Building an Accessibility Website with TYPO3

Web accessibility is all about making sure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can experience websites fully, without barriers. But did you know that only about 3% of websites worldwide are fully accessible? Surprising, right? That means millions of people are being left out of online experiences. Imagine for a minute if you had to struggle just to read a headline or click a button-seems frustrating? Well, that's an everyday challenge for many people online.

After considering this gap, TYPO3 has taken this step to make web accessibility a priority. TYPO3 accessibility provides features and tools that help creators to build websites which everyone can navigate and enjoy with ease. Think about it-when we build accessible sites, we're building a more inclusive internet space where everyone feels welcome.

Here's something important: by June 28, 2025, every business across the EU (like online stores, banking, and transport services) will need to meet accessibility standards as part of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). If accessibility isn't addressed by this deadline, businesses could face fines of up to 100,000 euros.

Isn't that the kind of web and progress we all need?
Let's dive in and make the web accessible for all!

Accessibility removes digital barriers, allowing people with disabilities to navigate and enjoy online content effortlessly. It promotes inclusivity, improves the user experience, and expands your audience by making websites welcoming and usable for everyone. By prioritizing accessibility, we're helping to create a more equal digital space.

Focus on your audience's needs-think about users with visual, hearing, or mobility challenges, each with specific requirements that should shape your design choices. Use clear headings, alt text for images, and simple language to make your content easy for everyone to follow. Also, set accessibility goals and benchmarks to track progress and make sure your site continues to improve as it grows.

There are plenty of guidelines out there. But which ones actually matter? Let me help you with a quick look at the most important ones to make your website accessible and compliant.

1. WCAG: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

WCAG is the international standard for accessible web content and it has three levels: A (basic), AA (recommended), and AAA (highest).

2. EN 301: The European Standard

This EU standard ensures digital products and services are accessible across Europe. It is based on WCAG 2.1, with updates planned for WCAG 2.2, and provides guidelines to make digital content and services accessible across Europe. This standard helps organizations comply with legal requirements and improve user experience for everyone.

3. BITV 2.0: Germany's Accessibility Rules

The BITV 2.0 is Germany's take on accessibility. It works under POUR principles:

• Perceivable: Content must be easy to see, hear, or understand (e.g., alt text for images).
• Operable: Navigation and actions should work with a keyboard.
• Understandable: Keep information clear and interfaces simple.
• Robust: Ensure compatibility with assistive tech like screen readers.

It's based on the European standard EN 301 but adds stricter rules, like ensuring PDF documents are accessible. Public institutions must follow BITV 2.0, while private companies are generally expected to meet WCAG standards.

Meeting these standards ensures legal compliance and opens your website to everyone, helping you avoid penalties and reach more users. Accessibility benefits everyone!

• Keyboard Navigation: Ensure users can navigate your site using only a keyboard. This is essential for people with mobility impairments who may not be able to use a mouse.
• Disability Option: Offer a range of options that cater to various disabilities, provide users with flexibility and control.
• Instant Mode: Provide features that users can activate instantly for a more accessible experience. This might include toggling larger text or enabling a high-contrast mode with one click.
• Voice Navigation: Consider implementing voice navigation for users who may struggle with keyboard or mouse input.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Ensure your site is compatible with screen readers by adding alt text, labeling elements clearly, and structuring content logically.
• Text Resizing Options: Offer controls for text resizing to help users adjust font sizes to suit their needs. This ensures that content is readable and accessible.
• Color Contrast Adjustments: Ensure sufficient color contrast between text and background. This enables color adjustments to make content eligible for users with visual impairments.

Building an accessible website is an ongoing process that begins with careful planning. TYPO3 extensions make accessibility easier to implement, but success requires regular audits, user testing, and keeping up with evolving standards. Accessibility benefits everyone, not just users with disabilities. By creating a site that's easy to navigate, readable, and functional, you create a welcoming, inclusive space where all users can engage comfortably and independently.

So, next time when you're working on a website, remember-it's more than just a site. You're creating a space where everyone is welcome and able to engage.

Need help making your website accessible?
Reach out at NITSAN-we're here to help you create an inclusive and user-friendly digital space for everyone.