The European Accessibility Act Explained
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Digital technologies are a vital part of our daily lives. Increasingly, they dictate how we participate in society and how we communicate with each other. However, not everyone can fully access and interact with common digital interfaces. As a result, the European Union has introduced legislation to ensure equal access to digital content and services for people with disabilities. It’s called the European Accessibility Act.
The European Accessibility Act is a directive, adopted in April 2019. All EU Member States must transpose it into national law, and the directive will become effective from June 28, 2025. It will remove barriers created by divergent rules in member states and improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services.
What the directive covers
Digital technologies are the focus of the European Accessibility Act. The new rules will facilitate equal access to a range of information and communication technologies for persons with disabilities. The directive covers the following products and services:
Products
- Computers and operating systems
- Smartphones and other communication devices
- TV equipment related to digital television services
- ATMs and payment terminals such as card payment machines in supermarkets
- E-readers
- Ticketing and check-in machines
Services
- Phone services
- Banking services
- E-commerce
- Websites, mobile services, electronic tickets and all sources of information for air, bus, rail and waterborne transport services
- E-books
- Access to Audio-visual media services (AVMS)
- Calls to the European emergency number 112
The accessibility requirements outlined in the European Accessibility Act relate primarily to public sector bodies, although many EU member states have extended the requirements to cover private sector organisations as well.
Functional accessibility requirements
The directive doesn’t impose prescriptive requirements to make products and services accessible. But mandates that products and services should be designed to maximise their use by people with disabilities. Regarding functional accessibility requirements, the European Accessibility Directive focuses on three key areas:
- Websites and Mobile Applications: Websites and mobile applications must meet certain accessibility standards to ensure that people with disabilities can access and use the content. The requirements cover perceivability (e.g., providing text alternatives for non-text content); operability (e.g., allowing keyboard navigation); understandability (e.g., using clear and simple language); and robustness (e.g., compatibility with assistive technologies).
- Digital Documents: Organisations must provide accessible versions of digital documents like PDFs, Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations. This means that documents should be structured to allow assistive technologies to interpret and present the content to users with disabilities.
- Online Services: Online services including e-commerce platforms and ticketing systems, should be made accessible to all users. This includes providing accessible interfaces, alternative formats for content, and compatibility with assistive technologies.
There is a clear mechanism to ensure compliance with accessibility requirements. As of 28 June 2025, citizens will be able to file complaints with the relevant authority, where products or services fail to meet accessibility requirements. Individual countries will determine penalties.
Steps organisations can take
There are several steps organisations can take to ensure they align with the European Accessibility Directive.
- Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Perform an accessibility audit of your digital assets, including websites, mobile applications, and online services. Identify any existing accessibility barriers and areas that need improvement. Consider engaging experts in accessibility testing and evaluation to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
- Implement Accessibility Policies and Procedures: Develop and implement internal accessibility policies and procedures. These should outline your commitment to accessibility, define roles and responsibilities, and provide guidelines for creating and maintaining accessible content.
- Train Your Staff: Provide training to employees involved in content creation, web development, design, and customer service. Ensure they understand accessibility principles and techniques, and equip them with the knowledge to produce and maintain accessible content.
- Develop Accessibility Guidelines: Follow recognised accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 or later versions. These guidelines provide technical recommendations for making digital content more accessible.
- Involve People with Disabilities: Involve individuals with disabilities in the testing and evaluation process. Their feedback and insights can help identify barriers and improve the accessibility of your products and services.
- Communicate Accessibility Information: Provide clear and concise accessibility information to users. This could include an accessibility statement outlining the accessibility features and limitations of your products or services, along with contact information for users to report accessibility concerns.
An ongoing journey
Promoting inclusivity, and ensuring a culture where products and services are accessible for all users, isn’t a simple process. It’s not a project that can be completed, rather an ongoing journey. Monitoring your digital assets for accessibility compliance, addressing any accessibility issues promptly, and keeping abreast of technological advancements and regulatory updates takes effort. As a result, many organisations are working with accessibility experts, such as New Graphic or consultants that operate in their sector. Objective, external validation, coupled with internal leadership is the best way to ensure digital assets meet the accessibility standards required by the European Accessibility Act.
