What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive designed to improve the accessibility of products and services across the EU. According to Eurostat estimates, one in four adults in the EU have a disability, so this will serve as a unified framework that businesses will need to use to facilitate accessibility for everyone.
What types of businesses need to comply?
The directive applies to businesses that offer products or services in the EU, such as:
- Ecommerce & online retail
- Banking & financial services
- Transportation & ticketing
- Telecommunications & media
- Public sector & digital government services
- Education & E-learning platforms
Key requirements businesses need to follow
Here are the key areas for compliance outlined in the directive:
1. Digital accessibility
Websites, mobile apps, and digital platforms must adhere to WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines, ensuring:
- Readable and resizable text
- Alternative text for images
- Sufficient color contrast
- Keyboard navigation support
2. Self-service terminals and kiosks
ATMs, ticketing machines, and other self-service kiosks must have:
- Tactile feedback and voice output
- Compatibility with assistive devices
- Intuitive navigation for all users
3. Ecommerce and online services
Businesses have to ensure that all stages of the customer journey are accessible, including:
- Clear, structured navigation
- Compatibility with screen readers
- Accessible digital payment solutions
4. Communication and information
This means:
- Using readable fonts and high-contrast
- Providing alternative formats where needed
- Ensuring information can be accessed via multiple sensory channels
What happens if businesses don’t comply?
Failure to meet the EAA requirements by June 2025 could lead to serious penalties, which may include:
- Significant fines up to millions of dollars
- Restrictions on selling products or providing services within the EU
- Lawsuits from those affected by the lack of accessibility
How can you prepare for the EAA?
1. Check the accessibility of your products/services
First, it’s important to assess how this directive impacts your business and what areas would need to be addressed, improved, or completely changed.
2. Develop an accessibility roadmap
After identifying the main areas that need attention, start working on a clear plan so you can address the priority issues, and have a much better view of the changes that need to be implemented and which ones will make the biggest impact.
3. Train your team
Since this directive will be at the core of the products and services available within the EU, all team members must be aware of it and understand the best practices when it comes to implementing key changes, and also have the ability to integrate them into their work moving forward.
How can Inventiff help?
When you use accessible design, you not only improve the user experience for everyone who uses your product/service but you also strengthen the brand reputation, which will ultimately open the doors to a larger audience and customer base.
In the end, this directive will change the way we view accessibility and inclusivity and also have a major impact on consumers and businesses.
Inventiff is committed to helping companies thrive by finding the best solutions while prioritizing a positive user experience for all individuals.
If you need help navigating this new landscape and figure out how to approach the next steps, we’re one short call away. Book your call here with one of our experts and let’s find the best way to make your product accessible to everyone.
