On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will take effect, bringing significant changes to the rules governing websites, applications, and other digital services. This legislation requires digital content to be designed and developed to ensure accessibility for everyone – including people with disabilities, seniors, and those with temporary impairments.
The directive applies to a wide range of services and products, including e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, e-books, banking services, and digital devices with user interfaces. The goal is clear: to create a digital world open to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
What Technical Standards Must Websites Meet?
The new regulations mandate compliance with specific technical standards, including:
- Support for assistive technologies: Screen readers, voice controls, and keyboard navigation must function flawlessly.
- Content readability: Text must be clear, well-structured, and legible, even when enlarged.
- Accessible forms and interactive elements: Every user should be able to fill out forms or click buttons without difficulty.
- Contrast and visual design: Colors and layouts must be designed to accommodate users with visual impairments.
These rules apply to all companies offering the aforementioned products and services, with the exception of micro-enterprises (businesses with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover below 2 million EUR).
Why Does Accessibility Matter?
Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities, representing 16% of the global population. In addition to this, millions of seniors and individuals with temporary impairments, such as injuries or short-term health issues, also encounter barriers in the digital world.
Web accessibility is not just a legal obligation; it’s an opportunity to reach new customers and earn their loyalty. Accessible websites benefit not only users with disabilities but also those without, as they are often more intuitive, faster, and user-friendly.
By prioritizing accessibility, businesses can tap into a vast and often overlooked audience while contributing to a more inclusive online environment.
How to Get Started?
Preparing for the new regulations involves several key steps:
Accessibility Audit
Evaluate the extent to which your website or application complies with international web accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These standards provide a framework for ensuring content is accessible to all users. More details on WCAG and its connection to the EAA will soon be available on our blog.
Technical Modifications
Based on the audit, you’ll need to plan and implement changes to content, design, and code to remove barriers for users with disabilities. These adjustments should address:
- Visual impairments: Ensure sufficient text contrast and scalable font sizes.
- Hearing impairments: Provide subtitles or transcripts for audio content.
- Motor impairments: Simplify form interactions and navigation.
- Cognitive limitations: Design clear navigation paths and simplify complex content.
Modifications may include restructuring your website, ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies, refining interactive elements, and optimizing visual design for simplicity and usability. Every detail matters when it comes to creating a fully accessible digital experience.
Testing with External Tools and Users
Websites and applications should be tested on various devices, such as desktops, tablets, and mobile phones. Functionality should be verified with screen readers, voice controls, and keyboard navigation. Whenever possible, include real users with disabilities in testing to gain valuable feedback on usability and accessibility.
Accessibility Is More Than Legal Compliance
Accessibility goes beyond meeting legal requirements – it’s an investment in creating a fairer, better digital space for everyone. At bart.sk, we’re here to help you eliminate digital barriers and prepare your project to meet the new standards on time.
Interested in learning more about web accessibility? Follow our blog – we’ll soon share more insightful articles and practical tips to help you navigate this important topic.
