Accessibility is more than just a legal standard. It means real participation – both digital and analogue. If you want to make products and content accessible to everyone, you have to ask yourself the right questions from the outset: Who should be able to use it? And who is often forgotten? This article is about how accessibility can really be thought about and practised in the tech context – in a practical, human way and with the aim of making digital spaces more inclusive.
Accessibility is a DEI theme – and a cultural promise
When we talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, it is often about gender, origin or social background. The topic of disability is less present. Yet accessibility affects many people – not only permanently, but also temporarily. For example, anyone who cannot type with a broken arm, struggles with a visual impairment or watches a video without subtitles in a noisy environment quickly reaches their limits.
Accessibility therefore not only creates access for people with disabilities, but also improves utilisation for everyone. It is about fair participation that excludes no one – regardless of physical, cognitive or age-related limitations. And it’s about taking responsibility as a company or organisation: for digital products, for workplaces, for communication.
Digital barriers are often invisible – until you face them yourself
Many digital barriers only become apparent when you experience them yourself or specifically look for them. A button without contrast, a video without subtitles or a PDF that cannot be read with a screen reader – these are all typical stumbling blocks that are often overlooked during development. In the tech world, speed and innovation dominate. Accessibility is then often seen as an ‘extra effort’ – something that can be ‘made up for’ later. However, anyone who only checks whether a product is accessible at the end has usually already made too many wrong decisions. Accessibility cannot simply be slapped onto an existing design. It has to be considered right from the start – in the concept, in the code and in the team.
Accessibility is a quality feature – not a bonus
Accessibility pays off. Not only for ethical or legal reasons, but also economically. This is because accessible products are generally more user-friendly, easier to understand and more robust. They reduce the bounce rate, improve the SEO ranking and strengthen brand perception. Above all, however, they send a clear message: ‘Everyone is welcome here.’ The implementation does not have to be perfect. It is more important to start at all – with small, concrete steps. A simple colour contrast check in the design process. A clearly structured text. Alternative texts for images. Keyboard navigation for the web app. It’s often the basics that make the biggest difference.
Accessibility needs attitude – and clear responsibilities
Checklists help, as do tools such as Wave or AXE. But what helps most is a team that sees accessibility not as a checkbox, but as a basic attitude. This starts with the language: Do we write comprehensibly? Do we communicate inclusively? Do we also think about people with disabilities when conducting UX tests? It can be helpful to establish accessibility as a fixed role in the team. As a ‘champion’ or ‘accessibility lead’ who raises awareness, provides support and initiates continuous improvements. Because just as sustainability is not the sole responsibility of the environmental officer, accessibility should also be considered in all areas – in design, development, marketing and management.
Accessibility is a journey – not a finished state
Digital accessibility is not a one-off task, but a process. One that requires patience, but can also achieve a great deal. Those who think accessibly think inclusively. And those who think inclusively build products and structures that reach more people – and take everyone with them.
Because in the end, it’s not just about removing barriers. It’s about creating digital spaces in which nobody has to feel excluded. That’s not just fair. It’s sustainable.