The Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG) has been in force in Germany since 28 June 2023. This law expands and tightens the requirements for digital accessibility for websites, mobile applications and digital administrative services. The aim is to guarantee people with disabilities unrestricted access to digital content and thus further improve digital participation.
The law builds on the EU Directive on the accessibility of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies (EU Website Directive) and translates it into German law. In addition to public institutions and authorities, many private website operators are now also obliged to make their digital offerings accessible.
Why accessibility is so important
Digital accessibility means that websites and apps are designed in such a way that they can be used by all people, regardless of their individual limitations. This applies in particular to people with visual or hearing impairments, motor impairments, cognitive impairments or reading difficulties. Accessible websites offer advantages for a wide audience:
Inclusion: They enable people with disabilities to research, shop or use services online independently.
Legal certainty: Compliance with legal requirements protects against warnings and fines.
Improved user experience: A clear structure and simple operation benefit all users, including older people and occasional visitors.
Search engine optimisation (SEO): Accessible pages are easier for search engines to read and often rank better.
Positive image: You demonstrate social responsibility and commitment to diversity.
Who does the Accessibility Improvement Act apply to?
In particular, the BFSG obliges:
- Public bodies such as authorities, municipalities, state and federal institutions
- Public bodies, e.g. public broadcasters
- Private companies with online services for consumers, e.g. online shops, booking platforms, ticket sales
- Websites and apps with a high level of public interest
The exact obligations and deadlines may vary depending on the type of website. In principle, most public bodies must make their websites accessible by the end of 2025 at the latest. Private providers also have specific transition periods depending on the sector.
Visual design
One of the key requirements for accessible websites is a visual design that is easily recognisable for all users. Above all, this includes a sufficiently high colour contrast between texts, buttons and backgrounds so that people with visual impairments can also easily recognise content. In addition, font sizes must be flexibly adaptable and scalable without content becoming illegible or the layout breaking. Coloured markings should never be the only source of information so that people with colour vision deficiency can grasp all important content.
Usability and navigation
Accessible websites must be fully operable via the keyboard to allow unrestricted access for users who cannot use a mouse. A clear and logical navigation structure is essential so that visitors can quickly find their way around. Headings, menus and other navigation aids must be clearly labelled and easily accessible. It is also important that the current position in the menu or form is indicated by visible highlighting so that users always know where they are on the page.
Content and text comprehensibility
The content of an accessible website must be easy to understand for screen readers and other assistive technologies. This means that images, graphics and icons must be provided with meaningful alternative texts that describe their function and meaning. Texts should be clear, comprehensible and formulated as simply as possible, whereby complex technical terms should be explained or avoided. It is also important that headings, lists and tables are correctly semantically labelled to ensure a structured and clear presentation.
Forms and interactive elements
Forms are one of the most important elements of a website, but they must be designed to be particularly accessible. Each input field needs to be clearly and visibly labelled so that users know what information is required. In the event of incorrect entries, clear error messages and assistance must be displayed to make it easier to correct them. Interactive controls such as buttons and links must be clearly recognisable and easily accessible so that all users can interact with the website without any problems.
Multimedia and documents
Videos, audio files and downloadable documents pose particular challenges for accessibility. Video content must be subtitled so that people with hearing impairments can fully understand it. Audio files should contain transcripts where possible. PDF files and other documents must be prepared in such a way that they can be read by screen readers – in other words, they should be provided with a meaningful structure, tags and bookmarks. In addition, alternative formats such as sign language videos or simple text versions can be provided to further increase accessibility.
Declaration of accessibility
According to the legal requirements, it is mandatory to publish a publicly accessible accessibility statement on the website. This declaration informs users transparently about the current accessibility status of the website and indicates which areas may not yet be fully accessible. In addition, contact options must be provided for users to report barriers or request support. This promotes dialogue between website operators and users and ensures the continuous improvement of accessibility.
Our support for your accessible website
The comprehensive implementation of these requirements requires specialised technical knowledge, experience in the field of accessibility and a deep understanding of user needs. We accompany you competently every step of the way:
First, we analyse your existing website to identify barriers and assess the current status. Based on this, we advise you individually and jointly develop a concept that takes your specific requirements into account. We then implement the necessary measures: from adapting the design and integrating technical standards and ARIA roles to optimising texts, forms and multimedia content. We also draw up the legally required accessibility declaration and support your employees in maintaining the website in an accessible way.
As accessibility is an ongoing process, we offer you long-term support and assistance with future adaptations. In this way, we ensure that your website always complies with current legal requirements and remains accessible to all users.
Feel free to contact us for a non-binding consultation or a customised offer. We look forward to making your digital presence accessible and future-proof!