In Switzerland, 1.8 million people live with a disability – around one-fifth of the total population. Digital accessibility ensures that online services are available to everyone. Besides only being fair, it will also be a legal requirement from 28 June 2025.
Digital accessibility guarantees that websites, apps and other digital services can be accessed by all users, regardless of disabilities or impairments. This means that content must be designed so that it can be perceived, understood and used by everyone. This includes people with:
- visual impairments
- hearing impairments
- motor disabilities
- cognitive impairments
- age-related limitations
The European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The EAA is an EU directive that came into force in 2019 and must be fully implemented by 28 June 2025. It aims to standardise accessibility across products and services. While the EAA directly applies to EU member states, it also affects Swiss businesses that offer products or services in the EU. Companies that fail to comply with the Accessibility Act could face fines of up to 100,000 euros and damage to their reputation.
WCAG: the standard for digital accessibility
The EAA’s requirements are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), internationally recognised standards for digital accessibility. WCAG provides clear criteria for making digital content accessible, built on four core principles:
- Perceivable
Content must be perceivable for all users, with features such as text alternatives for images, sufficient colour contrast and video subtitles. - Operable
All functions must be operable, regardless of a person’s abilities, with support for different input methods. - Understandable
Content and navigation must be clear, consistent and easy to understand. - Robust
Content must be compatible with various technologies and tools – assistive included – and its interpretation ensured.
WCAG defines different levels of compliance: A, AA, and AAA. The European Accessibility Act requires at least level AA compliance.
An opportunity, not a hurdle
Accessibility isn’t just about following legal requirements – it offers tangible benefits. By making digital services accessible, businesses can reach new audiences and expand their market reach. At the same time, SEO performance improves, as the engines rank accessible websites more highly. This benefits not only people with disabilities but all users, since WCAG compliance enhances the overall user experience. And companies that prioritise accessibility also raise their image, positioning themselves as socially responsible and actively committed to promoting inclusion.
We would be happy to support you in:
- assessing your current digital presence
- developing a tailored action plan
- professionally implementing accessible solutions
- training your employees
- planning and executing additional measures such as overlay tools or full accessibility audits, including certification
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation and ensure your digital services are accessible to all – legally compliant, customer-oriented and future-proof.
More information
Christian Schwander
Partner
T +41 44 268 12 05
M +41 79 420 19 53
christian.schwander@linkgroup.ch
