Deciphering the EAA – The European Accessibility Act: Your Strategic Guide To The EU Web Accessibility Standards

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark piece of legislation that makes products and services more accessible to persons with disabilities across the European Union. This report provides an overview of the EAA, including its purpose, scope, impact, and benefits.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

The EAA, officially known as Directive (EU) 2019/882, is an EU directive that aims to harmonize accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the EU. It was adopted in April 2019 and is set to be implemented by June 28, 2025. The directive seeks to improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services by removing barriers created by divergent rules in Member States. This harmonization will facilitate easier cross-border trade and create a larger market for companies providing accessible products and services.

The EAA is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which the EU and 25 of its Member States are parties. The UNCRPD emphasizes the importance of accessibility for persons with disabilities to ensure their full and equal participation in society. Accessibility, in this context, refers to the design of products, environments, programs, and services that are usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. This “design for all” principle is a core element of the EAA.

The EAA also reflects the EU’s 2010-2020 European Disability Strategy, which sets actions for implementing the UNCRPD at the EU level. Furthermore, it contributes to the 2015 Commission Work Programme, which reiterates the Commission’s commitment to accessibility as a catalyst for social inclusion.

Several specific requests concerning accessibility have contributed to the development of the EAA. These include:

• M/376 (2005) on ICT: This request led to the development of the European standard EN 301 549, which defines accessibility requirements for ICT products and services. While it does not explicitly mention “document accessibility,” it indirectly supports it as it led to EN 301 549, which does address document accessibility directly.
• M/420 (2007) on the built environment: This request addressed the accessibility of the built environment, including buildings and public spaces. While it primarily focuses on physical accessibility in the built environment, it doesn’t directly address document accessibility. However, there’s an indirect connection as it focuses on overall accessibility, and it is a part of a larger European effort to improve accessibility for all people.
• M/473 on mainstreaming accessibility: This request focused on integrating accessibility into the design of all products and services. While it focuses on mainstreaming accessibility through the “Design for All” approach, doesn’t directly address document accessibility. However, it plays a crucial role in creating a broader framework that supports document accessibility. It promotes the idea that accessibility should be considered in all aspects of design, including products, services, and environments. This holistic view naturally encompasses information and communication, which includes documents.

These requests, along with the EU’s commitment to the UNCRPD, have played a crucial role in shaping the EAA and its focus on a comprehensive approach to accessibility.

Why Should Someone Care About the EAA?

The EAA is a significant piece of legislation that has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people with disabilities across the EU. By harmonizing accessibility requirements, the EAA will make it easier for persons with disabilities to access a wider range of products and services. This will lead to greater independence, inclusion, and participation in society. For example:

• Individuals with visual impairments will have greater access to information and services online.
• Those with mobility impairments will find it easier to navigate public spaces and use transportation services.

The EAA will also benefit businesses by creating a larger and more unified market for accessible products and services. This will lead to increased innovation and competition, as well as reduced costs for businesses. By designing products and services that are accessible to everyone, businesses can tap into a wider customer base and potentially increase their market share.

What Does the EAA Do?

The EAA sets out a number of requirements that products and services must meet in order to be considered accessible. These requirements are based on the principles of perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness. These principles ensure that products and services are usable by people with a wide range of disabilities.

Perceivability

Perceivability means that information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive. This includes:

• Providing alternative text for images on websites and in documents.
• Ensuring sufficient color contrast between text and background.
• Using clear and concise language that is easy to understand.
• Providing tactile buttons on ATMs and other self-service terminals.

Operability

Operability means that user interface components and navigation must be operable. This includes:

• Making sure that all functionality can be accessed using a keyboard.
• Providing clear instructions and user guides.
• Avoiding the use of time limits that may create barriers for some users.
• Designing e-readers with interfaces that work seamlessly with assistive technology.

Understandability

Understandability means that the information and operation of user interfaces must be understandable. This includes:

• Using simple language and avoiding jargon.
• Providing clear and concise instructions.
• Organizing information in a logical and consistent manner.

Robustness

Robustness means that content must be robust enough to be interpreted reliably by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies. This includes:

• Using valid code that conforms to accessibility standards.
• Providing alternative text for images and other non-text content.
• Ensuring that content is compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers.

Specific Requirements

In addition to these general requirements, the EAA also sets out specific requirements for certain types of products and services. For example:

• ATMs must have tactile buttons and adjustable heights for users who use wheelchairs.
• E-books must be available in formats that can be read by screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• Websites and mobile applications must be compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers, speech-to-text tools, and braille displays.

The EAA also emphasizes the need for accessible information. Products must be accompanied by accessible information on their functioning and accessibility features. This information should be available in various formats, such as text, Braille, and audio, to cater to the needs of different users.

Furthermore, the EAA requires businesses to provide support systems, such as help desks and call centers, to provide information on accessibility. This ensures that users with disabilities can easily access support and assistance when needed.

