The European Accessibility Act 2025: what does it mean for your website?
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The European Accessibility Act (EAA) aims to enhance digital accessibility, particularly for the more than 4 million people with disabilities in the Netherlands. The goal is to make websites and applications discoverable, available, operable, and readable for everyone.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA is significant legislation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Its goal is to improve the accessibility of products and services in the European market. This accessibility is measured against various criteria outlined in the European standard EN 301 549 and other guidelines such as the WCAG guidelines. Some of the key aspects of accessibility assessment are illustrated in the image below. These guidelines are intended to support the growing digitalization of society.
Currently, digital accessibility is mandatory for (semi-)government institutions. With the introduction of the EAA, this obligation will be extended, making accessibility a crucial aspect of the digital landscape.
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How Can Your Organization Adapt to Accessibility Guidelines?
How does this work in practice? How can you ensure your website is "digitally accessible" without compromising your business goals?
Usability Optimization
First, let's delve into usability optimization. A usability study can help identify issues with the usability of your online platform. This enables you to optimize and resolve these issues. We see similarities between usability and accessibility, as both aim to create a platform that is 1. Effective, 2. Efficient, and 3. Enjoyable to use.
The standards and guidelines for usability align with those used by the EAA: the ISO 9241.
- The ISO 9241 guidelines were first established in 2006 and have remained largely unchanged since. These guidelines were created to consider human senses.
Accessibility is not only essential for serving new customers but also offers a significant advantage: it improves the user experience for your current customers. It's a win-win situation.
Implementing Digital Accessibility: Practical Tips
To make your website digitally accessible immediately, you can take actions that will have a positive impact in the short term. Here are a few tips:
1. Responsive Web Design: Your online platform should be compatible with different browsers and screen readers. Every user should be able to use the website in a user-friendly way.
2. Content is Key: Use clear language and short texts. Ensure the text is readable and can be enlarged up to 200% without losing information. Explain abbreviations. Provide subtitles or transcripts for audio and video content.
3. Usability: All functions of your website should be accessible via keyboard. Avoid time limits that are too short for people with disabilities and consider input methods, such as form filling. This includes having a large enough font size, sufficient color contrast, and minimal visual distractions.
Conclusion
The EAA is important legislation that promotes and enhances the digital accessibility of services and products in Europe. To attract a broader audience, it is worthwhile for every company to consider the WCAG guidelines. Do you want to know if your company will be required to comply with this legislation in 2025? Visit the digital government website. Additionally, if you want more information on using and optimizing your platform, contact us.