With the Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), accessibility will be mandatory in many areas starting June 28, 2025. The law implements the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and requires that hardware and software comply with accessibility standards. Micro-enterprises are partially exempt, but violations may lead to market bans for products and services.
In the following article, learn more about creating accessible websites with HubSpot, tips and tricks from our experts, and how to implement them in the HubSpot CMS.
Digital accessibility is becoming increasingly important today and goes beyond just designing for people with disabilities; it also includes groups like older adults. For example, a study by the ZAV shows that in Germany alone, half of the population wears glasses, which means they are already limited in terms of "vision."
An accessible website is one that can be used by all people, regardless of their individual abilities, disabilities, or technical limitations. This is made possible in practice when there is a high level of so-called web accessibility.
Starting June 28, 2025, accessibility will be mandatory in many areas under the Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG). The law implements the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and requires that all hardware and software must be accessible to people with disabilities. Companies must comply with accessibility requirements and adhere to the state of the art. Micro-enterprises are partially exempt. In case of violations, authorities can remove products or services from the market. (Source: BFSG, https://www.barrierefreiheit-dienstekonsolidierung.bund.de/Webs/PB/DE/gesetze-und-richtlinien/barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz/barrierefreiheitsstaerkungsgesetz-node.html, 19.12.2023)
Get advice and briefed by our experts, and receive support in implementing the law on your website.
Below, we list some common issues we encounter in our everyday work and on the websites of our clients, so that you can avoid and minimize these barriers. Wealso highlight the potential impact these limitations might have on potential website users.
Texts that are too technical, lengthy, or complicated can pose a barrier for people with cognitive impairments or limited language skills. Clear and simple content is essential for effective access to information. Additionally, readability also impacts SEO ranking.
Images without alternative text are inaccessible to users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers. Without descriptive text, these users cannot access information about the image content, which is particularly problematic when images convey essential information. Alt attributes also have SEO relevance.
A navigation system that is confusing or lacks logical structure presents a significant barrier for people with cognitive impairments or users who rely on screen readers. They may struggle to find their way around the website or quickly locate relevant information.
Texts that barely contrast with the background are difficult to read for people with visual impairments, such as color blindness, and also hard to read during bright sunlight in the summer. Poor readability can result in important content being overlooked.
Videos or audio files that play automatically can confuse or overwhelm users with cognitive impairments or hearing disabilities. They also make it harder to use screen readers.
Some users who cannot operate a mouse rely solely on keyboard navigation. If interactive elements like buttons or links are not accessible via keyboard, they become unusable for these individuals.
Videos or audio files that play automatically can confuse or overwhelm users with cognitive impairments or hearing disabilities. They also make it harder to use screen readers.
Prof. Dr. Erdmuthe Meyer zu Bexten
State Commissioner for Accessible IT and Digital Participation
To make a website accessible, there are the so-called WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
The WCAG standardizes accessibility and thus accessibility on an international level, providing recommendations to ensure that websites and digital applications are accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. The WCAG are divided into four principles and span several dozen pages
PerceivabilityContent must be perceivable for all users. |
OperabilityWebsites must be easy to use for everyone. |
UnderstandabilityInformation and user interfaces should be easy to understand for all users. |
RobustnessContent must function reliably and be supported by various technologies. |
We are happy to support you in the implementation.
Creating Accessible Forms
Forms in HubSpot can be equipped with accessibility features. Use descriptive labels, clear placeholder text, and logical tab orders. Especially in custom solutions, purely visual cues, such as colors to indicate required fields, should be avoided. Instead, clarifying text or symbols can be added.
Images and videos should always be provided with alternative text that clearly describes their content. HubSpot offers the option to easily add ALT texts and provide videos with subtitles or transcripts. This improves accessibility for users with visual or hearing impairments.
Intuitive and clear navigation is essential. Use HubSpot's features to create clear and logical menus that are easy to navigate using a keyboard or screen readers. Breadcrumb navigation and a well-structured page hierarchy help users find information more easily.
As more users rely on mobile devices, it's crucial to design for accessibility on smaller screens. HubSpot offers responsive designs and testing tools to ensure all content is accessible on mobile devices. This not only improves accessibility but can also positively impact search engine rankings.
In addition to the points already mentioned, there are further tips to keep in mind when creating an accessible website.
Ensure that the design of your website or redesign meets the WCAG criteria from the outset. You can include this in your project requirements. Alternatively, you can choose pre-built themes and templates that may already meet these criteria.
A clear structure with logically organized headings (H1, H2, H3, ...) enhances readability and accessibility. HubSpot allows you to organize content hierarchically in the editor. For example, if you use a module developed by kkvision with a free heading tag selection, ensure that an H1 is used only once on the page and that the heading structure is consistent throughout the entire site.
Additionally, make sure to use correct HTML to make the content understandable for screen readers. This also optimizes the SEO performance of your website.
The color contrast between text and background should meet WCAG requirements to ensure readability for people with visual impairments. HubSpot offers color tools that assist in selecting accessible color schemes. Additionally, tools like Adobe Color can be used for color selection and accessibility. According to WCAG, the contrast ratio should not be below 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Continuous accessibility checks are crucial to ensure compliance with legal requirements and standards. Use tools like HubSpot's performance and SEO reports to test compliance. Regular checks are essential, as guidelines frequently change, and there are always additional ways to bring the website as close as possible to 100% accessibility.
Ongoing accessibility assessments are key to meeting legal requirements and standards. Utilize tools such as HubSpot's performance and SEO reports to test compliance. Regularity is critical, as guidelines evolve, and there are numerous ways to make the website as accessible as possible.
Email Manuel Staub: mstaub@kkvision.de
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