What is User Experience Design (UX Design)?
User Experience Design (UX Design) focuses on analyzing and optimizing the usability of a product to enhance user satisfaction and accessibility. It’s about how a user perceives their experience when interacting with a product — whether it’s software, hardware, or a combination of both. At AMCON, we generally refer to UX in the context of software usage in combination with the hardware used in specific environments. We create intuitive and accessible solutions that are tailored to the needs of our users.
Examples at AMCON:
Software:
Windows applications
Mobile apps
Web applications
Websites
Hardware:
PCs and laptops
Smartphones and tablets
Ticket machines and point-of-sale systems
Specialized monitors (e.g., passenger displays in buses)
Usage Contexts:
Working in an office
On the go or outdoors
Environments with high noise levels
Usage on small screens or under stress
External factors such as strong sunlight or darkness
Accessibility: A Key Pillar of Modern UX
Accessibility is a core principle of modern UX design. It ensures that digital products are usable by people with a wide range of abilities and limitations. Designing for accessibility not only enables all users to benefit from digital solutions, but also improves overall user satisfaction and promotes inclusion.
Technologies that break down barriers
A common example of a technology originally designed as an assistive tool — now widely used — is autocomplete in text input. Similarly, voice control and smart assistants enhance convenience while also enabling many people to access digital tools. These features represent design that fosters true participation and inclusivity.
Legal Background of the BFSG
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG), or Accessibility Enhancement Act, is a German law passed on July 22, 2021, based on the EU Accessibility Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/882). It marks a significant step toward promoting and improving accessibility in both digital and physical products and services, thereby strengthening digital inclusion.
The law will come fully into effect by June 28, 2025, and will then also apply to the private sector, no longer limited to public institutions:
From June 28, 2025, all affected products and services must comply with the new BFSG requirements.
Products and services introduced before this date may still be used temporarily but must also be adapted to meet the requirements within a reasonable timeframe.
For this reason, accessibility should already be integrated into the design process today to meet future standards and actively promote inclusion.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Companies that fail to comply with the BFSG can face sanctions and legal consequences. As the BFSG is a legal obligation, violations may result in fines. Furthermore, lack of accessibility can also negatively impact a company’s brand reputation. Failure to meet accessibility standards may lead to loss of trust and credibility among customers.
On the other hand, accessible design not only meets legal requirements — it also presents an opportunity to position the company as inclusive and socially responsible.
Relevant Scope of the BFSG
The BFSG covers a broad range of products and services, requiring companies to ensure accessibility for certain digital and physical offerings. The scope includes, but is not limited to:
Digital services such as websites, mobile apps, and software accessible to the general public
Public transportation and ticket machines — all devices and information systems used in public transit must be accessible
E-commerce — online marketplaces and shops must ensure their platforms meet accessibility requirements
Products that are exclusively used by trained professionals and not accessible to the general public are exempt from these requirements.
The BFSG plays a crucial role in the public transport sector (ÖPNV). Professionals involved in procurement and salesof ticketing and control systems should be familiar with the law. Devices like ticket machines, ticketing web shops, and mobile apps fall under both the digital and physical product categories affected by the BFSG.
Requirements and Standards for UX Design and Accessibility
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) outlines specific requirements that digital products and services must fulfill. These guidelines are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which are internationally recognized as the standard for digital accessibility.
The core principles can be broken down into four key areas:
Perceivability
Information and user interfaces must be presented in ways that all users can perceive. This includes providing text alternatives for images and captions for audiovisual content.
Operability
Users must be able to interact with the interface without restrictions. All functionalities should be accessible via keyboard, and users should be given sufficient time to complete tasks.
Understandability
Content and navigation must be clear and predictable. This includes using consistent navigation structures, clear labeling, and comprehensible language.
Robustness
Content must be compatible with a wide range of assistive technologies, such as screen readers, ensuring that people with disabilities can use the system effectively.
In addition to the core accessibility principles, there are conformance levels that help evaluate how well the requirements are being met. These levels—A, AA, and AAA—are similar to energy efficiency labels. To comply with legal requirements under the BFSG, levels A and AA must be fulfilled.
A: Basic level – must-have for minimal accessibility
AA: Recommended standard – provides good accessibility for most users
AAA: Highest level – optimal but not mandatory
Detailed guidelines for these accessibility standards can be found directly on the WCAG website.
German-language guidance is available from Der Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Informationstechnik (The Federal Government Commissioner for Information Technology).
Relevance of the BFSG for UX Designers
The Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) challenges UX designers and developers to integrate accessibility from the very beginning of the design process. The law introduces clear standards that must be considered in the development of digital products and services. Key steps for UX professionals include:
Embedding accessibility into the design process: Just like any other design goal, accessibility should be a fixed part of early planning and product development.
Testing and prototyping: Regular testing with both assistive tools and real users with diverse impairments helps ensure real-world accessibility.
Understanding and applying standards: Familiarity with WCAG 2.1 and other accessibility frameworks provides a solid foundation for meeting BFSG requirements.
Training and continued education: Accessibility is a specialized discipline. Ongoing training helps teams stay current with best practices and legal developments.
Conclusion: Accessibility as a Core Principle of Modern UX Design
The BFSG represents a major step toward a more inclusive digital world. This is particularly true in the German public transportation sector, where purchasing tickets often presents a challenge due to a variety of tariffs, rules, and complex interfaces. Implementing BFSG standards can significantly improve the experience for all passengers.
For UX designers and developers, this means treating accessibility as a default standard, not an optional add-on. Meeting these legal requirements not only enhances user satisfaction but also ensures that digital and physical products can be used by everyone, regardless of ability.
Moreover, the law offers companies the opportunity to enhance their brand image, boost customer loyalty, and create innovative, inclusive solutions. Early and thorough implementation of accessibility standards is the key to building sustainable and future-ready products—software and hardware that truly moves everyone.
