As a business owner or website operator, you’re probably familiar with the pressure to keep up with ever-changing digital regulations and standards. It might feel like you’ve just gotten comfortable with one set of rules, and suddenly, a new one appears on the horizon. That’s exactly the situation many are experiencing right now with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). If you’re serving customers in the European Union (EU), or simply want to reach a global audience without obstacles, it’s crucial to understand how this new set of guidelines could affect your online presence—and what you can do to stay on the right side of the law.
Let’s face it: even if you’ve never thought much about web accessibility before, it’s becoming a must-have. Ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate your site or use your services isn’t just the “right thing” to do anymore. With the EAA coming into effect, it’s legally required for businesses that sell to or interact with European customers. And with so many potential buyers across borders, ignoring accessibility standards could mean turning people away—not just ethically, but commercially as well.
Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
At its core, the EAA is about ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to the same products and services as everyone else. Think of it as removing virtual “closed doors” and “too-high steps” on the internet. Instead of forcing customers with disabilities to struggle through poorly structured content, complicated checkout processes, or inaccessible multimedia, the EAA sets a baseline standard. By meeting these standards, you’re not just checking a legal box—you’re making your site friendlier to a much wider audience.
Key Goals of the EAA
- Consistent Accessibility Standards Across the EU: Rather than a patchwork of rules differing by country, the EAA aims for a unified, simpler standard that businesses can follow everywhere in Europe.
- Enhancing Quality of Life: Every barrier you remove can help someone shop independently, learn without assistance, or find critical information on their own.
- Removing Single Market Barriers: With a common standard, businesses can more easily enter multiple EU markets without recalibrating their approach for each country.
Important Dates:
- June 28, 2025: By this date, your digital platforms should comply with EAA requirements.
- From 2025 Onward: Enforcement rolls out, meaning audits, penalties, and other legal consequences can follow if you haven’t prepared.
Consequences of Ignoring Compliance
If you’ve ever delayed a task until it became a crisis, you know how costly last-minute fixes can be. Non-compliance with the EAA can result in fines and other legal hassles. Beyond that, it can damage your reputation. Imagine a customer who can’t navigate your site because it’s not accessible. Not only might you lose that sale, but you could also create a negative impression that spreads through social media, reviews, or word-of-mouth. With global competition just a click away, failing to meet accessibility standards means risking trust, loyalty, and revenue.
Building Your EAA Compliance Strategy
If all this sounds daunting, don’t worry. Creating an EAA compliance strategy is like tackling any large project: break it down into steps, and take them one at a time. Even if you have minimal experience with web accessibility, you can follow a structured approach to ensure you’re ready by the deadlines.
In-House or Outsource?
First, decide if you want to handle these updates internally or bring in the pros. If you have a dedicated team comfortable with coding, design, and compliance issues, doing it yourself might help you build internal know-how. But remember, this requires time and training, and any mistakes can lead to rework.
On the other hand, outsourcing to specialized agencies or consultants can jump-start your compliance efforts, reducing the risk of errors. Although it may cost more upfront, you’ll likely benefit from their expertise and time savings. Companies like 216digital can guide you, ensuring you don’t miss important details.
Understanding Your Website’s Complexity
Before making changes, you need a roadmap. Start with an accessibility audit. Free and paid tools can scan your site for issues like missing alt text for images, poor color contrasts, or navigation elements that are impossible to use without a mouse.
Don’t forget manual checks—automated tools are great, but they can’t understand context the way a human can. Ask testers or colleagues to navigate your site using only a keyboard or a screen reader. Identify the places where they struggle, and note which areas must be fixed first. High-risk areas often include navigation menus, forms, and interactive content like product configurators or dropdown filters.
SImplementing the Necessary Fixes
Armed with a list of issues, it’s time to roll up your sleeves. Start with the basics:
- Content Structure: Make sure your pages use headings logically. Include descriptive alt text so people using screen readers understand what an image shows.
- Navigation: Include skip navigation links to help users jump past repetitive menus. Ensure that every link and button can be accessed with a keyboard alone.
- Color and Text: Check color contrast to make sure text is easy to read. Choose font sizes and spacing that are large and clear enough for all users.
- Multimedia: If you have videos, include captions. If you have audio clips, ensure they don’t autoplay, or at least provide controls to pause or stop them.
- Forms and Inputs: Label every form field, and provide error messages that guide users back to the correct inputs.
Manage Third-Party Integrations
Your site might rely on third-party plugins, payment gateways, or widgets. Even if your own code is perfect, these tools can introduce new accessibility barriers. Check that any plugins or platforms you use also meet EAA standards. If not, request updates from vendors or find accessible alternatives. In some cases, offer a fallback option—like a basic HTML form—if a fancy widget isn’t accessible.
Ongoing Monitoring (Because Websites Evolve)
A website isn’t “done” the day you launch it. You’ll likely add new products, blog posts, or interactive elements over time. Any of these updates can unintentionally break accessibility. That’s why it’s crucial to make accessibility checks a routine part of your maintenance. Tools like a11y.Radar by 216digital can help you run regular scans to catch issues before they spiral out of control.
Regular audits—perhaps quarterly—will ensure you stay in line with evolving standards, minimize the risk of complaints, and keep your audience happy. Keeping a finger on the pulse of your site’s accessibility means you can catch small issues before they turn into big headaches.
Don’t Forget Mobile Apps and Other Digital Touchpoints
The EAA isn’t just about traditional websites. If you have a mobile app or other digital services, they also need to be accessible. For apps, test them with built-in accessibility features. Ensure that fonts can be resized, screens read naturally with voiceover technologies, and that no essential functionality relies on a tricky gesture without an accessible alternative.
Invest in Training and Resources for the Long Haul
Accessibility isn’t a one-time project; it’s a mindset. Consider training your team so that everyone—from your content writers to your developers—understands the principles of accessible design. Allocate a budget for ongoing audits and fixes. If you maintain a relationship with an accessibility partner like 216digital, they can keep you informed about changes in standards and best practices.
Why EAA Compliance is Good for Your Bottom Line
At first, meeting EAA standards might feel like yet another box to check off. But embracing accessibility can actually help your business thrive. By removing barriers, you reach a bigger audience—think of the millions of potential customers who might otherwise struggle to use your site. And when your site is easier for everyone to navigate, all customers have a better experience, which can boost loyalty, trust, and conversions.
Accessibility improvements often align with good user experience (UX) design principles. Cleaner layouts, logical navigation, and properly structured content don’t just help users with disabilities—they help everyone find what they need more quickly and enjoy their time on your site.
Get Started Now, Not Later
The EAA deadline may feel distant, but time flies, especially when you have a million other things on your plate. Start early so you have time to explore your options, fix issues thoroughly, and verify that your solutions work. Make accessibility part of your workflow, and you’ll find it’s much easier to stay compliant rather than scrambling at the last minute.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ensuring accessibility and complying with the EAA is a journey, but you don’t have to travel it alone. Whether you handle it in-house or partner with experts, starting now will put you ahead of the curve. If you’re unsure where to begin, consider reaching out to specialists. Contact 216digital today to learn more about how our web accessibility services can guide you toward a site that meets EAA standards and truly welcomes everyone.
Take action now—schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital using the contact form at the bottom of this page. Let’s work together to make your digital platforms accessible, inclusive, and ready for the future.
