BFSG: Implement a barrier-free website

The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) has been in effect for the covered products and services since June 28, 2025. It is particularly relevant for websites when digital offers are provided to consumers, for example in e-commerce, digital booking channels or certain online services. A barrier-free website is not only a quality feature, but also part of the technical and organizational website requirements for many providers.

Accessibility means that people with different limitations can perceive, use and understand digital content and functions. This includes well-structured content, sufficient contrast, keyboard operation, alternative texts, understandable forms, clear error messages and robust technical implementation. Companies that make their websites barrier-free often also improve user navigation, mobile usability, SEO basics and conversion routes. We support you with the technical testing and implementation of a barrier-free website. Please feel free to contact us.

What does an accessible website mean?

An accessible website is a digital platform designed and developed to be used by all people regardless of their individual abilities or limitations. Web accessibility means that people with disabilities – be it visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor limitations or cognitive impairments – have access to the same information and services as all other users. In order to achieve this, various technical and design measures must be taken. These include using sufficiently high-contrast colors to make text and graphic content easier to recognize and adjusting the font size to improve readability. Furthermore, alternative texts should be provided for images so that they can be captured and read aloud by screen readers. Structuring content using headings and paragraphs also contributes to better orientation. Another important element is navigation. Accessible Websites must be designed in such a way that they can be fully operated without a mouse, i.e. only with the keyboard or other input devices. In addition, videos and audio files should be provided with subtitles or transcripts to make them accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Guidelines and implementation of the law

The Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) has been applicable since June 28, 2025. It implements the European Accessibility Directive into German law and, in addition to certain products, also affects digital services. For websites, it must therefore first be clarified whether the specific offer falls under the regulations and which functions must be implemented barrier-free.

Consequences for non-compliance

Companies and public institutions that do not comply with the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act must expect significant consequences. In addition to the threatened loss of customers and the damage to the image caused by the public perception of a lack of accessibility, the law also provides for legal sanctions. These range from warnings and fines to court orders to catch up on the implementation of accessibility measures. In addition, affected individuals can assert their rights, which can lead to additional legal and financial burdens for the affected organizations. Non-compliance with the law therefore represents not only an ethical but also an economic risk.

Exceptions to the law

The Accessibility Strengthening Act also provides for some exceptions. Small and medium-sized enterprises may be exempt from the strict requirements in certain circumstances if they can demonstrate that the implementation of accessibility measures imposes a disproportionate burden on them. Even if technical or economic reasons make it unreasonable to meet the accessibility requirements, an exception can be granted. However, these exceptions must be well justified and documented, and it is expected that the affected organizations will still make their best efforts to make their digital offerings as accessible as possible. The exemptions are intended to ensure that the law is implemented in a practical manner without placing an undue burden on small businesses.

Benefits for users and companies

The law offers numerous advantages for users and companies. For users, especially for people with disabilities, it means a significant increase in participation and equal opportunities. They gain access to information, services and digital content that may not have been available to them before. This promotes their independence and enables them to actively participate in social life. Compliance with accessibility standards also brings numerous benefits for companies. First, it opens access to a larger target group, which can potentially lead to an expansion of the customer base and thus higher sales. Companies that make their websites accessible also improve the usability for all users, which can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Implementing accessibility requirements also strengthens a company’s image. Companies that promote inclusion and accessibility are perceived as socially responsible and modern organizations, which promotes customer trust and loyalty. Last but not least, early adaptation to legal requirements can also help to minimize legal risks and save costs that could arise from possible sanctions or necessary subsequent adjustments.

Useful tools for implementing accessibility

To implement the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act, various tools and technologies are available to support companies and developers. These tools help to make websites and digital content barrier-free and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Screen reader

Screen readers are software solutions that convert text and elements on a website into spoken language. They enable visually impaired and blind users to access digital content. Well-known screen readers are JAWS, NVDA.

