What does website accessibility mean to begin with?
Ultimately, the goal is to give everyone, no matter what limitations they may be struggling with, the ability to independently access all of a website's functions and information, without exception, with a reasonable amount of time and energy.
On the one hand, the social aspect alone should be motivation enough for implementation. It is completely logical to install wheelchair ramps or elevators to enable physical access for people with limited walking ability and thus to recognize and integrate them as full members of society. It should be equally logical to facilitate virtual access to websites for people with visual, cognitive, or various other disabilities. One difference is that the latter problem is less obvious to the unaffected. Often, people don't initially see their limitation and find it difficult to put themselves in their shoes. How often was I personally considered stupid and also called so because I could not read something in public. Fortunately, I do not perceive astonished or derogatory looks. Besides, access to the virtual usually takes place at home, where outsiders cannot see the difficulties someone may have.
As a society in a welfare state such as Germany, but also in many other countries in Europe and the world, I believe it is our task to give everyone equal access to public space and thus also to theInternet .
A second, more material reason is, as always, money. Quite logically, anyone who does not design their website to be accessible ensures that several million people in Germany alone will find it difficult, if not impossible, to gain access. These can be paying customers or simply people looking for information. Ultimately, this leads to less traffic and therefore less value for the site. As a restricted person, I will always choose a site that makes it easier for me to use, and people without such problems will also do so to express their support and solidarity.
Therefore, comprehensive accessibility on all websites on all platforms is only to be recommended for all parties involved and should be our aspired goal.
