Make Your TYPO3 Website Accessible to Everyone: A Complete Guide

Web accessibility is a term we often hear these days, but how many websites truly follow accessibility standards? A recent study revealed that over 96% of the world’s top one million web pages are inaccessible. This means only 4% of online websites are truly barrier-free websites, leaving the vast majority of users with disabilities unable to access them.

Questions: What can businesses and developers do to create an inclusive online space?

Making your website accessible is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. It ensures everyone can access your content and services regardless of ability. Moreover, it’s a win-win situation for users, who get a seamless experience, and businesses, which benefit from increased reach, improved reputation, and legal compliance.

This article dives into why web accessibility is crucial and how you can implement it on your website—particularly using Open Source CMS TYPO3, a robust CMS known for its flexibility and accessibility-friendly features. 

If you’re using TYPO3, you already have the TYPO3 Extensions to create an accessible site. But why should it be at the top of your list?

• Avoid Penalties: Non-compliance with accessibility laws can lead to legal action and fines.
• Better Conversions: By removing barriers, you make it easier for all users to complete actions, like signing up or making a purchase.
• Stay Competitive: An accessible website sets you apart and shows that you value every user.

Here are common barriers users might face on a non-accessible website:

• Images without alt text make it impossible for screen readers to describe visuals.
• The poor color contrast makes the text hard for visually impaired users to read.
• Videos without captions exclude those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Menus and forms that can’t be navigated via keyboard limit usability.

By addressing these barriers, you’re making your TYPO3 website a more inclusive space.

Not all themes are created equal. Look for TYPO3 templates designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring they meet WCAG standards. You can easily purchase or obtain these themes from TYPO3 agencies or TYPO3 Shop that specialize in providing such solutions.

TYPO3 Bootstrap packages are originally based on the Bootstrap CSS framework. This technology is particularly helpful for accessibility features such as screen readers, screen magnification, and other assistive tools that improve the usability of websites for all users.

TYPO3 has a range of extensions that can enhance accessibility, such as screen reader compatibility or improved navigation. Check the TER (TYPO3 Extension Repository) for accessible options.

Use headings, lists, and tables properly to structure your content. TYPO3’s rich text editor makes it simple to create organized and easy-to-navigate content. You can also create AI-powered content in the TYPO3 Backend using the TYPO3 AI Extension. Here is how it works.

Ensure high contrast between text and background colors and avoid small fonts. TYPO3’s customizable templates allow you to adjust these settings.

Sometimes, extensions like T3AI provide voice-over features for your news, blogs, and pages, making your content accessible through audio. With T3AI, you can easily add voice-over functionality to your TYPO3 website, ensuring your content is accessible to users who prefer or rely on audio. See how TYPO3 AI can help you create content voice-overs effortlessly.

Some users rely on a keyboard rather than a mouse. Test your TYPO3 website to make sure it’s fully operable with just a keyboard.

Set Text Content Readable

Keep your language simple and clear. TYPO3 supports multilingual content, so you can localize your text for different audiences while maintaining readability.

Use Well-Structured HTML for Better Parsing

Properly structured HTML is essential for accessibility in TYPO3. TYPO3 generates clean HTML, but you should also validate your code to ensure it’s error-free.

Say No to Flashing Content

Blinking or flashing content might seem like a way to grab attention, but it can create serious accessibility issues. For some users, this type of content isn’t just distracting.

Accessibility in Media Content

Add transcripts and captions for audio and video content. TYPO3 makes it easy to embed media and add accessibility features like captions.

With the Help of Some well-known extensions like T3AI TYPO3 AI Extension allows you to generate AI audios, voice-overs, and much more.

Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure compliance:

WCAG: Global Accessibility Guidelines

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international rules for making web content accessible to everyone. There are three levels:

• A: Basic accessibility.
• AA: Recommended level for most organizations.
• AAA: The highest level, for the best accessibility.

EN 301: Europe’s Accessibility Standard

The EN 301 549 standard ensures digital products and services are accessible across Europe. Based on WCAG 2.1 (soon to include WCAG 2.2 updates), it provides rules to help organizations:

• Meet legal requirements.
• Create better experiences for all users.

BITV 2.0: Germany’s Accessibility Guidelines

In Germany, BITV 2.0 sets specific rules for web accessibility, following these principles:
Perceivable: Content should be easy to see, hear, or read (e.g., use alt text for images).

• Operable: Make sure users can navigate with a keyboard.
• Understandable: Keep information clear and simple.
• Robust: Ensure compatibility with tools like screen readers.

BITV 2.0 builds on EN 301 549 but includes stricter rules, like ensuring PDFs are accessible. While public institutions must follow BITV 2.0, private companies should at least meet WCAG standards.

Making your TYPO3 website accessible isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about creating a better experience for all your users. By prioritizing accessibility, you’re opening up your website to a wider audience, improving SEO, and showing your commitment to inclusivity.

Start implementing these steps today, and build a TYPO3 website that truly works for everyone.

Let’s Build a Barrier-Free TYPO3 Web Together!

If you want to make your TYPO3 site truly barrier-free, we are excited to announce the very first accessibility extension built directly into TYPO3. Join our Accesstive Early Access Beta Program and enjoy exclusive benefits today!