Accessible website: implementation and legislation in Switzerland
An accessible website can be used by everyone, regardless of restrictions on seeing, hearing, moving, or understanding information. The basis is international standards such as WCAG 2.1, which are binding for federal websites in Switzerland and also provide important guidance for companies.
The most important information about the barrier-free website in brief
- A barrier-free website can be used by all people, regardless of limitations in seeing, hearing, moving or understanding.
- The most important standards are WCAG 2.1 international and eCH-0059 in Switzerland, which make accessibility mandatory on federal websites.
- In Switzerland, the BeHIG is the legal basis; in the EU market, the European Accessibility Act will be binding from 2025.
- A barrier-free website reduces barriers for users, makes content accessible to more user groups and meets legal requirements.
What is an accessible website?
An accessible website is designed in such a way that all people can use it without obstacles. These include people with impaired vision, hearing, mobility or cognitive disabilities.
Web accessibility means that content is readable, operable and understandable, regardless of the device or assistive technologies such as screen readers or voice controls. In this way, all users can find the information and perform functions of a website.
Accessible websites are a prerequisite for digital participation and prevent certain user groups from being excluded.
What laws apply to barrier-free websites?
Accessible websites comply with international standards such as WCAG 2.1. In Switzerland, the Disability Equality Act and the eCH-0059 standard set the requirements. The European Accessibility Act will also apply in the EU from 2025.
International standards for barrier-free websites
The most important requirements for barrier-free websites are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. They determine how content is designed to be perceptible, operable, understandable and robust. In the EU, the EN 301 549 standard, which is based on the WCAG, also applies.
Standards for barrier-free websites in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the Disability Equality Act states (BeHig) states that people with disabilities must not be disadvantaged. The standard applies to federal websites eCH-0059, which is based on WCAG 2.1 AA. Authorities also publish an accessibility statement in which they make accessibility and possible restrictions transparent. There is no blanket WCAG requirement for private companies, but there is a requirement for”reasonable arrangements”.
EU requirements for barrier-free websites
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force in June 2025. Since then, many digital products and services must be barrier-free. This also applies to Swiss companies that provide digital offerings on the EU market.
Checklist: What are the criteria for an accessible website?
A barrier-free website meets technical and design requirements that enable access for all users. The following points form the most important principles:
- Structure and navigation: Clear headings, logical page layout and simple menus make orientation easier.
- Keyboard usability: All functions must also be accessible without a mouse.
- Alternative texts: Images and graphics receive descriptive texts that can be output by screen readers.
- Color contrasts: Text and background must be significantly different so that content is legible.
- Text size: Font sizes can be increased without loss of quality.
- Subtitles and transcripts: Videos and audio content are supplemented with subtitles or text versions.
- Screen reader compatibility: All texts and content are programmed so that screen readers can reliably capture them.
- forms: All fields are clearly labelled and provided with help texts.
- Error notes: Errors in entries are clearly identified and suggested solutions are displayed.
- Mobile accessibility: Content is also fully usable on smartphones and tablets.
- Accessibility statement: A website provides transparent information on the status of accessibility and provides contact options for feedback.
How do I create an accessible website?
A barrier-free website requires technical knowledge, clear content and compliance with legal standards. You can start the journey in five steps:
1. Check status
There are free testing tools for an initial test of the accessibility of a website. Manually checking navigation options is also important.
The accessibility of a website can be checked for technical errors using automated tools. Manual checks and screen reader tests show whether the site is really usable in everyday life.
Automated testing
- WAVE: Website and browser extension that shows missing alt texts, contrasts or incorrect headline structures.
- axe: Extension for Chrome and Firefox that automatically checks WCAG criteria.
- Lighthouse for developers: Google tool that assesses accessibility as part of an overall analysis.
Screen reader testing
- NVDA (Windows) and VoiceOver (macOS/iOS) are available free of charge and show how a website is perceived by blind or visually impaired users.
- JAWS is a professional screen reader with a wide range of functions.
Manual checks
- Check navigation with the keyboard (Tab, Enter, arrow keys).
- Contrast values using tools such as Contrast Checker measure.
- Fill out forms and check whether error messages are clear.
Only the combination of automated testing and manual verification provides a complete picture of a website's accessibility.
Important: The testing tools cannot replace an expert's view of barrier-free websites, as they can only test criteria that can be automated. Many important aspects such as “Does alt text really make sense? “or “is the navigation comprehensible to screen readers? “They can't judge. That is why even official or exemplary sites often do poorly in such tools.
2. Select partner
Internal IT departments or external agencies can take over the implementation. Knowledge of WCAG 2.1 and eCH-0059 in Switzerland is important.
3. Customize content
Images need alt texts, videos need subtitles, and forms need clear captions. Texts should be formulated in an understandable way and without technical jargon.
4. Accompany implementation
Service providers should provide a clear checklist and prove which criteria have been met. As an entrepreneur, you should always be kept up to date with the latest processing status by the selected service provider.
5. Test regularly
After a relaunch or update, it is checked again using automated tools. In addition, tests with real users ensure that the website works in everyday life.
Examples of accessible websites
Examples best show what accessibility looks like in practice. Many public and private organizations are already successfully implementing the standards:
The website of Human action is considered a role model for accessibility. Clear structures, distinct contrasts and alternative texts for images make them accessible to all user groups.
Switzerland's central federal portals, such as admin.ch comply with the eCH-0059 standard and are based on WCAG 2.1 AA. They also provide an accessibility statement that makes the status of accessibility transparent.
Even municipal websites such as zurich.ch are based on WCAG 2.1 AA. The content can be operated via keyboard, the font sizes can be scaled and all important information is also easily accessible on the go.
Axisbits barrier-free website
At Axisbits, we develop websites that comply with Swiss requirements. In doing so, we ensure that accessibility is integrated into design, code and content right from the start.
- Your Axisbits website meets legal requirements in Switzerland and the EU market.
- Your content is accessible to everyone, regardless of restrictions.
- Your site is technically implemented in such a way that it can also be maintained and expanded in the long term.
If you're planning a website that really reaches everyone, we'll guide you from analysis to going live. Get in touch with us with your project!
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Wir schaffen leistungsstarke Plattformen und Websites für Startups, Scale-Ups und KMUs, von Konzept bis Go-Live.
We develop high-end websites for start-ups and SMEs that are barrier-free and comply with current legal requirements.
Accessible websites — common questions and answers
An accessible website is designed in such a way that it can be used by everyone, regardless of limitations in seeing, hearing, moving, or understanding. The basis is standards such as WCAG 2.1, which define minimum criteria for content and functions.
Accessibility on the Internet means that digital offerings are accessible to everyone. These include technical requirements such as keyboard usability as well as content in understandable language and alternatives to images or videos.
The EU Accessibility Act has been in force for many digital products and services since 2025. Swiss companies must comply with it if they provide appropriate offers on the EU market.
Accessible websites are technically cleaner and offer clear structures that are also better understood by search engines. Alt texts, semantically correct code, and easy navigation improve both user experience and visibility.
Axisbits develops websites according to WCAG and ECH standards, paying attention to design, code, and content. Your Axisbits website therefore meets legal requirements and can be easily used by everyone.
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