Preparing for the European Accessibility Act: Key Steps for Web Developers

With the June 2025 compliance deadline approaching, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to impact how digital services in the EU are designed and developed. This article highlights important actions for web developers, from understanding common accessibility barriers to using practical tools for testing compliance. Beyond meeting legal requirements, accessible design is a chance to create more inclusive and user-friendly digital experiences for everyone.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) mandates that by June 28, 2025, certain businesses must ensure their websites and digital services are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This Act aims to make digital products and services accessible to all EU citizens, ensuring that people with disabilities are not excluded from essential digital experiences. The EAA impacts a wide range of industries, including e-commerce, transportation, banking, telecommunications, and public services.

⏰ Key Deadlines and Implementation Requirements

• Adoption Deadline: By June 2025, all covered businesses must comply with the EAA requirements.
• Scope of Applicability: The Act applies to any business providing digital products or services in the EU, covering both EU-based companies and international businesses serving EU customers.
• Types of Services: The EAA covers websites, mobile applications, digital documents, online customer service portals, electronic communications, and digital self-service terminals, such as ATMs, ticketing, and check-in machines.

Non-compliance may lead to penalties, so developers are encouraged to prioritize accessibility improvements to ensure timely compliance.

🤝 Affected Businesses

The EAA impacts a wide range of businesses that offer essential products and services to the public, including:

• E-commerce and Retail: Online stores and marketplaces must ensure their platforms are accessible to all users, from browsing to checkout.
• Banking and Financial Services: Banks and financial institutions must make their online banking, ATMs, and digital financial services accessible to people with disabilities.
• Telecommunications: Telecom companies are required to provide accessible websites, mobile apps, and customer service portals.
• Transportation Services: Airlines, train services, and public transit operators need to make their online booking systems, ticketing services, and travel information accessible.
• Media and Entertainment: Streaming platforms and online media services must offer accessible content, such as subtitles and audio descriptions.
• Hospitality Industry: Hotels, restaurants, and related services are expected to make their websites and mobile applications accessible, ensuring inclusive access to booking, customer support, and other digital services.

By targeting these sectors, the EAA aims to improve digital inclusivity across a range of essential services.

👩‍💻 What Developers Need to Do

To meet EAA requirements, developers should integrate accessibility standards across digital products and services. Key areas include:

1. Follow WCAG Standards: The EAA aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. This includes ensuring compatibility with screen readers, providing alt text for images, and enabling keyboard navigation for all interactive elements.
2. Design for Inclusivity: Use high-contrast colors, resizable text, and clear headings and labels to enhance readability and navigation, particularly for users with visual impairments.
3. Keyboard Accessibility: Ensure all elements on a page are accessible via keyboard. This is crucial for users with mobility issues who may rely on keyboards or assistive technologies for navigation.
4. Accessible Forms: Label form fields clearly, include error indicators and suggestions, and provide text alternatives for users using screen readers.
5. Manage Dynamic Content: Avoid elements like auto-playing carousels or pop-ups that disrupt user control. Users should be able to pause, stop, or control dynamic content.

👨‍🦯 Practical Steps for Implementing Accessibility

For developers aiming for EAA compliance, here are actionable steps:

• Conduct Accessibility Audits: Regular audits help identify and address accessibility issues. Automated tools like WAVE can catch common problems, but manual testing is essential to ensure full accessibility.
• Engage Real Users in Testing: Automated tools are a great start, as is testing with non-disabled users to check general usability. However, those who truly prioritize accessibility should also involve users with disabilities, as they can uncover issues that automated tests might miss, ensuring a genuinely inclusive experience.
• Use Accessible Components: Implement accessible components using ARIA roles and other best practices regarding accessibility for interactive elements like menus, buttons, and carousels.
• Monitor Changes in Accessibility Standards: WCAG guidelines evolve. Staying updated with changes helps ensure ongoing compliance.

🚧 Common Accessibility Barriers and How to Overcome Them

Studies reveal that almost every website has accessibility errors, averaging 56.8 issues per page. Key barriers include:

• Missing Alt Text for Images: Always add descriptive text for images, particularly if they provide essential content.
• Poor Contrast and Color Choices: Ensure high-contrast colors and avoid relying solely on color to convey information.
• Inaccessible Forms: Label each form element, provide clear error messages, and enable keyboard navigation.
• Focus-Stealing Carousels and Pop-Ups: Allow users to control dynamic content to avoid interruptions for screen readers or other assistive technologies.

😊 Why Accessibility Benefits Everyone

Complying with the EAA isn’t just a legal requirement; it also improves the overall user experience. Accessible websites are more user-friendly for everyone, including people with temporary or situational limitations, like low lighting or screen glare. Furthermore, accessible sites can enhance SEO, broaden audience reach, and improve brand perception.

🧰 Tools for Testing Accessibility Compliance

To meet EAA standards, developers can use the following tools:

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool): Provides visual feedback about the accessibility of web content.
• Lighthouse: An open-source tool in Chrome DevTools for auditing accessibility.
• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): A free screen reader to test website compatibility with assistive technology.

📚 Further Reading

For more details and ongoing guidance:

• Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services - 9. Web
• The European Accessibility Act 2025 – What businesses need to do
• The European Act on accessibility through the lens of the frontend by Radek Pavlíček (video in Czech language)

By addressing these common issues and using recommended tools, businesses can work towards compliance with the EAA, ensuring that digital services are accessible to all users.