Accessible web solutions for greater reach
As of June 28, 2025, an EU directive requires all companies to offer their digital products in an accessible form. In this context, digital accessibility means that all people – including those with disabilities – are able to access, understand, and interact with information on websites independently. This applies to all types of disabilities, such as visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor limitations, or learning disabilities.
However, as a company, offering an accessible website not only complies with legal requirements. It also demonstrates social responsibility awareness, increases the reach of your offerings, improves user experience, and can even benefit search engine optimization (SEO). And that’s exactly where we support you by implementing accessibility standards in our web projects.
Accessible websites require clear content structure and clearly labeled interactive elements. This makes the website more user-friendly for all visitors and increases the potential for a purchase or inquiry.
According to a survey conducted by Statistik Austria in 2016, approximately 1.3 million people in Austria live with a disability (18.4% of the population). An accessible website expands the reach of your offerings to this significant target audience.
Digital accessibility requires clean HTML code and the content must be structured clearly. This also makes it easier for Google to understand the website content and thus contributes to a good ranking in search engines.
The Austrian Accessibility Act requires companies to only offer accessible digital products from June 28, 2025. Although there are some exceptions and a transition period, you will benefit from being prepared for when the law comes into force.
We prioritize accessibility from the very beginning of when you venture online. Our accessibility experts incorporate their experience and knowledge into both the structural planning and design of your website. This includes clear structuring, adherence to contrast ratios, and the clear visual labeling of interactive elements.
Our team of web design experts is well-versed in the principles of accessible web development and implements them directly in programming your new website. A specially developed process for comprehensive quality assurance ensures that accessibility requirements are considered in the website code.
For existing websites, our experts conduct detailed accessibility tests. In our audit process, we identify barriers and propose solutions to improve accessibility. In a subsequent discussion of the results, you can ask questions about the analysis and the implementation of the proposed measures.
It’s not always necessary to completely redesign a website to make it accessible. In such cases, we support your company in implementing necessary measures on your existing website, both through our design and development teams.
Free tests: is my website accessible?
A first glimpse into the accessibility status of your website can be provided by free tools. These tools identify potential issues that users may encounter when interacting with your website within a few minutes. Some of these tools include:
These tools are a good starting point for identifying initial accessibility issues. However, automated tests have their limitations and cannot capture all barriers. In some areas, we recommend manual review by experts or users with disabilities to ensure a fully accessible website.
Which businesses need to have accessible websites?
According to the current Austrian regulations and the European standard for accessibility, all public entities as well as private companies are required to make their websites accessible according to the WCAG guidelines.
The following exceptions are provided:
How do we determine if a website is accessible?
The guidelines for what digital accessibility should entail are outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These criteria, developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), define 3 levels of accessibility, ranging from A (minimum requirements), to AA, and up to Level AAA for the highest level of accessibility.
The basis for these success criteria are the “Four Principles of Accessibility“. These principles define that an accessible website must meet the following four requirements:
How much does an accessible website cost?
The question of the cost of an accessible website is as important as it is complex. The investment in accessibility varies depending on several factors: the scope of the project, the current state of the website in terms of accessibility, and the specific requirements to meet the guidelines for accessible web design (e.g. Level AA or AAA).
Creation of new accessible websites
Creating a new accessible website may initially incur higher costs than a standard website, as it requires special design considerations, development techniques, and testing processes. These additional steps are crucial to ensure complete accessibility and user-friendliness. However, it is a long-term investment that not only meets legal requirements but also offers financial benefits by reaching a broader audience and improving SEO performance.
Optimization of existing websites
The costs of optimizing an existing website depend heavily on the current state of the website. Our accessibility audit is usually the first step to identify areas that need improvement. The costs vary depending on the scope of the necessary adjustments, but can be a more cost-effective solution than developing a new website.
Is the investment worthwhile?
While the costs of creating an accessible website or optimizing an existing one may initially seem higher, the long-term benefits are undeniable from our perspective. We believe that accessibility should not primarily be seen as a cost, but as an essential part of a sustainable and inclusive web strategy.
Our agency is here to help you find a bespoke solution regarding the accessibility of your website.
Barbara Schussek
Managing Director
Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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