The Lowdown on the EAA

The EAA aims to standardize accessibility requirements across Europe, going beyond the current regulations that mainly cover government websites. Unlike the U.S., where accessibility rules are broader thanks to the ADA, Europe has been slower to implement standards. The EAA will set a new, mandatory baseline for accessibility, pushing businesses to make their digital products inclusive for all.

Why It Matters

The web is everywhere, yet not everyone can access it equally. Over one billion people globally live with some form of disability, and with an aging population, this number is growing. By 2050, people aged 74 and over will represent 20% of the EU population.

The EAA isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a wake-up call. It’s about making the digital world more inclusive, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, age, connection speed, devices can navigate, interact with, and benefit from online experiences.

Key Milestone: June 28th, 2025

Mark your calendars—June 28th, 2025, is the date when the EAA comes into full force. If you’re not ready by then, you risk not just non-compliance, but also missing out on the broader benefits that come with accessibility.

Challenges & Risks

Let's be real: adapting an existing platform to meet accessibility standards can be daunting, especially with limited resources or tight deadlines. But accessibility should be integrated from the start, not viewed as an afterthought. Ignoring it risks excluding potential users, harming SEO scores, and facing lawsuits. Think of compliance as a starting point to make your product the best it can be for everyone.

Benefits: A Strong Business Case

Making your platforms accessible isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also good business. By extending your market reach, you can tap into a broader audience. Accessibility improvements often boost SEO, improves ease of use, and ensures that your designs and code practices are future-proof. Plus, accessible design often leads to more innovative, user-friendly products that everyone can enjoy: Consider how closed captioning is making your life easier when in a noisy environment (cooking while watching your favorite show), or how a curb cut can help you dragging a heavy wheeled suitcase. What started as a necessity for a specific group is now something that everyone benefits from.

The Opportunity: Innovate with Accessibility

Here's the exciting part: Designing with accessibility in mind can spark creativity. Digital experiences should adapt to various user needs, whether through screen readers, voice commands, keyboards, or touch interfaces. Embracing this approach opens up new possibilities for innovative solutions that benefit everyone.

Consider how accessibility will influence emerging technologies like apps, AR, and voice search. The EAA provides a golden opportunity to lead the way in designing inclusive digital experiences.

But where do you begin? In our next article, we’ll look at the practical steps your organization can take to start implementing these changes and to turn accessibility challenges into an opportunity to gain a competitive edge. Stay tuned.