Accessibility
Accessibility is more than just a legal requirement. It is essential for user-friendly and inclusive digital products. With our expertise and commitment, we ensure that our customers' websites and apps meet the highest standards and are easily accessible to everyone.
Accessible Solutions for all Users
For Unic, digital accessibility means designing websites and apps that are accessible and easy to use for all users, including people with sensory, motor, or cognitive impairments. To achieve this, we follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2).
Competitive Advantages Due to Accessible Solutions
In addition to complying with legal requirements, accessibility offers significant advantages for the user experience and supports your business goals:
Broader target group and greater reach: Accessible websites and applications can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities or temporary restrictions. This increases your potential reach and opens up new target groups.
Improved usability: Accessible designs enable easy navigation and create clear structures. They are easy to use for people with disabilities, older people, or users who are less familiar with digital technologies.
SEO benefits of accessible websites: Accessibility improves search engine rankings (SEO). Search engines rank websites significantly higher with a clear structure, fast loading time, and ALT text for images.
Positive brand image: Accessible solutions demonstrate social responsibility. Companies focusing on inclusion are perceived as compassionate and inclusive brands, strengthening their credibility.
Accessibility Guidelines and Standards in Switzerland and Germany
Web accessibility is defined by clear guidelines and international standards that ensure digital content is accessible to all people. In Switzerland and Germany, the regulations are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which serve as a global benchmark for accessible content. In Switzerland, it is mainly public bodies that are obliged to comply. Germany is going one step further with the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) that will also include private companies starting from 2025.
The Situation in Switzerland
The Disability Equality Act (BehiG) regulates digital accessibility in Switzerland. It requires that the websites of public bodies be accessible. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide the international standard for checking accessibility. The ‘Access for All’ foundation is a central authority for certifying and monitoring compliance with these standards. An amendment to the law is currently being prepared to hold private companies more accountable for ensuring digital content is accessible to all users.
The Situation in Germany
In Germany, the Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV) regulates the accessibility of websites and apps of public bodies of the federal government, following the WCAG standards since 2019. From June 2025, the Accessibility Reinforcement Act (BFSG) will also come into effect. It obliges all providers of electronic services, including private companies, to offer accessible content. The BFSG also affects Swiss companies that provide products or services in Germany or the EU. Penalties of up to €100,000 are possible for violations. The aim is to make digital services usable for people with disabilities and to promote inclusion.
Our Expertise in Digital Accessibility
Unic has extensive experience implementing accessible solutions. Our experts in application architecture, front-end engineering, information architecture, and content work in cross-functional teams and bring in-depth knowledge to every project. This ensures that all aspects of digital accessibility are considered.
Our Principles for Accessibility and Inclusion
Our work is based on key accessibility principles that deliver outstanding client results.
Collaboration with “Access for All”
We ensure that our solutions comply with international and legal standards by working closely with the “Access for All”-Foundation and participating in the WCAG checklist.
Early Accessibility Testing
Our specialised testing partners support projects right from the design phase to ensure that all components are compatible with assistive technologies, such as screen readers for the blind. Experts conduct final tests to guarantee the accessibility of our solutions.
Training and Continuous Education
Technologies, legal requirements, and user expectations are constantly evolving. To stay up-to-date, Unic employees regularly participate in training and educate themselves on accessibility.
Are you looking for accessibility experts? We are happy to support you.
We are here for you
Are you looking for accessibility experts? We are happy to support you.
We are here for you.
FAQ on accessibility
What does accessibility, according to WCAG 2.2, mean?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 include key guidelines for making digital content accessible to everyone:
Perceptibility: Content must be accessible to all senses. Text alternatives for images, high colour contrast and scalable font sizes help people with visual or hearing impairments to experience the content.
Usability: User interfaces and navigation should be intuitive and usable without special motor skills. This includes, for example, support for keyboard navigation.
Comprehensibility: Content should be clear and understandable — adopting simple language and a consistent structure.
Compatibility: Websites must be compatible with various technologies, including assistance technologies such as screen readers.
Why is accessibility important?
Accessibility enables all users to access information and digital services regardless of their abilities.
How does accessibility improve SEO rankings?
Accessible websites offer better structure, loading times, and text alternatives, positively impacting SEO rankings.
What disabilities are there, and how do they affect the use of digital services?
Disabilities can be permanent, temporary, or situational, often affecting different senses or abilities.
Motor skills: People who can only use one hand (e.g. due to a disability or temporary injury) need the ability to navigate using a keyboard or voice input. Situational limitations, such as holding a small child, require simple gestures to operate mobile devices.
Vision: Individuals with visual impairments (like blindness or cataracts) need content specifically optimized and structured for screen readers. Additionally, situations that involve distractions, such as driving, demand a clear and straightforward design.
Hearing: Audio content requires subtitles or transcripts for people with hearing impairments or temporary hearing problems. Visual alternatives to audio content are also helpful in noisy environments or where playing sound is inappropriate.
Speaking: Permanently or temporarily, non-verbal people benefit from alternative communication channels like chat options.
What are the legal guidelines for accessibility in Switzerland and Germany?
Specific regulations on digital accessibility apply in Switzerland and Germany, particularly for government websites. WCAG 2.2 provides an international standard as a guideline. We ensure that your website meets these requirements and is legally compliant.
How can accessibility be applied to existing websites?
Making an existing website accessible requires a thorough analysis. Accessibility can be achieved through adjustments such as improved navigation structures and optimized colour contrasts.
How time-consuming is the implementation of an accessible website?
The time and effort required depend heavily on the project's complexity. Minor adjustments to an existing website can often be made in just a few weeks, while extensive projects with complex requirements take more time. We develop a detailed plan for each project, covering all phases from analysis to implementation.