EU Accessibility Act: Is Your Website Ready?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at creating a more inclusive digital environment across the European Union. For businesses and service providers, it’s a call to action to ensure their digital platforms are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. With the 28 June 2025 deadline drawing closer, this is a great opportunity to review your website’s readiness and take proactive steps toward compliance.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA, formally adopted in 2019, aims to harmonize accessibility standards across EU member states. It addresses barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to digital products and services. The act is a key step toward fulfilling the European Union’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Why 28 June 2025 Matters

The date 28 June 2025 marks the enforcement of the EAA’s accessibility requirements. By this deadline, all new products and services covered by the act must meet its standards. Businesses that fail to comply face not only legal and financial repercussions but also the risk of alienating a significant portion of their audience. Accessibility is no longer optional; it is essential for both inclusivity and competitiveness.

What Products and Services Does the EAA Cover?

The EAA encompasses a broad spectrum of digital and physical products, with a focus on those that impact daily life. Examples include:

• E-commerce platforms: Online stores must be fully navigable and operable by all users.
• Banking services: ATMs, mobile banking apps, and websites must be accessible.
• Electronic communications: Websites and apps providing communication services must comply.
• Transport systems: Ticketing and check-in kiosks for buses, trains, and airlines fall under the act.
• E-books and digital content: Digital publications must meet accessibility standards to cater to diverse readers.
• Web services: Public-facing websites, internal portals, and mobile applications must adhere to accessibility standards. Additionally, self-service digital kiosks, such as ticketing and information terminals, must be designed for use by individuals with disabilities.

By addressing these areas, the accessibility law seeks to remove barriers and promote universal usability. It also benefits other users without disabilities, such as the elderly population, by making products and services more intuitive and user-friendly.

Accessibility for Broader Audiences

Accessibility improvements don’t just help people with disabilities—they enhance usability for everyone. For instance:

• Easier navigation for elderly users: Features like larger text, intuitive layouts, and voice commands assist older users who may face age-related challenges.
• Better experiences for all users: Clearer designs, simplified workflows, and improved functionality contribute to a smoother experience for everyone, regardless of ability.

Who Must Comply?

The EAA applies to a wide variety of organizations. It covers public and private businesses that provide products or services within the EU, ensuring accessibility is a priority across the board. While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enjoy some exceptions, those heavily involved in the affected sectors are still expected to comply. For multinational companies operating across EU borders, the act requires them to align their practices to meet accessibility standards consistently.

Whether you are a local retailer or a global corporation, ensuring compliance with the European Accessibility Act 2025 is crucial for staying competitive and avoiding penalties.

Implications of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet EAA requirements can have serious consequences for businesses. Non-compliance may result in legal penalties, including fines and enforcement actions from regulatory bodies. Beyond the legal repercussions, it can also damage your brand’s reputation, as inaccessibility sends a message of exclusion and a lack of inclusivity. Additionally, ignoring accessibility means excluding individuals with disabilities from your digital platforms, which directly impacts your potential customer base and reduces revenue opportunities.

Ultimately, compliance isn’t just a legal necessity—it’s a strategic investment that drives business growth and enhances your reputation in an increasingly inclusive market.

EAA and Web Accessibility

WCAG 2.1 vs. EU Web Accessibility Directive

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are global standards that help make websites and apps accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG 2.1 ensures digital content is easy to see, use, and understand for everyone, including those with visual or cognitive challenges.

The EU Web Accessibility Directive is a law that requires public sector websites and apps in the EU to follow WCAG 2.1 guidelines. It makes sure these platforms are accessible and enforces the rules across EU countries.

In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers accessibility in both physical and digital spaces, but it doesn’t give specific web guidelines like WCAG does. While the ADA is a broad law for the US, the EU Directive is specific to public sector websites in Europe and directly tied to WCAG.

While both frameworks aim to enhance digital accessibility, there are some differences:

• Scope: WCAG 2.1 is a global standard for making websites accessible, while the EU Directive focuses on making websites in the EU follow the same rules. The EU Accessibility Act (EAA) is similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US, as both aim to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Enforcement: WCAG gives guidelines for web accessibility, but it’s not always mandatory unless specific laws, like the EAA, require it. The EAA takes it a step further by making accessibility rules mandatory for both public sector organizations and private companies.
• Overlap: Both emphasize core principles like perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness.

By aligning with these standards, businesses ensure they meet both regional and international accessibility requirements.

Tips to Make Your Website EAA Compliant

Here are actionable steps to ensure your website meets the EU accessibility act standards:

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Accessibility Audit

   It’s crucial to first understand where your website stands. Using automated tools can quickly spot many accessibility issues. However, to get the full picture, it’s also important to bring in experts who can conduct a detailed manual review. This combination helps identify and address gaps that could affect users with disabilities.

2. Compatibility with Assistive Technologies
   

   To ensure everyone can access your website, make sure it works with assistive technologies like screen readers, voice recognition software, and keyboard navigation. This allows people with visual impairments or mobility challenges to navigate your site without issues.

3. Adopt Accessible Design Principles 

   Design plays a huge role in accessibility. Use high-contrast colors to improve readability for users with visual impairments. Make sure your site adapts to various screen sizes with responsive design, so it’s easy to navigate on any device. Don’t forget to include text alternatives for images, videos, and other multimedia content, so users with screen readers can access the same information.

4. Provide Clear Navigation and Instructions 

   A simple, logical layout is key to helping everyone find what they need. Keep your navigation consistent across pages, and make sure interactive elements like buttons and links are clearly labeled. Tooltips can be really helpful for giving users more context about certain actions.

5. Educate Your Team 

   Your website’s accessibility isn’t just about tools—it’s about people. Make sure your developers, designers, and content creators understand accessibility standards and best practices. The more they know, the better your website will be.

6. Utilize Professional Services 

   Sometimes, the process of becoming EAA-compliant can be overwhelming. Using professional services like AccessibleDocs.ai can make it easier by providing expert advice and the right tools to simplify the compliance process.

7. Commit to Continuous Improvement 

   Accessibility isn’t a one-time fix. It’s important to schedule regular audits and updates to stay in line with evolving standards and technologies. This ensures your site remains accessible to everyone, no matter what changes happen in the future.

   Implementing these steps not only ensures compliance but also improves everyone’s user experience.

Why Act Now?

The deadline for the European Accessibility Act 2025 is rapidly approaching. By acting now, you can:

• Avoid Last-Minute Rushes: Addressing accessibility issues takes time and careful planning.
• Gain a Competitive Edge: Demonstrating inclusivity strengthens your brand’s reputation.
• Enhance User Experience: Accessible websites benefit all users, not just those with disabilities.

With tools and services like Accessible-Docs.ai, preparing your website for the EAA doesn’t have to be daunting. We’re here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your digital platforms meet the highest standards of accessibility.

Conclusion

The European Accessibility Act is a transformative opportunity to make the digital world more inclusive. By complying with its standards, you not only meet legal obligations but also demonstrate a commitment to equality and user-friendly design.

Don’t wait until the last minute—start preparing your website today. Try out Accessible-Docs.ai to ensure your site is ready for the EU accessibility act deadline. Together, we can create a digital environment that welcomes and empowers everyone.