Accessibility with substance
How we make accessibility understandable and achievable
UX Services:
- Accessibility Audit
- Accessibility Consulting
- Dev Handoff
- Quality assurance
Starting situation
Originally, Energymarket.solutions wanted to have one of their brand’s order process tested, but accessibility was a side issue. It quickly became clear that the implementation was more complex than expected.
Project Objective
The journey of changing the energy provider was to be designed to be completely accessible. At the same time, the team should be enabled to continue working independently.
Result
Today, the journey of changing the provider is largely accessible. Further measures are specifically named in the accessibility declaration. The project’s learnings can now also be incorporated into other areas.
Week Audit
Criteria checked
Tickets
Months of project duration
Realistic advice on a clear accessibility strategy
Originally, Energymarket.solution approached us with the request to have the order process of one of their brands checked by a UX test. At the same time, the team was already dealing with the question: How do we make our services accessible? Hopes were high that a few technical plugins would quickly complete the implementation. The fact is, however, that plugins do not find all problems and also like to sound false alarms. Not a reliable solution for a truly accessible website.
For this reason, we carried out a detailed accessibility audit following the UX tests – with an honest result: there were still many open issues. These findings turned the previous planning of energymarket.solution upside down, but at the same time were the starting point for an intensive rethink.
From UX testing to your own accessibility competence
How an initial review sparked sustainable change
Accessibility Audit
As part of a UX test, we carried out a supplementary audit. The results showed specific optimization potential and led to a realignment of the accessibility strategy.
Developer Handoff
All identified barriers were documented as understandable, well-structured tickets, including tips and information on implementation.
Quality assurance
The measures were implemented step by step by the development team and continuously reviewed by us.
Transfer to other products
Energy Market Solutions can now transfer the solutions developed to other brands of the company.
Accessibility statement
Thanks to the audit and the optimizations, the current status could be precisely recorded in the accessibility declaration and communicated transparently.
How Accessibility Became a Reality
Today, the ordering process is largely accessible, except for PDFs, which are to follow in a next step. The newly gained knowledge has already been transferred to other products. The company’s accessibility statement now also contains precise information on the status and the next steps.
An aha moment was dealing with dynamic form fields, which change depending on the selection (e.g. private or business customer) – a real hurdle for screen readers. Contrast errors, unlabeled icons or the lack of alternative navigation paths were also identified and corrected.
“Accessibility is more complex than we thought; a plugin alone is insufficient. Userlutions provided us with honest advice and empowered us with their easy-to-understand explanations and practical implementation tips.”
Kirsten Hering
Corporate communications
Energy Market Solutions
How can we help?
Free and non-binding consultation
Birgit Bärnreuther
Head of Consulting
+49 30 / 544 870 24
(Mon to Fri from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)