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Digital accessibility in medical practices: Why your website must be accessible to everyone from June 2025

From June 28, 2025, web accessibility will be mandatory — this also applies to the online presence of medical practices. We'll explain to you what you need to consider now and how you can make your website barrier-free.

5.6.2025
Lauren Müller
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output:  Moderner Krankenhausflur mit Empfang und Pflanzen.

Frequently asked questions

>As a doctor, am I legally obliged to make my website barrier-free?

From June 2025, the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) obliges many service providers to digital accessibility — including medical practices, in particular if they offer online appointment bookings or digital forms. It is therefore worthwhile to adapt your website accordingly early on.

>What are the benefits of an accessible website for my practice?

A barrier-free website improves usability, reaches more patients, such as elderly or disabled people, and also increases your site's Google ranking through clean technology and clear structure.

>How much does it cost to make a practice website barrier-free?

It depends on who is managing your website. If you do this yourself, minor optimizations (e.g. contrasts, alt texts, structure) can often be implemented with manageable effort. If the site is managed by an external provider, a complete relaunch with accessibility as a basis can cost mid-four-digit amounts — but is an investment in future security.

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In this article, you'll read:

Accessibility in the digital space is not a “nice-to-have” but a central component of modern patient communication. In this article, we show why barrier-free websites will soon be mandatory for medical practices and how you can optimize your practice website accordingly.

What does digital accessibility mean?

Digital accessibility means that a website can be used by all people without restrictions, regardless of disability, age or technical equipment. This applies, for example, to:

  • People with impaired vision or blindness who rely on screen readers
  • Users with motor disabilities who cannot use a mouse
  • People with cognitive disabilities who rely on simple language

A barrier-free website adapts to these requirements through a clear structure, sufficient contrasts, alternative navigation and understandable content.

Why should practices pay attention to accessibility?

1. Statutory requirements from 2025

With the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG), which comes into force in June 2025, digital accessibility will also be mandatory for many service providers — including potentially medical practices that offer certain digital services (such as online appointment booking or digital forms). Although it has not yet been finally clarified which practices will be specifically affected,: Those who act early have a clear advantage.

2. More reach and patient satisfaction

Around 10% of the population is considered to be permanently restricted in the use of digital services. With an accessible website, you can reach more people and show that your practice is open and patient-oriented.

3. Better Google ranking

Low-barrier websites are often also more technically clean, which positive effects on search engine optimization (SEO) has. Google prefers clearly structured pages with good readability, meaningful alt tags, and logical navigation.

What is part of an accessible practice website?

Here are a few key measures you can take to make your practice website digitally accessible:

Clear structure and navigation

  • Uniform menu navigation
  • Use heading hierarchies (H1—H3) correctly
  • No hidden or flickering elements

Good readability

  • Adequate contrast between text and background (e.g. black text on a white background)
  • Large enough font (at least 16px)
  • No block set (for better readability)

Alternative content

  • All images and graphics with alt texts provided
  • videos with Subtitles or provide transcriptions

keyboard operability

  • The website should completely via keyboard Be navigable
  • Do not remove focus indicators (e.g. visible borders during tab navigation)

Screen reader compatibility

  • Label forms and buttons correctly (e.g. using ARIA tags)
  • No empty links or purely graphical navigation elements

Get your website checked

There are various tools and agencies that test accessibility, such as with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or after Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV). Even a simple browser plug-in such as the “WAVE Accessibility Tool” can provide initial clues.

Conclusion: Accessibility is future-proof

A barrier-free website is not only an expression of respect for all patients — it is also a future-proof, legally relevant and SEO-effective component of your digital practice strategy.

Use the upcoming change for your practice and make your website fit for everyone.

The right barrier-free counterpart to your website: A digital workflow with Nelly. We will advise you free of charge and without obligation. Contact Nelly now!

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Lauren Müller

Marketing Manager @ Nelly Solutions

Lauren verantwortet den Blog sowie die Social Media Kanäle bei Nelly.

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