Preparing Businesses for the European Accessibility Act and the Future of Digital Accessibility

Stay compliant, win trust, and future-proof your digital experience. 

If you work in the IT industry or a related field, you’re likely familiar with the concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). However, can a product be considered viable if it lacks digital accessibility, even at a minimum level? An accessible MVP moves from a best practice to a legal and ethical necessity.

In this article, I will guide you through ensuring your products are accessible, compliant, and usable for individuals with disabilities while aligning with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Understanding and implementing EAA compliance is critical for future-proofing digital products and meeting upcoming accessibility regulations across the European Union.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a legal framework designed to standardize digital accessibility requirements across the European Union. Its primary goal is to ensure that websites, digital products, and online content are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. Accessibility is not just a feature or competitive advantage but a legal obligation. Compliance with the EAA will be mandatory starting June 28, 2025, and organizations must take steps now to ensure their digital experiences meet the required accessibility standards.

Inaccessible websites can prevent millions of users from completing everyday tasks, turning the internet from a powerful empowerment tool into a source of frustration.

Digital accessibility improves user experience. Consider accessibility as the big sister of usability: broader, deeper, and essential for everyone.

Moreover, enhancing accessibility can significantly boost SEO performance, strengthen brand reputation, and reduce the risk of legal non-compliance. Sounds beneficial, right?

According to a 2024 Eurostat report, 30.6% of Romania’s population lives with a disability. That’s approximately 5.78 million individuals relying on accessible digital and physical products. When I first began exploring accessibility, this figure deeply impacted me. Percentages might seem abstract, but when translated into real people, it becomes clear: by neglecting accessibility, we’re potentially excluding nearly 6 million users in Romania alone.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) applies to a broad range of consumer-facing products, whether based in the EU or aimed at the EU market.  

In summary, this includes:

1. Computers and Operating Systems: These must provide accessible software and interfaces for all users.

    

2. Payment Terminals and Self-Service Machines: Devices such as ATMs and ticketing kiosks must comply with accessibility standards.

    

3. Smartphones and Telecommunications Equipment: Accessibility features like voice commands and screen readers are essential.

    

4. Television and Digital Equipment: Televisions and set-top boxes must support features such as subtitles and audio descriptions.

    

5. Telephony and Telecommunications: Services should be designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, particularly those with hearing or visual impairments.

    

6. Transport: Websites, apps, and e-ticketing systems for buses, trains, and planes must adhere to accessibility regulations.

    

7. Consumer Banking: Online and mobile banking platforms must offer accessible interfaces to their digital services.

    

8. E-Books Access and E-Commerce Platforms: These platforms should meet accessibility standards, including compatibility with screen readers.

    

9. Enterprise Platforms, SaaS Companies, and B2B Products: These also fall under the scope of accessibility requirements. 
    

You may not be subject to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) if your company has fewer than 10 employees, operates exclusively as a service provider, and has a turnover of under €2 million. However, making your products and content accessible is not just a compliance issue; it’s a critical step toward future-proofing your business and maximizing your growth potential.

Don’t wait until it’s mandated; take the initiative now to enhance your accessibility. If you have doubts about your compliance or need guidance, we are here to empower you on this journey. 

At the core of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) are the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which provide a technical framework for digital accessibility. Additionally, there are specific legal requirements businesses must follow. It’s important to note that companies operating in the EU market need to ensure their digital products and services comply with EN 301 549, a European standard that outlines detailed accessibility requirements for Information and Communication Technology.

If you are a developer, product designer, or business owner, it is essential to understand the key differences between these three standards.

According to WCAG 2.2 AA, every digital product must adhere to four fundamental principles:

1. Perceivable Content: Ensure all users can perceive content, regardless of physical or sensory limitations. This can be achieved by adding descriptive alternative text (alt text) for images, providing video captions or transcripts, and structuring content for compatibility with screen readers.

2. Operable Design: Make the site navigable without mouse or touch controls. This includes implementing keyboard accessibility, clear focus indicators, and functional interactive elements like drop-down menus.

3. Understandable Structure: Create a logical and consistent structure. Use clear labeling, provide helpful error messages in forms, and maintain uniform navigation elements to enhance user understanding.

4. Robust Compatibility: Design the site to work effectively with various assistive technologies, including screen readers and voice recognition software. Conduct regular testing to ensure ongoing functionality.

