PIPELINEGuide
Accessible Website: Process, approach and what we need from you
The process for an accessible website from the first question to ongoing operation — including what you need to contribute for it to work.
An accessible website project runs in 4 steps: from “Audit” to “Document,” a total of 3 to 6 weeks. Each step ends with a clear sign-off before the next one begins.
01 — Process
The steps in detail
Audit
Automated testing finds about a third of the issues. The rest requires manual testing — keyboard, screen reader, magnification.
Prioritize
What blocks use, what is a cosmetic flaw. That's the order in which issues are fixed.
Fix
Implementation, mostly in design and markup, less often in functionality.
Document
Re-audit, report, and accessibility statement for the website.
02 — Participation
What we need from you
- A contact person who can make decisions — not just forward them.
- Access to the affected systems, in time and not on launch day.
- Real examples from daily business — the messier, the more useful for testing.
- Two to four hours for coordination, distributed over the project duration.
- An answer to the question of what success means. Without it, nothing can be assessed afterward.
03 — Scope
What's included
- Testing against WCAG 2.1 Level AA, automated and manual
- Keyboard operability throughout the entire flow, including forms
- Contrast, font sizes, and focus indication
- Meaningful alt text and correct heading structure
- Forms with labels and clear error messages
- Audit report and accessibility statement as documentation
04 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is an accessibility overlay sufficient?
No. These overlays do not fix the underlying problems and are largely rejected by disability advocacy groups. They can even create additional barriers. Accessibility is created in the markup, not in a layer on top.
What is the most common error?
Forms without linked labels and controls that cannot be reached with the keyboard. Both go unnoticed by anyone working with a mouse — and make the site unusable for others.
Does this also apply to PDF documents on the website?
Yes, if they contain essential information — such as price lists or downloadable forms. PDFs must also be structured with alternative texts.
Can we implement this step by step?
Yes, by priority: first the defects that completely block usage, then those that make it difficult. This can be spread across several stages without taking the site offline in the meantime.
How much work is involved for an existing site?
It varies widely. A well-built site often only needs contrast corrections, alternative texts, and focus indicators. A site with custom-built controls without keyboard support can be more work than building from scratch.
How long does a complete audit take?
For a medium-sized website, one to two weeks, depending on the number of different page types and interactive elements such as forms or filters.
Are we affected by the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz?
The Austrian Accessibility Act has been in force since June 28, 2025, and primarily applies to online services in the consumer sector: online shops, bookings, e-ticketing, banking services. Microenterprises with fewer than ten employees and less than two million euros in revenue are exempt for services — but not for the sale of products. A purely informational site without sales is generally not covered.
05 — Decision
How to move forward
The most affordable next step is a conversation, not a quote. Twenty minutes is usually enough to clarify whether a project makes sense, what scope it involves, and whether we're the right fit.
If we're not, we'll say so. An honest no costs less than a project you abandon after three months — for both sides.
06 — Next
Related pages
- Accessible Website — Overview
- Accessible Website — Duration
- Accessible Website — Provider Comparison
- Accessible Website — Ongoing Operations
- Accessible Website — Common Errors
- Accessible Website — Small Businesses
- Accessible Website — Requirements
- Accessible Website — Checklist
- Have a website created
- Web design
- Website relaunch
- All guides
Accessible Website by Region
Next step
We'll look at your starting position.
Tell us what's eating up time today. That becomes an assessment with effort and benefit — and only then an offer.