The EAA also mandates that businesses apply practices, policies, and procedures to address the needs of people with disabilities. This includes providing training to staff on how to interact with and assist customers with disabilities.

Accessibility Features for Self-Service Kiosks

The EAA outlines specific features that self-service kiosks must include to guarantee accessibility for people with sight loss. These include:

• Text-to-speech technology: This allows users to hear the content on the screen read aloud.
• Tactile buttons: These provide a physical way for users to interact with the kiosk.
• Adjustable height: This ensures that the kiosk is usable by people in wheelchairs.
• Braille displays: These provide a tactile way for users to read the content on the screen.

These features are essential for ensuring that people with sight loss can independently use self-service kiosks to access information, make purchases, and complete other tasks.

Documentation and Discoverability

The EAA places significant emphasis on documentation and discoverability. It mandates that all concerned titles disclose their accessibility status and detail any limitations. This information should be readily available to users, allowing them to make informed decisions about the accessibility of products and services.

Implementing Acts

The European Commission has the authority to adopt additional laws, known as “implementing acts,” to complement the accessibility requirements of the EAA. These implementing acts can provide more detailed guidance on specific aspects of accessibility, ensuring that the EAA remains relevant and effective as technology evolves.

What Products and Services are Covered by the EAA?

The EAA covers a wide range of products and services that are considered to be important for persons with disabilities. These are categorized and listed in the table below:

This list is not exhaustive, but it provides a good overview of the types of products and services that are covered by the EAA.

The EAA and A More Inclusive Society For All

The European Accessibility Act is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities in the EU. By harmonizing accessibility requirements, the EAA will make it easier for persons with disabilities to access a wider range of products and services, leading to greater independence, inclusion, and participation in society. The EAA will also benefit businesses by creating a larger and more unified market for accessible products and services, leading to increased innovation and competition. As the EAA is implemented, it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people across the EU.

How Crawford Technologies Can Help you Meet the EAA

Crawford Technologies can help organizations in, and outside of, Europe prepare for and comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) in several ways:

• Comprehensive Document Accessibility Solutions. Crawford Technologies helps organizations ensure their customer communications are accessible and compliant.  Meeting these requirements not only avoids potential penalties but also demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity, broadening reach and strengthening customer relationships across Europe. Crawford Technologies empowers businesses to efficiently create and manage accessible documents, ensuring they meet the EAA standards and are readily available to everyone. Don’t risk non-compliance – let Crawford Technologies help you navigate the EAA requirements and unlock the benefits of accessible communication before the deadline.
• June 28, 2025 Deadline. With the EAA deadline fast approaching on June 28, 2025, Crawford Technologies helps organizations prioritize their compliance efforts and efficiently remediate documents.  Facing this urgent deadline, businesses need to focus on the most critical areas, and Crawford Technologies offers expert guidance on the specific requirements of the EAA, helping navigate the complexities of compliance.  Their solutions and services enable rapid remediation, ensuring organizations can confidently meet the EAA deadline and avoid potential penalties.
• Specific EAA Compliance. The EAA mandates accessibility for digital content, and Crawford Technologies helps organizations meet these critical requirements for their documents, whether hosted on websites, mobile apps, large volume transactional documents, or learning management systems (LMS).  Ensuring compliance for digital documents, including PDFs, Word files, and other formats, is essential under the EAA, and Crawford Technologies provides the solutions and expertise needed for taking non-compliant communications and turning them into accessible documents.  Don’t leave your communications’ accessibility to chance – Crawford Technologies helps you confidently meet the EAA standards and avoid potential penalties.
• EAA’s Global Impact. For organizations outside of Europe, the European Accessibility Act still holds significant implications.  Even without a physical presence in Europe, if your organization serves European customers, operates online targeting European users (through language options, pricing in Euros, or EU-focused marketing), or distributes any documentation (transactional, marketing, or otherwise) within the EU, compliance with the EAA is essential. This includes ensuring websites, online platforms, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and all digital documents are accessible. Crawford Technologies helps these non-European organizations navigate the complexities of the EAA with comprehensive solutions, including document remediation, expert consulting, targeted training, and access to powerful accessibility platforms.  This support ensures compliance for European operations and helps avoid potential legal issues, ultimately expanding market reach by making offerings accessible to everyone in Europe.
• Benefits of Accessibility. Meeting the European Accessibility Act requirements for document accessibility offers significant benefits beyond simply avoiding penalties.  Crawford Technologies helps organizations create accessible documents, which enhances their reputation by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and building trust with customers.  Accessible documents also provide a better user experience for everyone, including people who are blind, partially sighted and older adults, making information easier to access and understand.  Ultimately, EAA compliance, facilitated by Crawford Technologies, fosters a more inclusive environment where everyone has equal access to information and services.