The Disturbing Reality: 80% of Websites Violate BFSG
Since June 28, 2025, Austria's Accessibility Act (BFSG) has been in force. Our automated scans of more than 500 Austrian business websites show: More than 80% have at least one critical error.
The good news: Most errors are quick to fix. Here are the 5 most common — with concrete solutions.
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Error #1: Missing Alt Text for Images
Frequency: 73% of scanned websites
Images without alt text are invisible to screen reader users. If someone with visual impairment visits your site, instead of hearing about your product, they hear "image" or nothing at all.
Quick fix (5 minutes):
- WordPress: Click on image → "Alternative Text" field → enter descriptive text
- HTML: Add
alt="description"to every - Decorative images:
alt=""signals screen readers: "Don't read this"
WCAG criterion: 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A — critical)
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Error #2: Insufficient Color Contrast
Frequency: 67% of scanned websites
Gray text on white background may look modern — but is unreadable for people with visual impairment. WCAG 2.1 AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.
Check: Enter your colors into the WebAIM Contrast Checker (free).
WCAG criterion: 1.4.3 Contrast (Level AA — required for BFSG)
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Error #3: Not Keyboard Accessible
Frequency: 45% of scanned websites
Test yourself: Press Tab on your website. Does the focus navigate visibly through all interactive elements? Many websites hide the focus outline (outline: none) — a critical BFSG violation.
Quick fix: Replace outline: none with :focus { outline: 2px solid #0066cc; }
WCAG criterion: 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A — critical)
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Error #4: Missing Form Labels
Frequency: 38% of scanned websites
Contact forms without visible labels are confusing for screen reader users. Placeholder text is not a substitute — it disappears when typing.
WCAG criterion: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A — critical)
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Error #5: Missing or Wrong Page Language
Frequency: 29% of scanned websites
The lang attribute in the tag is the simplest fix — and one of the most commonly forgotten. Screen readers use it to determine correct pronunciation.
<!-- Austrian German: -->
<html lang="de-AT">WCAG criterion: 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A — critical)
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Check Your Website for Free
With the free quick check at BFSG-Scan.at, you can check your website in 60 seconds for these and other errors.
Free scan covers: Alt texts, color contrast, keyboard accessibility, form labels, page language, heading hierarchy.
Paid audit (€290) additionally: Full WCAG 2.1 AA check (50+ criteria), manual screen reader testing, prioritized issue list with fix instructions, conformity declaration (required for BFSG proof), 12 months validity.
Start now — the free scan is always free.