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Editorial implementation according to BFSG 2025

Since 28 June 2025, the Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) has required certain websites to be designed to be accessible. In the third part of our blog series on web accessibility, we look at editorial measures and the steps editors need to take to make website content accessible and inclusive.

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Important editorial approaches for the accessibility of websites:

Making text content accessible & understandable

An accessible website not only improves the user experience, but also ensures better findability in search engines. Important aspects such as simple language, a clear heading structure and meaningful alternative texts for images help to make content accessible to everyone. The following points show how these measures can be implemented effectively.

• Simple language:
  Not all texts need to be written in simple language, but important information - such as contact details, instructions or notes - should be available in an easily understandable form. A complete translation of the website into plain language is not necessary, but it is helpful. A separate page or section ‘Plain language’ that summarises the core content or a button that leads to the simplified version is often sufficient.
   
• Structured headings:
  A clear hierarchy of headings (H1 to H6) improves orientation for users and search engines. People with screen readers can jump to specific sections, while search engines index the content better. An H1 heading should contain the main title of the page and only appear once. Subsections follow logically with H2, H3 etc., without skipping levels.
   
• Alternative texts for images:
  Not every image needs an alternative text. Relevant images that convey information (e.g. diagrams, graphics, product images) should have a meaningful alt text. Decorative images that have no meaning in terms of content, on the other hand, require an empty alt attribute (alt=‘’). A simple rule: If someone would miss important information without the image, a descriptive alternative text is necessary - otherwise the alt attribute remains empty.
   
• Meaningful link texts:
  links should clearly and comprehensibly describe where they lead. Instead of vague formulations such as ‘Click here’, meaningful texts should be used, e.g. ‘Find out more about our range of services’. This not only facilitates orientation for users, but also navigation for screen readers and significantly improves the accessibility of the content.
  
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Providing accessible multimedia content

Accessible media content ensures that information is accessible to everyone - regardless of individual limitations. Subtitles, audio descriptions and text alternatives for audio content can be used to make videos and podcasts more inclusive. The following measures help to break down barriers and make content easier to understand.

• Videos with subtitles and audio description:
  Videos should be designed in such a way that they are accessible to all people - regardless of their individual abilities. This includes subtitles that display spoken content and relevant sounds (e.g. ‘door slams’). Audio description is particularly important for people with visual impairments. Visual information such as actions, scene changes or body language are described via an additional audio track.
   
• Text alternatives for audio content:
  Podcasts, interviews and other audio files should always provide a written transcription. This enables people with hearing impairments or hearing loss to read the content. It also benefits users who are unable to play audio, for example in quiet or noisy environments.

• Controllable players:
  Video and audio players must be fully controllable using the keyboard. This means that users can control all functions - such as playing, pausing, fast-forwarding and rewinding or adjusting the volume - without a mouse. Clear visual feedback as to which player area is currently focussed also makes navigation easier.

Accessible multimedia content benefits not only people with disabilities but also users in different usage scenarios.

Optimise contrasts and readability for web accessibility

Good legibility is essential to ensure that all users can easily grasp content. Colour contrasts, font sizes and the correct presentation of text play a decisive role in this. The following measures help to avoid barriers and improve accessibility for everyone.

• Sufficient colour contrast:
  Texts and interactive elements must stand out clearly from the background so that they are easy to read for all users. The minimum contrast value for normal text is 4.5:1, for large text even 3:1. These values ensure that even people with impaired vision or colour blindness can easily recognise content. Sufficient contrast is particularly important for buttons, links and form fields in order to clearly communicate functionality.
   
• Font size and customisability:
  The font size must be designed in such a way that it can be scaled without content overlapping or becoming illegible. Users can usually adjust the font size directly via their browser settings or with the help of zoom functions - typically via the key combination ‘Ctrl +’ / ‘Cmd +’ to enlarge and ‘Ctrl -’ / ‘Cmd -’ to reduce. In addition, many operating systems offer global settings for adjusting the font size.
   
