Accessible Drupal Applications
Requirements and Opportunities of the Accessibility Strengthening Act for Companies
Starting from June 28, 2025, a legal obligation for accessibility will take effect in Germany, affecting both the public and private sectors.
The Accessibility Strengthening Act (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz, BFSG) implements the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and creates uniform standards across Europe.
Companies that do not meet the requirements can expect significant penalties.
This article will inform you about which companies and areas are affected by the law, the benefits of accessibility for all users, and how Drupal can help you make your website or application accessible and user-friendly.
Content
➥ What are the requirements of the BFSG?
Who does the BFSG apply to?
The BFSG implements the EU Directive known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) in Germany and ensures that products and services are accessible to everyone.
The Accessibility Enhancement Act affects:
- Companies: e.g., providers of computers, smartphones, tablets, ATMs, ticket and check-in machines, and payment terminals.
- Service Providers: e.g., banks, e-commerce platforms, transport services, telecommunications services, audiovisual media services, e-books.
- Public Institutions: Websites and mobile applications of public bodies must also be accessible.
Companies in other European countries and in Switzerland are not directly affected by the BFSG, but must comply with the respective requirements if they aim to enter the German market.
This is particularly relevant for cross-border business activities. It may be beneficial to align with European accessibility standards to ensure international competitiveness.
What are the requirements of the BFSG?
The regulations of the BFSG are based on the European standard EN 301 549, which in turn is based on the international WCA 2.1 criteria.
The requirements include:
1. Requirements for Companies
If you manufacture or distribute products that fall under the BFSG (e.g., computers, smartphones, ATMs, ticket machines), you must ensure that these products are designed to be accessible, which includes:
Accessibility of the user interface: People with visual, hearing, or movement disabilities must be able to easily operate the products.
- Customer support and user manuals: These must be available in accessible formats, such as easy-to-understand language or compatible with assistive technologies.
2. Requirements for Service Providers
If you offer services (e.g., webshops, banking services, telecommunications, transportation, audiovisual media), you must ensure that these services meet the following requirements:
- Accessible websites and apps: Digital offerings must comply with international accessibility standards (WCAG 2.2 at conformance levels A and AA).
- Accessible communication: Customers with disabilities must be able to easily contact you, e.g., through accessible hotlines, chat functions, or email services.
3. Requirements for Public Institutions
If you work for an authority, public institution, or if your company is funded by public money, all digital offerings, such as websites and mobile apps, must be designed to be accessible. This means:
- Websites and mobile apps: These must meet accessibility standards so that people with disabilities have access to the content.
- Documents and PDFs: All documents available online must be accessible.
Important: As the operator of a website, you are responsible for ensuring that all embedded content—including that from third-party providers—is accessible.
This means that external tools such as forms, chatbots, payment services, or multimedia players must also meet legal requirements.
Importance and Benefits of Accessibility
Accessibility is much more than a measure for people with disabilities – it enhances the user experience for everyone. Investing in accessibility not only serves to comply with legal requirements but is also a strategic decision that reflects the values of inclusion and social responsibility.
An accessible website offers numerous advantages in addition to complying with legal requirements:
1. Expanded Market
- Accessibility for More People: 1 in 4 people in the EU, which means 87 million people, have some form of disability. An accessible website allows these people to access your content.
- Older People: A growing target group is older people who may no longer be able to use all digital offerings easily.
2. Better User Experience
- Clear Navigation and Content: Accessible websites feature structured and easily accessible navigation as well as easy-to-read content.
- Faster Load Times and Better Mobile Usability: Optimizations for accessibility, such as simple and clear structures or avoiding unnecessary visual effects.
3. SEO Optimization
- Better visibility in search engines: Many measures that contribute to accessibility also enhance discoverability in search engines.
- More traffic and better user engagement: Through better rankings and higher user-friendliness, more people will find your site.
4. Strengthening the Brand Image
- Inclusion and Social Responsibility: Accessibility demonstrates that your company takes social responsibility and is committed to inclusion. This strengthens trust in your brand and promotes a positive image.
- Brand Loyalty and Customer Loyalty: Customers who have a positive experience on your website are more likely to remain loyal and recommend the site.
5. Innovation Advantage
- Technological Advances: The implementation of accessible designs can lead to better and more efficient technologies in the long run, benefiting the entire website.
- Compatibility with New Devices: Accessibility often optimizes compatibility with voice assistants, screen readers, and other assistive technologies that are becoming increasingly popular, leading to an innovative and future-proof web presence.
6. Competitive Advantage
- Differentiation from the Competition: If your website is accessible and your competitors' are not, you gain a significant advantage. This can provide a market edge and open up new customer groups.
Interim Conclusion: Benefits for Your Business.
Accessibility is not only a requirement in terms of legal compliance but also offers various advantages for you as a website owner. It expands your reach, improves user experience, boosts SEO, and strengthens brand image. In the long run, it is an investment in the future, as the importance of accessibility and inclusion will rightly continue to rise.
Tips for the Accessibility of Your Drupal Website
When designing an accessible website, there are various aspects that need to be considered to ensure optimal use for all users. Here are some of the most important points:
1. Contrast and Colors
- Sufficient contrast between foreground and background colors
- Color vision deficiencies: Avoid using colors as the only distinguishing feature
- High contrast for mobile usage
2. Keyboard Accessibility
- Interactive elements are accessible via the Tab key (↹)
- Interactive elements are visually highlighted
- Buttons have an adequate size
3. Screenreader Compatibility
- Headings have a clear structure and hierarchy
- Images are provided with descriptive ALT texts
4. Language
- Simple language,short sentences and clear sentence structure
- Consider the difference between simple and Easy Language
- Easy Language is regulated and also includes typography and layout
5. Forms
- Clicking on the label moves the cursor to the associated input field
- Navigation through forms is possible using the Tab key
6. Additional Points
- Subtitles and text transcription are provided for audiovisual content
- Animations are used thoughtfully
Advantages of Drupal for Accessible Websites
The CMS Drupal offers numerous features that facilitate the creation of accessible websites:
1. Standard-Compliant Accessibility
Drupal is continuously being developed to meet the international standards of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG).
2. Screen Reader and Mobile Optimization
Drupal is up-to-date with support for screen readers and other assistive technologies. Drupal supports responsive design by default.
3. Support for Keyboard Navigation
Drupal modules and themes support navigation options that can be operated without a mouse.
4. Adaptable Modules
The Drupal community is continuously developing modules that complement accessibility features.
Conclusion
By combining standard-compliant technologies, modular extensibility, community support, and specially developed accessibility tools, Drupal offers a solid foundation for developing accessible websites.
This makes Drupal a very suitable choice for companies seeking an accessible, inclusive website solution.
What keytec can do for you
Do you have any questions? We are at your service with comprehensive expertise and well-founded analyses to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent users from fully accessing your digital content.
Contact us – together, we will make your Drupal projects future-proof and inclusive.
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