Every day, millions of people rely on the internet to learn, work, and live – yet for many, the digital world remains full of invisible barriers. From unreadable navigation menus to inaccessible forms, the online experience can be frustrating or even impossible for users with disabilities.

But what if we could build websites where accessibility is not an afterthought, but a standard? TYPO3, the powerful and flexible CMS trusted across Europe, gives developers and content teams the tools to create truly inclusive digital experiences. In this article, we’ll explore how TYPO3 empowers teams to build for everyone – and why digital inclusion is no longer optional.

But how exactly does TYPO3 support accessibility? And why should organizations make it a strategic priority?

Why Accessibility Matters Now More Than Ever

1. Legal Compliance
In Germany, the BITV 2.0 (Barrierefreie Informationstechnik-Verordnung) mandates that public-sector websites must be accessible. The upcoming Barrier-Free Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) will expand this requirement to many private sector digital services by 2025.

2. Social Responsibility & User Experience
Around 10 million people in Germany live with a disability. Add to that the elderly, users with temporary impairments, or low digital literacy – and you begin to see that TYPO3 accessibility benefits a wide user base, not just a small segment.

3. SEO and Usability Benefits
Many accessibility practices overlap with SEO and UX best practices: clean HTML, semantic headings, alt text, keyboard navigation, and proper contrast. Improving accessibility almost always improves overall user experience and site performance.

How TYPO3 Supports Accessibility

TYPO3 is widely used in the public sector, universities, and enterprise-grade websites – all environments where accessibility is non-negotiable. Here’s how TYPO3 helps:

1. Semantic Markup and Structural Control
TYPO3 uses a strict separation between content and design. Developers can control templates and ensure clean semantic HTML, proper heading structure, and ARIA roles for screen readers.
2. Accessibility Extensions
TYPO3 offers several useful extensions that support accessible content creation and review:

• a11y: Checks pages for accessibility issues
• accessibility: Adds admin tools for auditing and guidance
• yoast_seo: Helps optimize content structure and clarity 3. Editor-Friendly Backend TYPO3’s backend can be configured to guide editors in creating accessible content, such as mandatory alt text fields, content warnings for contrast issues, or proper labeling in forms.

Practical Tips for Building Accessible TYPO3 Sites

• Use headings correctly (H1 > H2 > H3...) – don’t skip levels
• Avoid using tables for layout
• Always provide meaningful alt text – or mark images as decorative when appropriate
• Ensure all interactive elements (menus, sliders, forms) are keyboard- and screenreader-friendly
• Use testing tools like axe, WAVE, or browser accessibility trees regularly

Conclusion: Accessibility Is Not a Feature – It’s a Foundation

Web accessibility is an ongoing process. TYPO3 offers the tools and flexibility needed to make websites inclusive and legally compliant. But the real change comes from teams adopting a mindset of inclusion at every step – from planning to development to content updates.

The technology is here. Let’s use it to build a more inclusive digital world.