Web accessibility (EAA)
Web accessibility means everyone can use a website — including people with impaired vision, hearing or motor skills. The legal basis in the EU is the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), applicable since 28 June 2025 and implemented nationally, in Germany as the BFSG.
In practice, accessibility means sufficient contrast, full keyboard operation, alternative text for images, understandable forms and a clear, logical page structure. The internationally recognised WCAG guidelines serve as the technical yardstick. Much of this is simply sound craftsmanship — and it benefits every visitor, not only people with disabilities.
The legal framework: the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882) has been applicable since 28 June 2025 and has been implemented nationally — in Germany as the BFSG, in Italy by legislative decree. It mainly concerns websites through which consumers can buy products or book services, such as shops and online booking; exemptions are provided for microenterprises offering services. Whether and how your business is affected is something to have checked legally if in doubt.
Beyond any obligation, accessibility is an investment in quality: a clearly structured, easy-to-operate website reaches more people — older guests, mobile users, people with temporary impairments. And the same clean structure that helps a screen reader also helps search engines and AI systems understand your content correctly. Built accessibly, a website wins twice.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions.
Does my website have to be accessible — does this affect me?
That depends on what your website does. The basis is the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882), applicable since 28 June 2025 and implemented nationally — in Germany as the BFSG. It mainly concerns websites through which consumers can buy products or book services, such as shops or online booking. Exemptions are provided for microenterprises offering services. Whether your case falls under it is something to have checked legally if in doubt — only a qualified professional can give you a binding answer.
Regardless of the obligation, accessibility is almost always worth it: clear structure, good contrast and keyboard operation make your website easier for everyone to use — including older guests and people on their phones. And the same clean structure that helps a screen reader also helps search engines and AI systems understand your content correctly. Accessibility is quality — not a tiresome extra.
Do I need to rebuild my website for AI visibility?
Not necessarily. Structured data, clean multilingualism and performance can be retrofitted. But if the foundation is an old tower of plugins, a foundation that brings these things built in is often the faster and cheaper way.