Comply with the European Accessibility Act: Step 1 – Understanding the Requirements

In the first part of our series on transitioning to comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), we provided an overview of the steps involved in making your organization’s digital products and services accessible. This second part delves deeper into Step 1: Understanding the Requirements. Gaining a thorough understanding of the EAA is crucial for a successful transition, as it lays the foundation for all subsequent actions.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act is a legislative directive aimed at harmonizing accessibility standards across the European Union (EU). Its primary goal is to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to products and services, promoting social inclusion and equality. The EAA covers various sectors, emphasizing digital accessibility, which includes websites, mobile applications, and other digital interfaces.

Key Objectives of the EAA

1. Harmonization of Standards: The EAA aims to create a unified set of accessibility standards across the EU, simplifying compliance for businesses operating in multiple member states.
2. Improved Access: The Act seeks to enhance access to products and services for people with disabilities, fostering greater independence and quality of life.
3. Market Efficiency: By reducing trade barriers and promoting competition within the internal market, the EAA benefits both businesses and consumers.

Key Areas Covered by the EAA

The EAA’s scope is broad, but for the purpose of digital accessibility, the key areas include:

• Websites and Mobile Applications: Ensuring these platforms are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
• Digital Documents: Making sure that documents such as PDFs are accessible.
• E-commerce Platforms: Ensuring that online shopping and payment processes are accessible.

Detailed Requirements for Digital Accessibility

Websites and Mobile Applications

The EAA mandates that websites and mobile applications must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. These guidelines are built around four key principles:

1. Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in ways that users can perceive. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content, captions for multimedia, and adaptable content presentation.
2. Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable. This means ensuring that all functionality is available via keyboard and providing sufficient time for users to read and use content.
3. Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable. This involves making text readable and predictable, and providing input assistance where necessary.
4. Robust: Content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Specific Requirements:

• Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for non-text content, such as images, videos, and infographics.
• Time-Based Media: Offer captions and audio descriptions for multimedia content.
• Adaptability: Ensure that content can be presented in different ways without losing meaning or structure.
• Distinguishability: Make it easier for users to see and hear content, including providing sufficient contrast between text and background.

Digital Documents

Digital documents, particularly PDFs, must also be accessible. This involves ensuring that they are compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Specific Requirements:

• Semantic Structure: Use headings, lists, and proper tags to define the document’s structure, facilitating navigation by assistive technologies.
• Form Accessibility: Ensure that forms within documents are correctly labeled and provide error messages that are accessible.

E-commerce Platforms

E-commerce platforms must be accessible to ensure that all users can navigate, search, select, and purchase products or services without barriers.

Specific Requirements:

• Navigation: Provide clear and consistent navigation mechanisms.
• Search Functionality: Ensure that search functions, filters, and sorting options are accessible.
• Interactive Elements: Make sure interactive elements such as buttons and links are easily identifiable and operable using a keyboard.

Compliance Deadlines and Transitional Periods

Deadlines

Member states are required to transpose the EAA into national law by June 28, 2025. Businesses have until this date to comply with the new requirements. However, it is advisable to start the transition process as early as possible to avoid last-minute compliance issues.

Existing Content

Content created before the compliance deadline is not explicitly required to be retroactively updated to meet the new standards. Nonetheless, updating existing content to ensure broad accessibility is highly recommended.

Understanding the Legal and Financial Implications

Legal Consequences

Non-compliance with the EAA can result in significant penalties, including fines and other corrective measures. The specifics of these penalties will be determined by individual member states, but organizations should take these potential risks seriously.

Financial Benefits

Investing in accessibility can yield substantial financial benefits. Accessible websites and applications can attract a broader customer base, including people with disabilities. Additionally, accessible design often improves overall user experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction and retention rates.

Understanding the requirements of the European Accessibility Act is the critical first step in ensuring your organization’s compliance. By familiarizing yourself with the key areas covered by the EAA, the specific digital accessibility requirements, and the associated deadlines and legal implications, you can lay a strong foundation for your transition plan. In the next part of this series, we will delve into Step 2: Conducting an Accessibility Audit, providing you with practical insights and tools to assess your current compliance status effectively.

Stay tuned for more in-depth guidance on navigating the journey toward full compliance with the European Accessibility Act.