What does accessibility on the website mean?

Web design

27 Jan.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA ) will make it mandatory throughout the EU by June 28, 2025 for websites, apps and digital content to be designed and developed in such a way that they can be used by as many people as possible, regardless of their physical, sensory or cognitive impairments.

The EAA aims to improve digital accessibility so that people with disabilities have equal access to information and services on the internet.

What does the EAA mean for website owners?

For website owners, this means that they must not only comply with legal obligations, but also optimize the user experience for all visitors.

The main implications of the EAA for website owners are as follows:

Legislation and guidelines: Website owners must ensure that their platforms comply with the applicable accessibility guidelines. These include the WCAG(Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), which set clear standards for the design of accessible websites.
Market access: Accessible websites are crucial for access to a wider audience. Website owners who invest in accessibility not only reach people with disabilities, but also improve the user experience for all.
Liability: Failure to comply with the EAA's requirements can have legal consequences. Website owners could face legal action or even risk fines, which can have a negative impact on their business.
Customer loyalty: An accessible website shows that a company takes responsibility and is willing to create an inclusive environment. This strengthens customer trust and can lead to a loyal customer base.
Competitiveness: In an increasingly digitalized market, accessibility is a competitive advantage. Websites that are user-friendly and accessible can stand out from the competition and thus improve their market position.

It is therefore time to recognize accessibility as one of the most important components of web development and to actively work towards it.

The most important restrictions for accessibility on a website are:

Visual content: The lack of alternative texts for images makes it difficult for blind or visually impaired users to access information.
Color contrasts: Inadequate color combinations can result in people with visual impairments being unable to read texts.
Navigation: Complex or confusing menus are a hindrance for users with motor disabilities or cognitive impairments.
Keyboard navigation: Sites that rely exclusively on mouse interaction exclude many people with motor difficulties.
Text size and design: Fonts that are difficult to read or do not offer the possibility of adaptation limit accessibility for people with visual impairments.
Multimedia content: Missing subtitles or transcriptions for videos and audio can exclude deaf or hard of hearing people.
Forms: Insufficient labels and instructions can be frustrating for users with cognitive challenges and make it much more difficult to use.
Pop-ups and automated content: Content that appears without user interaction can be upsetting and confusing, especially for users with cognitive limitations.

Taking these points into account is crucial to ensuring comprehensive accessibility and providing optimum access for all users.

Who is affected?

Companies that offer products or services to consumers online, such as online stores, banks or telecommunications services.
Service providers in areas such as passenger transportation or audiovisual media that make their services available online.

Exceptions:

Micro-enterprises with fewer than ten employees and an annual turnover or an annual balance sheet total of no more than two million euros are exempt from this obligation.

How can I ensure the accessibility of my Squarespace website?

1. Use of alternative text (alt text)

Why important: Screen readers use alt text to describe images for people with visual impairments.
Enter a description in the Alt text (alternative text) field. Describe clearly what can be seen in the picture.

2. Structured headings

Why important: Screen readers read headings in hierarchical order to make the structure of the page understandable.
Use the predefined heading formats (H1, H2, H3) to organize the content logically.
Avoid simulating headings only through visual styling (bold font or larger font) - use the right HTML tag templates.

3. Text alternatives for links

Why important: Screen readers read the link text out loud. Links with generic text such as "Click here" are incomprehensible to users.
Better: Use descriptive link texts, e.g. "Learn more about our services" instead of "Click here".

4. Colors and contrasts

Why important: People with visual impairments or color blindness need sufficient contrast to read text.
Squarespace offers design settings that allow you to customize the font color and background.
Use tools such as the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker to ensure that your contrast ratio meets the guidelines.

5. Navigation friendliness

Why important: Screen reader users navigate with the keyboard and expect a clear structure.
Test the navigation of your website with the tab key. Make sure that all menus, links and interactive elements can be accessed in a logical order.
Use Squarespace's anchor link function to give long pages a clear structure.

6. Avoidance of animations and autoplay content

Why important: Moving content or automatic playback can be irritating or create barriers.
Go to the settings for video or slideshow elements and deactivate autoplay and automatic scrolling.
Make sure that users can stop animations if they disturb them.

7. Support from Squarespace tools

Squarespace offers built-in accessibility support, but you can improve it further:
- Use descriptive page titles and meta descriptions.
- Use subtitles or transcriptions for videos and audios
- Make sure that form fields (e.g. in contact forms) have clear labels.
- Test your website with a screen reader like NVDA (free for Windows) or VoiceOver (integrated on Apple devices) to identify vulnerabilities.

8. Testing and checking

Tools for tests:
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): Helps you to identify accessibility problems.
- Lighthouse (integrated in Chrome): Checks accessibility and other aspects of website quality.
- Screen reader test: Navigate through your website with a screen reader and simulate the experience of a visually impaired user.

Conclusion

Accessibility is not just a legal obligation, but an essential component of any successful website. Accessibility enables all users, regardless of their individual abilities or limitations, to access and experience content on an equal footing. In addition, accessibility often promotes better search engine rankings.

Companies and self-employed people who integrate accessible designs into their websites demonstrate social responsibility and expand their target group at the same time. Ultimately, an inclusive web design not only leads to a better user experience, but also to stronger brand loyalty and a positive image in the digital space.