Accessible Web Design: What Companies Need to Know Now

Accessibility is not only an important legal issue, but also an opportunity to optimize your own digital presence and make it accessible to more user groups. In this article, we explain why accessible web design is not only a legal requirement, but can also be seen as a clear competitive advantage for companies.

ACCESSIBILITY IN DIGITAL SPACE: WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

Since September 23, 2020, all websites of German federal government agencies have been required to be barrier-free. This also means that they must provide their essential information on the website and navigation in plain language. Since June 23, 2021, this also applies to mobile applications of authorities.

From June 28, 2025, this requirement will also apply to all online commerce - a development that affects many companies. The new regulations of the Disability Equality Act (BGG) require that all companies operating in the B2C sector design their online offerings in such a way that they are accessible to all people, including those with physical, mental or visual impairments.

WHICH COMPANIES ARE AFFECTED?

All companies that offer products or services in the B2C segment are affected - from manufacturers to retailers to service providers. Micro-enterprises in the service sector that employ fewer than ten people and (!) remain below certain turnover limits (2 million euros per year) or below an annual balance sheet total of 2 million euros are exempt from this regulation.

SIMPLE LANGUAGE VS. EASY LANGUAGE: THE KEY DIFFERENCE

An additional aspect of accessibility is the use of easy language . While simple language primarily avoids complex technical terms, easy language goes a few steps further and also takes into account people with disabilities such as people with intellectual challenges, people who learn German as a foreign language or people with other learning difficulties. Easy language follows clear rules:

• Positive wording: Negative wording is avoided to minimize misunderstandings.

• Short sentences: Sentences are simple and clearly structured and should not be longer than one line. A new sentence must always start on a new line.

• Compound words: Long or compound words are visually separated with either a dot in the middle or a hyphen. Example: Football Club instead of Football Club. This is intended to visualize the pronunciation or emphasis.

• Avoidance of foreign words: Foreign language terms are avoided to increase readability.

• Visual support: Pictures and illustrations help to explain the text and make it understandable.

• Increased readability:

  • A larger font than in "normal language" is required.

  • A clear contrast (dark font on a light, single-colored background) is required.

  • Make sure that the line spacing is sufficiently large (high line spacing!).

  • A maximum of two different fonts may be used.

  • Headings and important information in the body text should be highlighted.

• Acceptance by control bodies: The easy language must be checked and approved by a control body before it is used on the website, for example. The text is then tested on the target group to ensure that it is understood without restrictions.

All of these requirements affect the overall visual appearance and structure of a communication medium. This also means that design in plain language requires significantly more space.

ACCESSIBLE WEB DESIGN WITH HCG CORPORATE DESIGNS

As a Wix partner, we have been offering web design solutions that have met accessibility requirements for several years. Wix Studio offers numerous technical tools that ensure that a website can be used easily with screen readers and without a mouse (i.e. just with the keyboard). This means that accessible web design has been standard at HCG corporate designs for years.

"Another positive aspect of our accessible websites that we create with Wix Studio is that Google is paying more attention to accessibility and is pushing accessible websites further up the rankings."

DESIGN RESEARCH AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

In practice, implementing accessibility for websites means not only taking technical specifications into account, but also incorporating design research. An interesting finding from this research concerns the use of Antiqua fonts (serif fonts) compared to Grotesque fonts (sans serif fonts).

Because: Despite the legal requirement to use clear fonts (ideally without serifs), research prior to the legislation proved that serif fonts are easier to read for most users - and not just in the test group (disabled people)! Surprisingly, this aspect was not taken into account in the standards. There is clearly a gap between theory and practice here. A somewhat amusing aspect that we were able to learn about in a training course lasting several weeks at the Munich Typographic Society .

Another noteworthy point is that gender is not used in Easy Language. The language should remain as simple and understandable as possible, and the focus is on the clarity of the message.

WHY YOU SHOULD ACT NOW

From June 28, 2025, companies will have to ensure that their online commerce is accessible. It is therefore advisable to start implementing accessibility now. While the legislation is unlikely to impose harsh penalties for the time being, companies should prepare for the fact that their websites could be subject to strict controls in the future. Adapting early will ensure that you not only meet legal requirements, but also improve the user experience for everyone (including those without disabilities).

The benefits for your company:

• Increased reach: An accessible website appeals to a wider audience – not just people with disabilities, but also people who prefer clear and simple communication.

• Improved user experience: A user-friendly design benefits all users and promotes customer satisfaction.

• Better Google ranking: Google rates the increased reach and the technical implementation of accessibility (screen reader compatibility, etc.) positively, which in turn has a positive effect on the Google ranking of a website.

• Legal protection: By complying with legal requirements, you protect yourself from possible legal problems and penalties.

CONCLUSION: ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Designing accessible websites is not only a legal obligation, but also an opportunity to improve your own digital presence and offer a more inclusive user experience. With Wix Studio, we have a powerful tool at our disposal that helps our customers launch accessible websites that meet current requirements. If you integrate the principles of easy language and accessibility into your design, not only people with disabilities benefit, but also your entire user groups. It is worth focusing on this topic early on - because an accessible website is a website for everyone.