The European Accessibility Act: A catalyst for inclusive digital experiences and business growth

Amanda Alvarado 10 Oct 2024 5 mins
A picture of EU flag with accessibility logo in the middle

As technology continues to shape our world, ensuring equal access for all individuals, regardless of ability, has become a paramount concern. The European Accessibility Act (EAA), set to come into force on June 28, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards digital inclusivity. This landmark legislation will significantly impact businesses operating within the European Union, particularly those offering digital products and services.

Understanding the EAA and its requirements

At its core, the EAA aims to harmonise accessibility standards across the EU, mandating that a wide array of products and services adhere to specific guidelines. These include:
  • Websites and mobile applications: Ensuring seamless navigation and usability for all users, including those utilizing assistive technologies like screen readers, voice recognition software, and alternative input devices. This encompasses everything from clear and concise content structure to keyboard navigation and colour contrast considerations.
  • E-commerce platforms: Making online shopping experiences inclusive for everyone. This involves ensuring that product descriptions, images, payment processes, and customer support channels are accessible to individuals with disabilities. For instance, providing alternative text descriptions for images, allowing for keyboard-only navigation during checkout, and offering accessible customer service options like chat or email support.
  • E-books and digital publications: Providing alternative formats, such as audio versions, large print, and braille, to cater to the diverse needs of users with visual impairments. This ensures that everyone can access and enjoy digital content, regardless of their reading preferences.
  • Self-service terminals (ATMs, ticketing machines): Designing intuitive interfaces that are accessible to all users, including those with visual, auditory, or motor impairments. This could involve providing clear audio instructions, visual cues, and tactile feedback.
  • Consumer electronics (TVs, smartphones): Enhancing usability for individuals with disabilities by incorporating features like screen magnification, text-to-speech, captioning, and customizable settings for font size and colour contrast.
These requirements are rooted in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, a globally recognized framework for digital accessibility. The WCAG provides detailed criteria for making digital content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for people with various disabilities.

The EAA: More than just compliance

While the threat of significant fines and legal actions for non-compliance is a compelling reason to take the EAA seriously, businesses should view this Act as more than just a regulatory hurdle. Embracing accessibility is a strategic decision that can unlock a wealth of opportunities.
  • Enhanced customer experience: Accessible design fosters a more inclusive and user-friendly experience for everyone, not just those with disabilities. This translates to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and a positive brand image, ultimately driving repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations.
  • Expanded market reach: With an estimated 135 million people with disabilities in the EU and over 1.3 billion globally, ensuring accessibility opens your doors to a wider audience and a significant market segment with considerable purchasing power. Tapping into this underserved market can lead to increased revenue and market share.
  • Innovation and differentiation: Prioritizing accessibility can drive innovation as you explore new ways to make your products and services more usable for everyone. This can lead to the development of new features, functionalities, and even entirely new products that cater to a broader range of needs. This innovation can set you apart from competitors and establish your brand as a leader in inclusivity.
  • Social responsibility: Embracing accessibility demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility and equal opportunity, enhancing your brand image and fostering goodwill among customers and stakeholders. In an era where corporate social responsibility is increasingly important, this can be a significant differentiator for your brand.

RWS: The partner you need for navigating the EAA

RWS, a global leader in language, content, and intellectual property services, understands the complexities of digital accessibility and the EAA. Our comprehensive suite of accessibility solutions is designed to empower your business to not only comply with regulations but also thrive in this new era of inclusivity.
 
We go beyond mere technical compliance by leveraging our deep localization expertise to ensure your content is not only accessible but also culturally relevant and resonates with diverse audiences. With our global network of over 35,000 language specialists based in 189 countries, we can support your accessibility needs in any of the 24 official EU languages and beyond.
 
Our expert team offers:
  • Compliance assessment: We'll thoroughly assess your digital assets against relevant standards, identifying areas for improvement and providing you with a clear roadmap to compliance.
  • Accessibility strategy consulting: We'll collaborate with you to develop a tailored strategy that outlines the steps needed to make your content fully accessible, considering your specific needs, budget, and timeline.
  • Remediation services: Our skilled professionals will remediate your existing content, ensuring it meets EAA standards and is optimized for global audiences.

Embrace accessibility, embrace the future

As the June 2025 deadline approaches, don't view the EAA as a challenge, but as a catalyst for positive change. By partnering with RWS, you can seamlessly integrate accessibility into your digital strategy, creating a more inclusive experience for all users and positioning your brand for long-term success.
 
Ready to learn more? Take a look at our accessibility services or join us at LocWorld52 to discover how RWS can help you navigate the EAA with confidence. Download our comprehensive brochure for detailed insights into our accessibility solutions.

Contact RWS today to embark on your journey towards a more accessible and inclusive digital future.
Amanda Alvarado
Author

Amanda Alvarado

Solutions Consultant
As a solutions consultant, Amanda Alvarado brings 15 years of localization industry experience to bear in helping clients set up and optimize content globalization programs that achieve cost-effective quality at scale. Amanda is also passionate about universal inclusivity and accessibility, supporting organizations as they address the diverse content needs of worldwide audiences across hundreds of languages, cultures, and abilities.
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