Accessibility & usability in case management software: An opportunity for a better user experience

Digitalization simplifies many everyday processes – from registering a child for school to organizing patient records or legal cases. However, access to digital solutions is not a given for everyone. Accessibility and user-friendliness are particularly crucial in the area of ​​case management software, which is used by various groups of people.

Why is accessibility important?

Access for all: Accessibility means designing digital applications so that they can be used by everyone. An accessible software interface is key to ensuring that no one is excluded. This is particularly important because case management software is often used in sensitive areas such as education, healthcare, or social services, where direct access to essential services is crucial.

Competitive advantage through inclusionAccessible software is not only a legal obligation, but also a competitive advantage. It ensures a better user experience and increases the satisfaction of all users, including external target groups such as parents, students, or patients.

Legal requirements for accessibility

In Switzerland, there are specific legal requirements and recommendations designed to ensure that digital services are accessible. These include:

  • Disability Equality Act (BehiG): This law demands equality for people with disabilities and stipulates that digital services must be accessible.
  • Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of WCAG 2.1: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines They are internationally recognized and serve as a basis for accessible web and software development.
  • eCH-0059 Accessibility Standard of the Federal Government: This standard describes the accessibility requirements for digital offerings and is strongly based on the WCAG guidelines.

Practical application of case management solutions with public websites regarding accessibility

There is a wide range of tools that can be used to determine accessibility:

Practical implementation: How does your software ensure accessibility?

The WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 comprise four principles:

Perceptibility
  • Adjust link styles: Links within the text should not be highlighted solely by color. Additional markers such as icons, underlines, or background areas make them perceptible even to people with color vision deficiencies.
  • Sufficient color contrasts: Text and background must be clearly distinguishable to ensure readability and navigation. Color contrasts help both people with visual impairments and those using devices in difficult lighting conditions.
  • Provision of text alternatives: All meaningful images should have alt text, and essential information from infographics must also be accessible to screen readers.
usability
  • Keyboard accessibility: All functions, from navigation to interactive elements, must be fully operable via the keyboard. It is particularly important that the path to a destination (e.g., to a PDF) is just as accessible as the destination itself.
  • Click areas and movements: Clickable areas should be large enough to be easily used by people with motor impairments. Content should not contain distracting movements, nervous animations, or flickering images to avoid causing strain, for example, for people with epilepsy.
Comprehensibility
  • Clear navigation and text: The structure of a website should be intuitive to use. Technical terms and abbreviations must be explained.
  • Assistance with forms: Example texts or instructions make it easier to fill out input fields and ensure clarity.
  • Talking links: Links should be descriptive so that their function is clear even without context.
robustness
  • Maximum technical compatibility: Content should be compatible with current and future user agents and assistive technologies.
  • Semantically correct code: A correct title hierarchy, descriptive links, and standardized tables make it easier for screen readers to read the content aloud.
  • Device-independent use: The website should be optimally scalable across various devices, from desktops to mobile devices. This includes adjusting font sizes and considering situations where a device is fixed in place (e.g., when used by people in wheelchairs).

Conclusion: Accessibility as a core component of modern software

Accessibility and usability go hand in hand. They not only create a better user experience but also contribute to a positive company image. Accessibility is not just an obligation, but an opportunity to develop software that is equally usable for everyone. We would be happy to discuss your specific requirements with your company in a no-obligation workshop. Contact us for more information.

We would be happy to show you the essential technical aspects for a secure and data protection-compliant solution in a non-binding demo and also support you with organizational adjustments.

Accessibility Case Management