Glossary of Digital Accessibility: Key Terms Explained
In the world of web development and legal compliance, many technical terms appear that may seem complicated at first glance. To help you stay on top of things in 2026, we have summarized the most important terms related to digital inclusion. This glossary will help you better understand both legal requirements and the needs of your users.
A – F: From Alt Texts to Focus Management
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Alt Text | A textual description of images. Essential for blind users, as screen readers read this text aloud when the image cannot be seen. |
| ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) | A technical standard that makes complex web content (like dynamic menus) more understandable for assistive technologies. |
| Assistive Technologies | Software or hardware (e.g., screen readers, braille displays) that help people with disabilities use computers. |
| BITV 2.0 | The German Barrier-Free Information Technology Regulation. It defines accessibility standards for public institutions. |
| Focus Indicator | A visual marker (often a border) that shows which element is currently selected via keyboard. Without it, navigation is impossible for many users. |
G – P: From Legislation to the POUR Principle
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| BFSG | The Barrier-Free Strengthening Act. From 2025/2026, it also requires private companies to ensure accessibility. Details at Regulations. |
| Braille Display | A device that translates screen content into braille so blind people can read text tactually. |
| Contrast Ratio | The color difference between text and background. Level AA usually requires a ratio of 4.5:1. Color blindness is not the same. |
| POUR Principle | The four pillars of accessibility: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust. |
S – Z: From Semantics to WCAG
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Screen Reader | Software that translates screen content into speech or braille. Requires a technically clean website. |
| Semantic HTML | The use of HTML tags according to their meaning (e.g., <nav>). This provides a significant SEO boost through accessibility. |
| Keyboard Navigation | Controlling a website exclusively via keyboard (usually the Tab key). Essential for people with motor impairments. |
| WCAG | “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.” The global standard for accessibility, divided into levels A, AA, and AAA. |
Why Terms Alone Are Not Enough
A glossary helps with understanding, but active implementation is the crucial step. In 2026, digital accessibility is not an “extra,” but a quality feature for every professional website. It protects you from legal warnings and improves the User Experience for all your visitors.
Do you want to check how many of these terms are already correctly implemented on your site? Start a first assessment with our Digital Accessibility Checklist or learn about the specific requirements for your industry on our page about Legal Requirements.