Germany's Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz kicks in next week – and accessibility just became the new normal for digital products.
At the Berlin Product Designers Meetup this week, Guillaume Vaslin made a compelling case for taking the new law seriously, and he framed it well: barrier-free design is no longer optional.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that sets common accessibility requirements for digital products and services, with the German implementation – the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) – going into effect on 28 June 2025. Beyond the obvious (don't be a jerk), there's a simple truth: with the BFSG, barrier-free design is becoming the new normal. Digital products that neglect accessibility won't just face legal risks – they'll look outdated as the digital landscape evolves and with it the expectations of users.
(Which is why we specifically trained our designers at my agency long ago and baked accessibility deep into our process)
A few key insights:
🔹 The AI boom is quietly pushing accessibility forward – because websites built with clear structure, semantic markup, and alt-text aren't just more inclusive; they're also easier for LLMs to crawl and interpret. Suddenly, accessibility aligns with the AI gold rush.
🔹 Design complexity is increasing – we're already juggling user-centricity, brand alignment, conversion optimization, SEO, and more. Now, accessibility joins that list as a core requirement, not an afterthought. The solution? Bake it in from day one.
🔹 Tech can help reduce the effort – AI can now generate meaningful alt-text, auto-caption videos, and flag contrast issues. The tools are getting smarter, let's use them.
But here's the catch: accessibility only works if everyone commits. Designers, developers, content teams on the one hand, but also clients who see the value and potential. Not just as compliance, but as better design: one that reaches more people and simply works better.
Let's make it happen. 💡
DigitalDesign #Accessibility #AI #InclusiveDesign
Read next:
- GAIO guide – accessibility and AI-readiness are two sides of the same coin
- Dare more usability testing – accessibility lives or dies in user testing
- Diversity of perspective drives better design – inclusive design starts with who is in the room
FAQ
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive (Directive 2019/882) that establishes common accessibility requirements for a wide range of products and services, including websites, e-commerce, banking apps, e-books, and self-service terminals. It became applicable across the EU on 28 June 2025, and in Germany it is implemented as the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG).
When does the BFSG take effect in Germany?
The BFSG takes effect on 28 June 2025. From that date, many private-sector digital products and services offered to consumers in Germany must meet the law's accessibility requirements, with limited exceptions for microenterprises and certain legacy products.
Who does the BFSG apply to?
The law primarily targets private companies that offer digital products or services to consumers in Germany – including e-commerce, banking, e-books, and transport ticketing. Microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees and under €2 million annual revenue) and a few specific product categories are exempt or face extended transition periods.
Why does accessibility matter for AI?
Websites and apps that use clear structure, semantic HTML, descriptive alt-text, and proper heading hierarchies are easier for large language models to crawl and interpret. Accessibility and AI-readiness tend to reinforce each other: what helps a screen reader usually helps a model too.
How can AI help meet accessibility requirements?
Modern AI tools can generate alt-text for images, auto-caption video, flag contrast issues, and review code for missing ARIA labels. They are useful as a first pass, but final accessibility work still needs a human reviewer – automated tools catch only a fraction of real-world issues.