What does accessibility/web accessibility mean?

Web accessibility is the design and development of websites and digital content so that they are accessible to all people, including those with physical, visual, auditory, and cognitive disabilities. The main goal is to ensure that every user — regardless of skills or limitations — can easily use web content and services.

The main principles of web accessibility are:

• Perceptibility (Perceivable): Web content must be designed in such a way that it can be viewed by all users. This includes text alternatives for images, subtitles for multimedia content, and scalable text without loss of content or functionality.
• Usability (operable): Websites must be designed in such a way that they can also be used by users with disabilities. This includes allowing users who rely on keyboard navigation or voice control to use the website efficiently.
• Understandable: Content and navigation should be clear and understandable. This includes a consistent user interface and ensuring that information is understandable even for users with cognitive disabilities.
• Robustness (robust): Web content must be compatible with various user agents, including assistive technologies. This ensures a consistent user experience regardless of the browser or tool used.

To ensure web accessibility, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed. These define specific success criteria and techniques to make web content barrier-free. WCAG is divided into three levels of compliance: A, AA, and AAA. The level AA is the most frequently sought after and required by law. Web accessibility is not only an ethical obligation, but also required by law. In the USA, for example, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Actthat web content must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Implementing web accessibility helps make websites accessible to all, promoting inclusivity and usability. It ensures that access to digital content is equally possible for people with disabilities.

On the subject of web accessibility and upcoming requirements from 2025, we recommend taking a look at our detailed Blog post about website accessibility 2025 and WCAG AA, which provides further valuable information and practical tips.