Accessibility Glossary

glossary

• Accessibility

  "Accessibility" is the English word for "accessibilité".On the internet, this means that everyone has access to digital offerings, regardless of any cognitive or physical disabilities.

• Accessibility Act

  It has been in force since June 2025 and is called the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG) in Germany and the Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG) in Austria. Both countries are thus implementing the European Accessibility Act (EAA). See here.

  This blog article explains what the Accessibility Act is and what it means for Switzerland.

  In Switzerland, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) currently applies. See here.

• Accessibility or absence of barriers

  Accessibility means that everyone should be able to access something. In the analogue world, this requires infrastructure that is adapted for wheelchair users or visually impaired people, for example. On the internet, 'ramps' such as screen readers, video subtitles or easy-to-understand language enable people with physical and/or cognitive disabilities to participate.

  Tools from the Federal Department of Home Affairs for barrier-free communication

• Accessibility check

  Verification that a website offers accessible information and user-friendly navigation, and is therefore easily accessible to people with disabilities.

• Accessible PDF

  An accessible PDF is clearly structured and written in simple language. It contains tags for screen readers, alternative text for images and sufficient contrast. This makes it easier for people with visual, hearing or cognitive impairments to understand and use the content.

  Accessible PDFs are important for inclusion and are sometimes also required by law. This ensures that everyone has equal access to information.

• Active sentence

  In an active sentence, someone performs an action. A person is active. The sentence clearly indicates who is doing what.
  Example: Ali is reading a book. Texts
  written in the active voice are generally shorter and more direct, and therefore easier to read.

  See also passive sentence.

• Alternative text (Alt text)

  Alternative text describes what is visible in an image or video. Screen readers read this text aloud so that visually impaired people can know what is being depicted.

  Alternative text is essential for accessibility on the Internet. It is also referred to as alt attributes or alt tags.

• Compatibility with screen readers

  Screen reader compatibility refers to the adaptation of documents and websites so that they can be read by a screen reader. Screen reader-compatible content is structured in such a way that the screen reader reliably guides visually impaired people through the navigation and reads all important texts and content in an understandable way. This includes labelled links, correctly formatted headings, alternative texts for images and a clear page structure. These adaptations are important to ensure barrier-free access to digital information.

• Complex sentence

  A complex sentence is a long and complicated sentence with many commas and subordinate clauses. It is difficult to understand. It is better to split such a sentence into several sentences.

• Contrast

  Contrast describes the difference in brightness or colour between text and background on screens and paper. High contrast is important for people with visual impairments, as it makes content easier to recognise. It ensures that information is accessible without barriers.

• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

  Since 2004, this law has prohibited any discrimination against persons with disabilities in Switzerland. It aims to implement Article 8(2) of the Constitution and, since then, also the United Nations Convention, which Switzerland acceded to in 2014. See here.

  Under this law, public institutions, government agencies and many companies must make their infrastructure and information accessible to all in order to guarantee access for everyone. With regard to digital information, they must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). See here.

  According to those affected, the law is too slow to take effect, or even ineffective. That is why the Inclusion Initiative was launched in 2024. See here.

  For more information on the current legal situation, visit the federal government's website.

• Easy-to-read language

  Easy-to-read language is a version of everyday language. It corresponds to language level B1. In easy-to-read language, sentences are shorter and their structure is simpler. Where possible, it avoids foreign words, technical terms and metaphors.

  The AI tool capito.ai translates texts into easy-to-read language.

  See also Easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language levels
  

• Easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language (FALC)

  Easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language is a simplified version of standard language that makes information easier to understand.

  • Language level A1: simple, short sentences, familiar words
  • Language level A2: simple or longer sentences, common expressions, familiar topics

  FALC has been specially developed for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. That is why simplified language has its own clear rules, including spelling rules.

  This blog article explains the difference between easy-to-read language and easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language.

  The AI tool capito.ai translates texts into simplified language, i.e. at levels A1 or A2.

