Digital accessibility is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a key component of future-proof digital solutions, as 15% of the population permanently rely on accessible digital services. In the energy sector, that means millions of customers. What was once often reduced to visual impairments and screen readers now encompasses much more: temporary limitations, different devices, and age-related changes. Digital barriers come in many forms – and removing them benefits everyone.
That only works when digital barriers are dismantled and UX design is developed inclusively – whether for people with disabilities, older users, customers on mobile devices, or anyone who simply wants straightforward services. The question is no longer “Do we need digital accessibility?” but rather “How can we implement it effectively for everyone’s benefit?”
With Yippie’s Digital Experience Platform (DXP), we aimed for more than just a beautiful interface. Our goal: to create a digital energy platform that is modern, powerful, and accessible at the same time. It was never about simply “meeting standards,” but about building a genuine user experience for everyone – through an agile, collaborative UX design process focused on Accessibility by Design.
Ergosign’s design and development team worked closely with Yippie’s web team: agile, interdisciplinary, and collaborative – with real users at the center and accessibility as an integral part of the development process. Together, we built the design system to be accessible from the ground up.
Colors, contrasts, semantic structure, hover states, and tab order were all precisely defined. In practice, this meant prioritizing clear, single-colored interactive elements. To guarantee ideal contrast, gradients were minimized and only used in backgrounds.
Accessible navigation of the website and order forms is ensured through well-thought-out keyboard control, focus handling, and precise ARIA labels. Hierarchies (H1, H2, etc.) are visually appealing, semantically consistent regardless of presentation, and technically correct for assistive technologies.
Handling error messages in forms and implementing them accessibly can be tricky. In our case, a design review with a blind user helped clarify open questions and led to an optimal solution.
Accessibility only comes to life when real perspectives are included. That’s why usability testing was a core part of the Yippie project. Direct feedback from people with different impairments – such as a blind user testing the ordering process with a screen reader – proved invaluable. These insights helped us identify potential stumbling blocks early and implement precise solutions. The result: a platform that truly works for all users in everyday life.
Accessibility succeeds only through true teamwork – when all stakeholders understand not just the how but also the why. Close alignment between design and development, as well as user testing insights, are especially valuable.
Addressing accessibility early and fundamentally saves effort later and ensures legal compliance through WCAG conformity.
Accessibility always improves user experience for everyone, while also boosting website performance, SEO, and conversion rates.
It strengthens the image of a sustainable, inclusive company that includes everyone.
Yippie’s platform is now not only inclusive but also stable, scalable, and future-ready. This demonstrates that accessibility isn’t extra effort – it’s real added value, for users and for Yippie as a digital energy provider.
A special highlight: an independent audit confirmed the platform’s accessibility according to BITV 2.0 / EN 301 549. Additionally, it achieved a perfect Lighthouse score of 100%. For us, this result is proof that consistent Accessibility by Design not only meets standards but also delivers visible success – driven by conviction and measurable impact.
We’re not resting on our achievements. We continue to develop, test, and improve – with genuine user centricity and accessibility as the standard. Because those who want to shape digital energy for tomorrow must include everyone today. Get in touch with us. Together, we’ll make energy accessible – and future-proof.
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