Following these principles can create more accessible and user-friendly digital experiences.

While compliance may seem like a detail to address later, delaying it can lead to serious and often overlooked consequences. 

Now that you understand EAA, you might wonder where to start. A good first step is to assess your current situation and evaluate your existing products. Conducting accessibility audits, either on your own or with the help of a specialist, is crucial for identifying barriers.

You can use tools like AXE or Lighthouse to evaluate how well you align with WCAG Standards. However, remember that achieving nearly 100% alignment with these standards does not guarantee compliance; it serves only as a rough estimate and can often be misleading. Manual testing and involving users with disabilities remain essential. 

You might have heard about automated tools that claim to detect and fix web accessibility issues. Accessibility overlays seem like a quick fix for website compliance, providing temporary changes for users with disabilities. However, they have significant limitations, as they can't fully address all accessibility issues and may even hinder those using assistive technology. Consequently, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Communication does not endorse these solutions.  

For a more effective approach to accessibility, consider investing in comprehensive solutions that enhance user experience and ensure compliance. We provide comprehensive accessibility assessments beyond checklists tailored to your platform and users.

Next, start navigating through your website or product using the keyboard. The Tab, Shift, Space, and Arrow keys are essential for detecting navigation issues early on.

Check for captions on video content and ensure that non-decorative images have appropriate alt text. Pay attention to color contrast, text size, and the logical order of elements in the Document Object Model (DOM).

Verify the proper use of ARIA attributes and HTML5 semantics, and ensure that necessary content has a focused state. Lastly, focus on preventing errors, providing clear labeling, and ensuring feedback is easy to understand.

Once you understand your current position, you can begin to develop a strategy. It’s helpful to consider the following questions:

1. What approach should we take to prioritize the remediation of barriers identified during the audit?  

2. How can we confirm the effectiveness of our remediation efforts?  

3. In what ways can we embed accessibility into the creation and maintenance of our digital environment?  

4. Who is accountable for ensuring accessibility within the organization?  

5. How can we ensure all stakeholders possess the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to meet their accessibility obligations?  

6. What actions must be taken to incorporate accessibility as a fundamental aspect of our organizational culture and practices?   

Once you have developed your strategy, it's important to take a moment for preparation before diving into implementation. Accessibility is a collective effort, and for the process to succeed, every team member must understand their roles, utilize their skills, and contribute towards the overall objective. This includes members from the marketing team, designers, developers, and business analysts. 

As you prepare to implement the accessibility measures, ensure that you involve individuals with disabilities and utilize accessibility testing tools. A key aspect of EAA Compliance is the documentation of your progress, which requires providing statements for each digital asset you develop. 

This process may seem like a one-time task, but it's an ongoing, cyclical commitment. Regulations may change, new products will be developed, and you'll need to revisit this process repeatedly. To facilitate this, it is essential to incorporate accessibility into product requirements from the very beginning. Review visual designs for accessibility before they are implemented in code, and consider developing or acquiring code libraries and frameworks that integrate accessibility into reusable code. This approach will simplify the creation of accessible products right from the start. 

Your product is EAA compliant:

- You have expanded your customer base, leading to increased customer acquisition and satisfaction.

- Your enhanced brand reputation stems from your commitment to accessibility and social responsibility, which fosters trust and loyalty among customers, employees, and partners.

- Your company is recognized for driving innovation, as accessibility encourages creativity, prompting businesses to design user-friendly products and services for everyone.

- Your business is future-proofed and has unlocked funding and partnerships. Furthermore, your employees contribute unique perspectives because they thrive in inclusive workplaces.

Your product is not EAA compliant: 
- Your business is no longer competitive, and you face the risk of fines of up to $100,000.  

- Your product may be restricted or prohibited until you achieve full compliance. 

The workaround for accessibility is never truly finished, but this shouldn’t discourage you. Instead, it should motivate you, as it presents opportunities to grow while you strive to create an inclusive internet. View accessibility as a way to innovate and improve your assets while empowering users. Always seek additional ways to contribute. Ultimately, the goal is not just to enhance the user experience; it’s to ensure that everyone has a comparable experience, regardless of their abilities. 
Have you started your accessibility journey? Share what’s worked, or what hasn’t.  

Let’s talk accessibility and learn together. No jargon, no pressure, just practical support.