, physical, mental, or psychological impairments – can use web content.

The goal of accessibility on the internet is to enable all individuals to participate equally in web content, regardless of permanent or temporary limitations in seeing, hearing, moving, or processing information. Situational barriers should also be considered.

By designing their websites to be barrier-free, companies contribute to an <strong>inclusive society</strong> in which all people are equal regardless of their abilities.

Forms of Barriers on the Internet

Barriers on the internet can take various forms and affect people with different limitations:

Technical Barriers

Websites must be compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers so that people with visual impairments can perceive the content.

Sensory Barriers

These include permanent blindness, deafness, as well as temporary impairments such as ear or eye inflammation, or situational challenges like poor lighting conditions.

Cognitive Barriers

In addition to dyslexia, this also affects people with concussions or those who have to work in noisy environments without headphones.

Motor Barriers

These barriers can range from permanent impairments like the loss of an arm to temporary limitations such as a hand injury or situational circumstances like carrying a child.

When designing websites, all these barriers should be considered to enable barrier-free access for all users.

The Relevance of Accessibility on the Internet

The importance of accessibility in the digital space is clearly demonstrated by the following figures: In Germany, almost <strong>10% (around 8 million people)</strong> have a severely disabled person's pass, about <strong>22% (around 18 million people)</strong> are of retirement age with partially increasing age-related impairments, and over <strong>7% (around 6 million people)</strong> live with a reading and writing disability.

These numbers show that accessibility is not a niche concern but affects millions of people. The removal of barriers on the internet is important to enable <strong>equal access</strong> for all users, regardless of permanent or temporary impairments.

A barrier-free web is not only important for people with disabilities but also <strong>improves usability and intuitiveness for all users</strong>. By advocating for accessibility on the internet, we contribute to an inclusive society and enable every person to surf the World Wide Web easily, at any time, and in any situation.

Legal Framework for Accessibility on the Internet

In Germany and Europe, a number of laws and guidelines have been established in recent years that regulate and promote accessibility in the digital space:

Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act (BGG) and Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0)

Public bodies have had to design their websites to be barrier-free since 2019 and apps since 2021, according to BITV 2.0. BITV 2.0 is based on the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG) and European Standard EN 301 549

Starting 2025, all companies offering electronic business transactions must make their services barrier-free. The BFSG refers to the European Standard EN 301 549, which supports the "European Accessibility Act (EAA)" to create a uniform standard for the accessibility of services and products on the web.

These legal frameworks make it clear that accessibility in the digital space is not only desirable but a <strong>duty</strong> to support all users and promote an inclusive society.

Impacts of the BFSG Law on Companies from 2025

From <strong>June 28, 2025</strong>, companies must ensure that their products and services placed on the market after this date comply with the requirements of the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG). This affects, among others:

• Online trade (web shops)
• Passenger transport
• Telecommunications
• Banking services
• Relevant products such as computers, smartphones, telephones, TV sets, and cash/ticket machines

Even if your company does not fall into these categories, you must still pay attention to accessibility, as almost every website contains elements like <strong>contact forms or appointment booking masks</strong>. The implementation of accessibility must follow the <strong>WCAG standards</strong>

Companies should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the BFSG early on and adjust their websites, products, and services accordingly to avoid legal consequences and ensure a barrier-free user experience for all customers.

Creating Accessible Websites – Guide

For the unrestricted use of websites, the internationally recognized <strong>Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0</strong> of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) should be considered. These guidelines include various aspects to reduce barriers on the internet:

Perception

Ensure support for <strong>screen readers, scripts for audio and video content, and alternative texts for images</strong> (alt-tags).

Understandability

Keep content <strong>simple and clearly structured</strong>, avoid complex jargon and unexplained abbreviations.

Interaction

Pay attention to <strong>precisely selectable link placement, high-contrast color design, and mobile adaptation</strong> (responsiveness).

Navigation

Enable <strong>accessible navigation</strong> for users with small displays or screen magnification through adapted navigation paths and a clear website structure.

Operation

<strong>Place website elements close together</strong> to minimize the distance between the reading column and the input field.

In addition, you should provide the option to <strong>report barriers</strong> on your website, as well as an <strong>"Accessibility Statement"</strong> that describes how you ensure accessibility and which website areas still need to be adjusted.

Exceptions and Consequences for Non-Compliance with Accessibility

There are certain <strong>exceptions</strong> to the obligation for accessibility:

• Private and purely business-to-business (B2B) offerings
• Small companies with fewer than ten employees or a balance sheet total of a maximum of two million euros

If a competent authority determines that an online presence is not barrier-free, the following <strong>consequences</strong> may arise:

Request to Remedy the Omission

The authority initially requests the barriers to be remedied.

Cessation of Electronic Business Transactions

If the requirements are not met, the authority can shut down the company's electronic business transactions until the accessibility standards are fulfilled.

Fines

In severe cases, fines of up to a four-figure amount can be imposed.

It is strongly recommended to deal with the accessibility requirements early on to avoid legal consequences and ensure a barrier-free user experience for all customers.

Accessibility as an Opportunity for Companies

While implementing the legal requirements for accessibility represents a challenge, it also offers unique <strong>opportunities</strong>:

Expansion of Target Group and Reach

Through barrier-free offerings, you reach more potential customers and increase your market presence.

Improved User Experience

Accessibility leads to simpler navigation and clearly structured content, which improves the overall user experience.

Positive Impact on Brand Image

Implementing accessibility signals a strong commitment to social responsibility and inclusion, which positively influences the brand image.

Better Search Engine Optimization

Search engines like Google reward barrier-free websites, which impacts your technical SEO and leads to higher visibility and better rankings.

Support from weedesign

weedesign recognizes the importance of accessibility as an integral part of a comprehensive digital strategy. Our services include:

Accessibility Audits

We evaluate your website for accessibility and identify potential for improvement.

Consultation and Strategy Development

We develop a customized strategy for implementing accessibility on your website.

Implementation and Optimization

Our expert team for web development, UX/UI design, and content strategy works together to ensure your website meets the highest accessibility standards.

Significance of Accessibility for the Future of the Internet

Today's decisions shape the digital landscape of tomorrow. It is time for companies to take the initiative and advocate for a barrier-free and inclusive digital world. This includes considering the needs of all users and developing suitable solutions. Investments in accessibility are <strong>investments in the future of one's own company and society as a whole</strong>

weedesign supports you as a partner for an inclusive digital presence:

• Accessibility Audits
• Strategic Consultation
• Technical Implementation

Our goal is not only to adapt your website to current standards but to make it a <strong>model example of digital inclusion and social responsibility</strong>. Furthermore, by providing an improved user experience for a broader target group, you can <strong>increase your reach and strengthen your brand image</strong>.

Overcoming the Challenges: Successful Implementation of the Accessible Website in the Age of the Barrier-Free Strengthening Act - Concluding Observations

In summary, the new <strong>Barrier-Free Strengthening Act (BFSG)</strong> represents an important further development for a barrier-free internet. The new requirements should be viewed as an <strong>opportunity</strong> to make one's own website accessible to all users and simultaneously gain legal certainty. Adhere to the given guidelines, use the presented tools and tips, and contribute to an <strong>inclusive digital world</strong> where everyone can experience equal participation.