  See also Language levels

• European Accessibility Act (EAA)

  The European Accessibility Directive, adopted by Member States in 2019, aims to harmonise accessibility rules across the European Union. It stipulates that barriers must be removed so that products and services (e.g. online shops, websites and mobile applications) are equally accessible to all.

• Filler words

  Filler words are unnecessary words in a sentence. They are often found, but can easily be omitted. The content remains the same.

  Examples: well, so, actually, really, truly, quite

• Gender neutral/sex neutral

  Gender-neutral language promotes equality by addressing not only women and men, but also people with other gender identities. Care is taken to include all genders equally.

  Thanks to the AI tool capito.ai, texts can be written not only in language that is easy to understand and accessible to all, but also in gender-neutral language, so that they address and reach everyone.

• Hamburg comprehensibility model

  A model dating from around 1970 that determines the degree of comprehensibility of a text. This depends on four characteristics: the text is simple, structured, short and appeals to emotions.

• Inclusion initiative

  This popular initiative launched by the Association for an Inclusive Switzerland was successful in 2024. It calls for genuine equality, participation, self-determination and assistance for people with disabilities in all areas of life.

  The Federal Council has drawn up an indirect counter-proposal. Both proposals will be discussed during the 2026 spring session. The referendum is expected to take place by 2028.

  To find out more about the initiative, visit inklusions-initiative.ch.

• Language levels A1, A2, B1

  The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages classifies people's language proficiency into six levels, ranging from A1 (beginner) to C2 (expert).

  Language level A1

  Level A1 includes:

  • the most important information.
  • simple, short sentences.
  • basic vocabulary.

  Language level A2

  At language level A2, a person can "communicate in simple, routine situations involving a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and common topics". At language level A2, it is also important to use simple, short sentences and familiar words so that the person concerned can grasp and understand this information independently. Comprehensibility levels A1 and A2 correspond to simplified language.

  Language level B1

  Language level B1 corresponds to our everyday language and simplified language. People with this language level can communicate in familiar situations when clear and simple sentences are used.

  The AI tool capito.ai translates texts at language levels A1, A2 and B1.

  See also Easy-to-read language and easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language (FALC)

• Main clause

  A main clause is a complete sentence. It can be used on its own. In a good text, short and long sentences alternate.

• Nominal style

  Sentences containing many nouns. These sentences are difficult to understand. Nouns can often be replaced by a verb.

  
  Example: The Meier family likes hiking. Better: The Meier family likes to go hiking.

• Passive sentence

  The opposite of an active sentence is a passive sentence. Passive sentences indicate what is being done, but without specifying who is doing it. Passive sentences are less 'lively' and more difficult to read than active sentences.

  Example: The book is read. Better: Many children read the book.

• Screen reader

  A tool that reads aloud the content of documents or websites to visually impaired individuals and provides them with image descriptions.

• Set phrases

  Clichés are words or phrases that have little meaning. They are often used, but are useless. They hinder the flow of reading and make comprehension difficult.

  Examples: as I said, very honestly

• Synonym

  A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word.

  Examples:

  • helicopter – helicopter
  • to speak – to say
  • match – match
  • thing – object

  The AI tool from capito.ai automatically suggests simpler and more understandable alternatives to users.

• Syntax

  Syntax determines how words in a language are combined to form coherent sentences and which word order is grammatically correct. In German, for example, the sentence structure "Ich esse einen Apfel" (I eat an apple) is correct. "Einen Apfel esse ich" (I eat an apple) is also correct. "Esse ich Apfel einen" (I eat apple one) is incorrect.

• Subordinate clause

  A clause that depends on a main clause. It is never alone.

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-BRK)

  This international treaty of the United Nations (UN) enshrines the rights of persons with disabilities. It aims to ensure their full participation, on an equal basis, in all areas of life and also requires barrier-free communication. Switzerland acceded to this convention in 2014.

• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

  These guidelines ensure that website content is understandable and perceivable by different senses. Various technologies facilitate access to information. The WCAG require, among other things, that websites can be used with a keyboard and that the font size can be adjusted. In addition, the contrast between the text and the background must be high.