• No text in images:
  Text should always be displayed as real text and not as part of an image. Real text can be read by screen readers, indexed by search engines and enlarged or customised by users. If text in images is unavoidable for design reasons (e.g. in logos or special graphics), an alternative text (alt attribute) must be added that clearly describes the content.

Optimising contrasts and legibility ensures that the content is not only visually appealing, but can also be easily understood by all people regardless of their visual abilities.

User-friendly navigation and feedback

Clear and easily accessible navigation is essential to ensure accessibility.

• Sensible breadcrumbs:
  Breadcrumbs - i.e. navigation paths that show the current location within the website - help users to orientate themselves better. They should be clearly structured and comprehensible so that users always know which level of the website they are on and how they can quickly return to higher-level pages. Breadcrumbs are a valuable aid to easy navigation, especially for extensive websites.

• Links in new windows:
  Avoid opening links in new windows, as this can confuse website users. If necessary, label such links clearly, e.g. with ‘...opens in new tab’.
   
• Feedback mechanism:
  Users must be able to report barriers directly. A clearly labelled contact point, e.g. a form or a special email address, makes it easier to provide feedback on accessibility. It should be ensured that feedback is processed promptly and taken seriously. A well-functioning feedback mechanism not only contributes to the continuous improvement of accessibility, but also strengthens users' trust in the website.

Making tables and diagrams accessible

A well-structured presentation of data and graphics is important so that all users can grasp the information they contain. Logical table structures and meaningful alternative texts play an important role.

• Logical structure:
  Tables should always be clearly and logically structured in order to remain understandable for all users. This means that row and column headings must be clearly labelled. Screen readers can then correctly interpret the relationship between data points and headings and read them out to users. For complex tables with multiple levels in particular, it is important to implement this structure cleanly and consistently to facilitate orientation.
• Alternative texts:
  Diagrams and infographics often convey important information visually. To ensure that this information is also accessible to people who cannot see the images, they should be provided with a descriptive alternative text (alt attribute). For particularly complex graphics, a short alternative text is usually not sufficient. In such cases, a more detailed description should be provided as a separate text on the page or in the immediate context of the diagram.

A clear structure and meaningful alternative texts ensure that tables and diagrams are understandable and accessible for all users - regardless of how they consume the content.

Accessibility statement*

Every website must provide an easily accessible and up-to-date accessibility statement. This declaration should transparently document the extent to which the website fulfils the requirements of the Accessibility Improvement Act. Users should also find information in the declaration about which parts of the website may not be fully accessible and why this is the case.

Training and sensitisation in the area of web accessibility

Editors should know and be able to apply the most important requirements in order to successfully implement accessibility for websites. Training and awareness-raising measures help to develop an understanding of clear language, accessible structures and technical requirements. In this way, accessibility becomes an integral part of content creation.

• Editor training:
  All editors should be familiar with the requirements of the Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG). This includes a basic understanding of clear language, the correct use of headings, alternative texts and meaningful link labelling. Practical training courses that teach how to use accessible tools and content management systems help to implement these requirements consistently.
   
• Create awareness:
  Content that is clearly structured, easy to understand and accessible improves the user experience for everyone - not just people with disabilities. Sensitisation training and regular workshops can help to anchor this awareness in the entire team.

A trained and sensitised team ensures that accessibility is not just seen as a mandatory task, but as a central component of an inclusive and user-friendly website.

Automated tests to check accessibility

Regular testing is essential to ensure the accessibility of your website – especially if several people are involved in its design or changes are made on an ongoing basis. Automated tools such as WAVE, Axe or the Accessibility Checker offer an efficient way to detect technical barriers and quickly identify problematic areas.

Editorial accessibility as the key to inclusive websites

Implementing the requirements of the BFSG requires close cooperation between the technical and editorial teams. While developers create the technical basis, it is up to the editors to create accessible content. The following applies: clarity and user-friendliness are the basis for including all people, regardless of individual limitations.

Book your expert for BFSG-compliant websites now!

[1] dkd experts for your accessible website
[2] Accessibility Reinforcement Act 2025
[3] Relaunch of accessible, responsive website for BSBH
[4] Implementing web accessibility correctly from a technical perspective