Accessible website: implementation and legislation in Switzerland

The most important things about the accessible website in brief

• An accessible 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.
• An accessible 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 so 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 accessible 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 accessible websites

The most important requirements for accessible websites are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. They determine how content is designed to be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. In the EU, the EN 301 549 standard, which is based on the WCAG, also applies.

Standards for accessible websites in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the Disability Equality Act (BehiG) stipulates that people with disabilities must not be disadvantaged. For federal websites, the eCH-0059 standard applies, 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 accessible websites

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force in June 2025. Since then, many digital products and services must be accessible. This also applies to Swiss companies that provide digital offerings on the EU market.

Checklist: What are the criteria for an accessible website?

An accessible 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.
• Colour 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?

An accessible website requires technical knowledge, clear content and compliance with legal standards. You can approach it 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).
• Measure contrast values using tools such as Contrast Checker.
• 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 accessible websites, as they can only test criteria that can be automated. Many important aspects such as “Is the alt text really meaningful?” or “Is the navigation comprehensible for screen readers?” cannot be judged by such tools. 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. Adapt 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 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 organisations are already successfully implementing the standards:

The website of Aktion Mensch is considered a role model for accessibility. Clear structures, distinct contrasts and alternative texts for images make it 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 zuerich.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 mobile devices.

Accessible website by Axisbits

We at Axisbits 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 about your project!

{{fs-btn-cta}}