The European Accessibility Act is coming in 2025.
In the EU, 1 in 4 people live with some form of disability or permanent illness. At the same time, 96% of all websites have deficiencies in terms of accessibility. The European Accessibility Act (EAA for short) is intended to counteract this in Austria from 2025.
First things first:
What is accessibility?!
What does accessibility mean in general?
Accessibility is the English term for “freedom from barriers.”
Accessibility means that websites and software are designed in such a way that everyone can use them – even if they have different needs.
Accessibility ensures that no one is excluded and that everyone has the best user experience. If a product or service is accessible, it makes it easier for everyone.
For example, an elevator helps people with limited mobility, but also supports parents with baby carriages or people with heavy shopping.
What is considered a disability?
People with disabilities experience various barriers in everyday life that potentially prevent them from participating in everyday life.
Every person is diverse and has different needs that can change. Disabilities can thus be visible, but also invisible. They may be permanent, temporary, situational, or episodic. These include visual, auditory, motor, speech, and cognitive disabilities.
People with disabilities include: an elderly lady with arthritis, a deaf-mute young woman, a man with depression or a teenager with a broken leg.
Every person is affected by a disability at some point.
Let’s take the following example: you are holding your fries in your plastered hand. Your cell phone rings. When the sun is shining brightly and the display is broken, you want to recognize who is calling and then pick up the phone. In this situation, you are affected several times. And this is temporary and situational.
How is Web Accessibility defined?
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed accessibility standards for the web, the so-called Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), aglobally recognized standard to make the web more accessible for people with disabilities.
How is accessibility measured?
Can all your users use and understand your website or software? This is where WCAG and user surveys help you.
To meet the needs of different groups and different situations, three levels of compliance have been defined: A (lowest), AA and AAA (highest).
We recommend reaching at least level AA, as it covers the majority of needs. However, it is important to always clarify with users whether more measures are necessary to fully cover their needs.
What does "A11y" stand for?
It is an abbreviation for the term “accessibility”. The first and last letters of the word remain and the eleven characters in between are written as a number.
European Accessibility Act (EAA):
A very brief introduction
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on accessibility requirements for products and services was adopted on April 17, 2019. This is also known as the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The full text can be found in the EU legaldatabaseExternal link opens in new tab
The European Accessibility Act aims to ensure that all EU citizens, including those with disabilities, have equal access to essential products and services and can participate fully in modern society from 2025.
What standard must be achieved?
The EU specifies that the EN 301 549Externallink opens in new tab standard must be met. This corresponds to the better known WCAG 2.2 level AAExternallink opens in new tab standard. In addition, there needs to be a publicly accessible and continuously updated accessibility statement.
From when does the European Accessibility Act apply?
Who is affected?
The policy covers a wide range of products and services, including websites.
Who is excluded?
For services, companies with less than 10 employees and annual turnover/balance sheet total of less than €2 million are not covered by the European Accessibility Act. We still recommend to act in order to provide the best experience for users.
What happens in case of violations?
Violations may result in an administrative fine of up to €80,000 and, as a last resort, the obligation to discontinue the service.
6 more reasons why accessibility
is important.
In addition to the European Accessibility Act, there are a large number of (legal) regulations that companies must take into account. In addition, your site is constantly evolving (updates also count) and regular audits are necessary.
Studies show that up to 3 to 4 times more people can be reached with barrier-free products. In addition, 85% of all consumers are willing to spend more money on a product or service if the website is accessible.
Considering a wide variety of users and their needs challenges us to think outside the box. This inspires creative solutions that benefit everyone. Electric toothbrushes are just one of many examples.
Accessibility + usability = perfect match. Fewer barriers and a more thoughtful experience mean excited user:s, leading to longer stays and more interactions.
A11y is part of the user experience and therefore a basic requirement for Google for a good rating. The latter in turn leads to more organic traffic. If you want to chat with us about SEO, write to us.
Inclusivity communicates a brand's values very directly. Customers perceive this as emotional added value. At the same time, it sets you apart from your non-inclusive competitors.
Promote accessibility
Up to €11,300 funded
Fun fact: Did you know that video captioning, Alexa, elevators, and electric toothbrushes were originally developed for people with disabilities?
We make your website fit in 3 steps:
1. Audit: We start by analyzing the current state of your website and collecting the requirements of users.
2nd correction: Depending on the urgency, your experience and the resources available to you, we can implement the improvements in one go or over a longer period of time.
3. optimization: technologies but also your content evolve. That’s why we are happy to support you with advice or implementation. Guaranteed is a workshop for all employee:s to integrate A11y into their work.
Want to chat about accessibility or just get to know us over coffee? Write to us:
Note: Every company is unique, just like every person. We are therefore unable to provide any binding information, let alone legal advice, as to whether and how exactly the EAA must be implemented by you. The information on this page is only intended to convey the importance of accessibility.
Sources: European Commission, European Council, Federal Ministry, Austrian Parliament, Click Away Pound 2019 Report, The Benefits of Designing for Everyone Report