Embedding Accessibility at the Core of Product Development

Building Products That Work for Everyone, Everywhere

At Beta Systems, accessibility is not a checkbox at the end of a project – it’s a strategic imperative woven into every stage of the product development lifecycle. With the increasing emphasis on inclusive technology and evolving legal requirements worldwide, our commitment to accessibility has taken a decisive leap forward.

By fully integrating accessibility knowledge, tools, and standards into our Beta Design System, we ensure that every team – from product managers to designers to developers – is empowered to build accessible products from day one.

Laying the Groundwork: Accessibility Foundation

Accessibility starts with awareness. We’ve built a comprehensive internal knowledge base that breaks down:

• The relevant legal frameworks (WCAG 2.2, Accessible Information Technology Ordinance – BITV 2.0, Accessibility Strengthening Act – BFSG)

• Their implications for our product suite

• Practical guidance tailored for different roles in the product development lifecycle

This foundational layer ensures our teams understand what is required, why it matters, and how it applies to their specific work areas.

Design Library: Turning Guidelines into Applicable Practice

Our Design Library is the central hub for accessible design. It provides:

• All relevant WCAG success criteria, translated into designer-friendly explanations with usage recommendations

• Built-in WCAG review checkpoints before components move into development

No UI component is designed in isolation – accessibility is treated as a functional and aesthetic requirement, not a constraint.

Component Library: Practical Tools for Developers

For developers, we’ve translated accessibility from concept to code. Every component in the Component Library includes:

• Clear documentation of applicable WCAG success criteria

• Developer-specific notes on implementation and edge cases

• Patterns for ARIA labeling, focus management, and keyboard navigation

This ensures that developers aren’t left to interpret standards alone. They’re equipped with the exact tools needed to deliver accessible outcomes.

Quality Assurance: Built-In, Not Bolted On

Accessibility testing is fully embedded in our quality assurance process:

• Design reviews include dedicated accessibility checkpoints

• Manual functional testing is performed for critical flows and components

• Automated accessibility tests are run regularly to cover WCAG criteria

This hybrid approach ensures coverage, accuracy, and continuous feedback, making accessibility a consistent quality measure, not a one-time task.

Sustained Impact: A Culture of Inclusive Development

Accessibility at Beta Systems is built on three guiding principles:

• A clear and public commitment to inclusive product development

• Role-specific, accessible knowledge resources that empower teams

• A lifecycle approach that integrates accessibility from design to deployment

By embedding these values into our systems and processes, accessibility becomes more than a compliance goal – it becomes a catalyst for innovation, usability, and customer trust.

What This Means for Our Users

Every user – regardless of ability – should be able to experience the full value of our products. Our enhanced accessibility focus ensures:

• Better user experiences for all, not just for people with disabilities

• Faster compliance with evolving global regulations

• A design culture rooted in empathy, clarity, and inclusion

Next Steps

We continue to invest in:

• Evolving our accessibility knowledge base as laws and standards change

• Expanding automated and AI-based accessibility testing

• Training and enabling cross-functional teams

Accessibility isn’t a milestone, it’s an ongoing journey and we’re proud to lead by example.

Would you like to learn more about accessible design and the Beta Design System? We look forward to hearing from you!