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Saving on accessibility means paying a price.
Saving society - August 2025

Mit Domingos de Oliveira (netz-barrierefrei.de):

Externalizing costs is a cumbersome term for a simple thing: someone saves money at the expense of others. Digital accessibility is a good example: if a person can't order online, they have to find workarounds – for example, buying the product locally at a significantly higher price or taking up the time of someone else who can help. If you can't make a bank transfer online, you have to go to the nearest bank branch, which is often far away. Now, from a business perspective, this initially seems reasonable – until you do the math: the customer chooses Shop X because it's accessible, and against Shop Y because it isn't. So, you've saved money in the short term on making things accessible, only to fall behind the competition in the long run.

Interesting articles

Developer Maria Korneeva has just published a book on accessible web development.

Interview with Maria Korneeva about her book on accessible web development

The companies adesso, Pfennigparade and mindscreen have published a guide on the topic of two-factor authentication. Accessibility of two-factor authentication methods

This article discusses the accessible design of labels for UI elements.

Designing accessible signage

The AI Code sets out rules for the use of AI for Plain Language.

Code of Conduct for the Use of Artificial Intelligence for Plain Language - PDF

A critical article about the work of a major funding organization in digital accessibility.

How Aktion Mensch gradually abandoned digital accessibility

In web applications, keyboard focus often needs to be controlled. This article discusses common errors.

Focus management – common mistakes and recommendations

Catalogue of questions and answers on the Accessibility Strengthening Act.

Catalogue of questions and answers on the Accessibility Strengthening Act

This article deals specifically with the transitional periods in the BFSG.

Accessibility Strengthening Act and grandfathering: Grandfathering for products and services

Continuing in English: In France, the first complaints have already been filed under the European Accessibility Act.

Are European Retailers Ready for Digital Accessibility?

This guide helps with testing apps for accessibility.

Practical guide to mobile accessibility testing

This article argues that color should not, even as an exception, be used as the sole identifying characteristic for information or differences.

Color alone can be used to convey meaning, and I don't like it!

Microsoft wants to give greater prominence to sign language in video communication within Teams.

Centering Sign Language in AI and design

This article argues that female developers also have very self-serving reasons for giving greater consideration to accessibility.

Selfish reasons for building accessible UIs

Good news of the month

Mastercard is introducing special cards for blind people.

Mastercard to introduce special cards for the visually impaired people

The US wants to improve the data situation regarding disabled people.

How States Are Using New Data to Boost Accessibility

An initiative in the USA aims to make hockey more accessible.

Hockey for allThe Scouts, American Boy Scouts, want to make their camps more accessible.

How Scouting America is making its camps even more accessible to Scouts with special needs

An app helps blind cricket fans in London find their way around the stadium.

'Amazing for blind people': app helps cricket fan find way around Lord's

Martell launches first Barbie with type 1 diabetes.

Barbie® Introduces First-Ever Barbie Doll with Type 1 Diabetes to Expand Representation and Inspire

Xbox games now display the accessibility information for games.

Accessible Games Initiative Tags Now Available Across All Digital Xbox Experiences

In Germany, a service called Real Time Text (RTT) is available. This allows text to be transmitted during a phone call.

German mobile network operators launch real-time text messaging

Apple will highlight accessible apps for iOS in the future with so-called Nutrition Labels.

Overview of Accessibility Nutrition Labels

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