The New Digital Accessibility Act: A Future of Inclusion
In this article, we show how the new Digital Accessibility Act (BAfG) is revolutionizing the design as well as the implementation of digital products and what requirements must be met in the future. From the fundamentals of accessibility up to practical tips for implementation, we provide deep insights into the topic.
On June 28, 2025, a groundbreaking EU directive that redefines accessibility in the digital space will come into force. The Digital Accessibility Act (BAfG), which applies the requirements of the EU directive “European Accessibility Act” at national level, will fundamentally change the way companies design their digital products and services. Whether websites, mobile apps, online ticketing systems or communication platforms - the law affects all digital products and services that are sold in the European Single Market.
Why Is the New Law So Important? #
With the “European Accessibility Act”, the European Union is pursuing the goal of standardizing the accessibility of digital products and services across Europe. This is not only to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, but also to increase the availability of such products on the EU internal market. For companies, this means that they will have to adapt their digital products and services in order to comply with the new legal requirements and thus remain competitive in the long term.
The law stipulates that all digital services must meet specified minimum requirements in terms of accessibility. This applies not only to public institutions, but also to private companies that offer digital products and services. Websites, mobile applications, e-commerce platforms and digital documents must be designed in such a way that they can be used by all people, regardless of their individual limitations.
However, experts warn that compliance with the minimum requirements alone will not be enough. [The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)(https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/), the internationally recognized standards for the accessibility of web content, are being continuously further developed. It can therefore be expected that the requirements for digital accessibility will continue to increase in the future. Companies that invest beyond the minimum requirements now will gain a competitive advantage in the long term and avoid having to make improvements in the future.
The fundamentals of digital accessibility #
Accessibility in the digital world means that all people, regardless of physical or mental limitations, must have barrier-free access to digital content and services. To ensure this, websites and digital applications must be designed with various accessibility barriers in mind:
- Visual barriers: For people with visual impairments, websites and applications should be designed so that they can be read by screen readers. Images and illustrations must be provided with alternative text describing their content. In addition, contrasts and font sizes should be adjustable to improve readability.
2 Auditory barriers: Videos and audio files should be provided with subtitles and transcripts so that they can also be used by people with hearing impairments.
3 Movement barriers: Websites must be designed so that they can be operated with keyboards and voice controls. This facilitates use for people with movement impairments.
4 Barriers to understanding/usability: Applications should offer intuitive and easy-to-navigate user interfaces. Features such as voice control, zoom and text-to-speech are particularly important.
5 Barriers due to media/formats: Electronic documents must also be properly structured to enable easy navigation and readability by assistive technologies. This means, for example, that headings, paragraphs and lists should be correctly formatted, or that text is also highlighted as such and not embedded “as an image” so that it can be optimally interpreted by assistive technologies.
For a detailed introduction to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and practical recommendations for designing accessible websites, read our article “7 ways to make your website more accessible”. Here you will find everything you need to know to make your digital content accessible and user-friendly.
Our offer: bitperfect - your partner for digital accessibility #
Meeting the new legal standards for digital accessibility requires not only a deep understanding of the technical aspects, but also careful planning and implementation. This is where bitperfect comes into play - your partner for accessible digital solutions.
At bitperfect, we specialize in helping companies implement legal requirements while clearing the way for a future of optimal web accessibility. Our approach is holistic and includes all aspects of digital accessibility:
Awareness and training: We provide training and workshops to increase awareness of accessibility requirements among developers, designers and content creators. Our goal is to embed the understanding of accessible design and related best practices in your organization.
Tools and technologies: bitperfect uses state-of-the-art tools and technologies to ensure the accessibility of your digital services. We use automated testing tools, screen readers, color scheme testers and other tools to ensure that your products meet the latest standards.
3 Testing and validation: One of the key elements of digital accessibility is testing. We carry out extensive testing to ensure that your digital products are truly accessible to everyone.
4 Individual consulting and customized solutions: Every company is unique, and so are the challenges associated with implementing accessibility. We offer you individual advice and develop customized solutions that are tailored to the specific requirements of your company.
With bitperfect at your side, you can be sure that your digital services comply with the new legal requirements and are also designed for the future. After all, digital accessibility is more than just a legal obligation - it is an investment in the future.
Conclusion #
The Digital Accessibility Act, which comes into force in 2025, will permanently change the digital landscape. Companies that adapt their digital offerings accordingly will not only comply with the legal requirements, but will also benefit from increased user experience and a wider reach. With bitperfect, you have a reliable partner at your side who will accompany you on this journey and help you to make your digital products and services accessible and ready for the future.
Let's shape an inclusive digital future together!
More information and guidelines: