In 2025, a big change is coming to Europe that will make life easier for millions of people. This change is called the European Accessibility Act (EAA). It’s a law aimed at ensuring that products and services are easier to use for everyone, especially people with disabilities. But it’s not just for people with disabilities—it’s for anyone who has ever struggled with a hard-to-read website, a complex gadget, or a poorly designed app. The European Accessibility Act will become national law in all EU member states by June 28, 2025.
This new law marks the beginning of a new era for inclusive design. In simpler terms, inclusive design means creating things that everyone can use, regardless of their abilities or challenges. The EAA is pushing businesses to adopt this kind of thinking, so that Europe can become a more accessible place for all.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a piece of legislation created by the European Union (EU). It focuses on making key products and services more accessible for people with disabilities across all member states of the EU. The idea behind the Act is simple: everyone should be able to participate fully in society, and that means being able to access and use products and services that are part of daily life.
The Act covers a wide range of things, from websites and mobile apps to ATMs, ticketing machines, banking services, and e-commerce. It’s a law that applies to both physical and digital products and services, ensuring that they are designed in a way that doesn’t exclude people with disabilities. Understanding the services covered by the EAA is crucial for businesses, as they must meet specific compliance requirements to avoid penalties by the June 2025 deadline.
Why Is the EAA Important?
The EAA is important because it recognizes that everyone has the right to be part of society. Around 100 million people in Europe live with some form of disability, and many more face challenges as they get older. As our lives become more reliant on digital technology and online services, it’s crucial that these innovations are designed with everyone in mind.
Before the EAA, accessibility rules varied across different EU countries. Some countries had strong laws in place, while others didn’t have much regulation at all. This inconsistency meant that people with disabilities might have found it easier to use services in one country but struggled in another. The EAA creates a consistent standard across all of Europe, ensuring that businesses and governments work together to make products and services more accessible everywhere. EAA compliance is essential as it aligns with the EU standard EN 301 549, which requires adherence to updated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to mitigate legal risks and enhance inclusivity.
Accessibility Standards and Requirements
The EAA sets out specific accessibility requirements that products and services must meet to be compliant. These standards are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, which provide a comprehensive framework for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. The Act encourages innovation and flexibility, allowing businesses to find the best ways to meet these requirements.
Key accessibility features mandated by the EAA include:
- Alternative Communication Methods: Products and services must offer alternatives to speech for communication, ensuring that everyone can interact effectively.
- Flexible Magnification: Users should be able to adjust the magnification of content to suit their needs, making it easier to read and interact with.
- Volume Adjustment: Devices and services must allow users to adjust the volume to a comfortable level, ensuring that audio content is accessible.
- Accessibility Information: Websites must display information about their accessibility features, helping users understand how to navigate and use the site.
- Assistive Device Compatibility: Websites and digital services must be designed to work seamlessly with assistive devices, such as screen readers and alternative input methods.
Service providers are also required to explain in their terms and conditions how their services meet the digital accessibility requirements. They must demonstrate that their services are delivered and monitored in compliance with all applicable EAA standards, ensuring transparency and accountability.
What Products and Services Will Be Affected?
The EAA covers a broad range of products and services that play an important role in everyday life. These include:
1. Computers and Operating Systems: Any computer sold in Europe, along with the software it runs, must be accessible to people with disabilities. This could mean including features like screen readers for people who are blind or low-vision and voice controls for people with limited mobility.
2. Smartphones and Tablets: Mobile devices are essential in today’s world, and the EAA will make sure that these devices are easier to use for people with disabilities. This might include improved voice command features, high-contrast screens, and more intuitive navigation.
3. ATMs and Ticket Machines: Have you ever struggled with a touch screen at a bank or a train station? For people with disabilities, these everyday machines can be even harder to use. The EAA requires that these machines be accessible to all, with features like voice guidance or tactile buttons.
4. Banking Services: From online banking to in-branch services, the EAA mandates that financial services are accessible to everyone. Banks will need to design their systems so that people with disabilities can manage their money without unnecessary difficulty.
5. E-Books: The world of reading is increasingly digital, and the EAA ensures that e-books are accessible to people with disabilities. This could include making sure text can be easily resized or offering features like audio narration for people with visual impairments.
6. E-Commerce: Shopping online should be easy for everyone, but for many people with disabilities, poorly designed websites can make it difficult. The EAA requires that e-commerce sites be designed with accessibility in mind, ensuring a smoother experience for all users.
7. Television and Media Services: Accessibility isn’t just about reading websites or using machines; it’s also about entertainment. The EAA will push for more accessible media services, like television shows with subtitles, audio descriptions, and other features that make content enjoyable for everyone.
Benefits Beyond Disability
While the EAA is focused on improving accessibility for people with disabilities, the benefits go far beyond that group. Accessible design often leads to products and services that are easier for everyone to use. For example, a website that is designed to be navigated using a keyboard might be easier to use for someone with a disability, but it could also be more convenient for an older person who isn’t as comfortable using a mouse.
Inclusive design can also benefit people in temporary situations, like a parent holding a baby who needs to use voice commands or someone recovering from an injury. By creating products that work for a wide range of people, companies can create better experiences for everyone.
A New Era of Inclusion
The European Accessibility Act is more than just a law—it’s a sign of a growing recognition that accessibility is a human right. It represents a shift toward a more inclusive society where everyone can fully participate, regardless of their abilities.
As 2025 approaches, businesses across Europe are preparing to meet the new requirements of the EAA. While there may be challenges along the way, the long-term benefits are clear. By embracing inclusive design, companies can create a more accessible, equitable world for all.
The European Accessibility Act 2025 marks a pivotal shift towards inclusivity in digital content and services, particularly for audio visual media services. As the demand for accessible content grows, businesses must adapt to these regulations to remain compliant and competitive. At Lingual Consultancy, we are dedicated to supporting this transition with our wide range of services, including translation, localization, dubbing, voice-over, and subtitling, in multiple languages. Our expert team ensures your content is not only accessible but also culturally relevant, helping you reach broader audiences globally.