Accessibility tools

These tools analyze websites for accessibility and identify issues and potential for improvement. Examples are WAVE and Silktide Accessibility Checker. These tools scan websites for known barriers and provide recommendations on how to resolve the issues found.

Color analysis tools

Color analysis tools examine the combination of colors on a website to ensure that they have sufficient contrast. This is important for users with visual impairments such as color blindness. Tools like Color Contrast Analyzer and Strong help to ensure the readability and visibility of texts and graphics.

Keyboard navigation tools

These tools test whether a website is fully keyboard navigable, which is particularly important for users with motor disabilities. They help developers ensure that all interactive elements of a website are accessible and usable via the keyboard.

Alt text tools

Tools like Alt Text Tester Check whether images and graphic elements on a website are labeled with alternative texts (alt texts). Alt texts are essential for screen reader users because they provide descriptions of the images.

Subtitle generators

Video and audio content requires subtitles and transcripts to make them accessible to deaf or hard of hearing users. Tools like Amara and YouTube’s subtitles feature help create and embed subtitles into videos. These tools are crucial for implementing an accessible website and help companies meet the requirements of the Accessibility Strengthening Act. By using these tools, companies can ensure that their digital content is accessible to all users, while improving the user experience and engagement of their customers.

Checklist for ensuring website accessibility

Check the uniqueness of the elements

All elements on your website should be clearly and unambiguously named so that they can be easily understood and navigated. This applies in particular to:

• Navigation points
• Buttons
• Forms and form fields
• Headings and subheadings
• Images and videos

Improve complexity and understandability

Make sure information is easy to find and understand. This includes:

• Removing confusing or unnecessary elements
• Clear delineation of elements and sufficient size of buttons and icons
• Sufficient distance between operable elements, especially on smartphones
• Avoiding pop-ups, animated JavaScript elements and difficult-to-control content
• Clear structuring of page content and a logical tab order
• Use of simple language and explanations of technical terms
• Structure of texts using subheadings, lists and tables
• Use plain language

Ensure usability

Your website should be usable in a variety of ways, including with assistive technologies and without a mouse. Check:

• Navigation only with keyboard (Tab, Shift + Tab, Enter, spacebar, arrow keys)
• All interactive elements such as navigation, cookie banners, links and forms
• Avoiding dead ends in navigation
• Use of a screen reader to check the accessibility of all content
• Adding a table of contents for long pages

Check display

Make sure the content is displayed clearly and easily on all devices. This includes:

• Sufficient contrasts and suitable color combinations (avoid red-green)
• Simple, sans serif, easy-to-read fonts, at least 14 pixels in size
• Clearly defined elements without irritating effects such as flashing elements
• Conveying information not just through colors

Use HTML structure and hierarchy correctly

A well-structured HTML 5 markup is important for accessibility:

• Specifying the language in the HTML tag
• Correct labeling of page areas (e.g. <head>, <title>, <body>, <nav>, <main>, <header>, <footer>)
• Logical use of headings (h1, h2, h3)
• Use of lists (ul, ol) and ARIA labels where necessary

Make images, audio and videos accessible

Make sure visual and auditory content is understandable:

• Add descriptive alt attributes to images
• Add additional descriptive text to visual elements
• Provide audio files as transcripts and videos with subtitles

Optimize forms and tools

Forms and tools should be accessible to all users:

• Clear naming of forms and fields including alternative texts
• Short and concise forms with only necessary mandatory fields
• No time limits when entering
• Error information and correction options for input errors

Conclusion

The implementation of the Accessibility Strengthening Act for Websites is not only a legal obligation, but also an opportunity to make the digital world accessible and usable for everyone. An accessible website ensures that people with disabilities have equal access to information and services, which significantly improves their participation in social life. Companies that meet these requirements benefit from a larger audience, improved usability and a strengthened image as a socially responsible and inclusive organization. If you Need support in implementing accessibility requirements, we will be happy to assist you. With our expertise, we can help you make your website barrier-free and thus comply with legal requirements. Together we create an inclusive digital environment that is accessible and usable for all users.