What Is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive that sets accessibility standards across the EU. It defines broad accessibility goals that each member state must adapt into national law, ensuring a unified commitment while allowing flexibility in enforcement.
Why WCAG Matters for EAA Compliance
While the EAA references WCAG as a foundation, it does not solely rely on it for compliance. WCAG provides guidelines for web accessibility, but the EAA incorporates additional requirements that extend beyond WCAG’s scope, ensuring broader accessibility measures across various digital services and products.
EN 301 549: The Technical Standard for Accessibility
A critical component of EAA compliance is EN 301 549, the European standard defining accessibility requirements for digital technologies. This standard provides detailed technical specifications for web content, software, hardware, and other ICT products, ensuring they align with accessibility best practices. It often serves as the practical benchmark for demonstrating legal compliance under the EAA.
Who Needs to Comply with the EAA?
If your business operates online and serves customers in the EU, you must meet EAA compliance requirements. The following categories are particularly relevant to website owners:
- E-commerce websites and digital marketplaces
- Banking and financial services
- Streaming and digital media platforms
- Public transportation and ticketing systems
- E-books and digital publications
Non-compliance can lead to accessibility complaints and potential legal challenges. However, prioritizing accessibility enhances user experience, expands your audience, and strengthens your brand’s reputation.
Why EAA Compliance Matters for Your Business
- Reach More Customers:
Over 87 million people in the EU live with disabilities. By making your website accessible, you create a more inclusive experience and connect with a broader audience. - Improve SEO and Performance:
WCAG-compliant websites often rank higher in search results because they follow best practices for structure, alt text, and navigation. - Strengthen Brand Reputation:
Consumers prefer businesses that prioritize social responsibility. By ensuring your website is accessible, you build trust and demonstrate inclusivity.
How to Prepare for EAA Compliance
With June 2025 approaching, businesses should take proactive steps to ensure web accessibility. Follow these steps to make your website fully compliant.
Step 1: Conduct an Accessibility Audit
The first step in achieving EAA compliance is identifying accessibility barriers on your website. An accessibility audit will highlight areas that need improvement.
Use Pluro’s tools to conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit and its hybrid solution to fix EAA compliance issues.
Step 2: Enhance Your Website’s Accessibility with Practical Adjustments
Improving your website’s accessibility doesn’t always require extensive coding. Many enhancements can be made through your CMS settings, theme customization, or by working closely with your web team.
- Use clear page structure: Organize your content with
headings (H1, H2, H3) so screen readers and users can easily navigate. - Write descriptive labels for buttons and links: Instead of “Click Here,” use clear text like “Read More About Our Services” or “Shop Accessible Products.”
- Improve text readability: Use clear fonts, sufficient contrast, and allow users to adjust text size.
- Ensure images have alt text: Alt text helps screen readers describe images to visually impaired users. You can add alt text when uploading images to platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Shopify.
- Make forms accessible: Label each form field properly and allow users to navigate forms without a mouse.
- Install an accessibility plugin: Platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Wix offer accessibility plugins, including Pluro’s, to improve compliance without coding.
If you work with a developer, ensure they implement:
- Semantic HTML elements (<nav>, <header>, <article>, <button>)
- Correct ARIA roles (aria-label, aria-hidden)
- Compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies
Step 3: Fix Common Accessibility Issues
Once you’ve audited your site, fix the most critical WCAG compliance issues:
- Add alt text for images
- Ensure keyboard navigation is functional
- Improve color contrast for readability
- Label form fields properly
- Add captions and transcripts for videos
Step 4: Test Your Website with Real Users
Beyond automated audits, testing with real users ensures a better experience for all.
- Conduct user testing: Invite people with disabilities to test navigation and usability.
- Gather feedback and iterate: Adjust your website based on user insights.
Step 5: Publish an Accessibility Statement
A clear accessibility statement demonstrates your commitment to EAA compliance. Your statement should include:
- Your compliance status: Specify whether your website meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
- Measures you’ve implemented: Mention improvements like alt text, ARIA roles, and screen reader compatibility.
- Contact details for accessibility feedback: Allow users to report issues via email or contact form.
- Testing and update schedule: Indicate when your site was last audited and when improvements will be made.
Example: “Your Business Name is committed to providing an accessible website for all users. If you experience issues, contact us at [email@example.com] or [phone number].”
Step 6: Train Your Team on Web Accessibility
Achieving EAA compliance requires a team-wide commitment to web accessibility best practices. Investing in training ensures that developers, designers, and content creators understand accessibility requirements.
Free Accessibility Training Resources
- W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) – The official source for WCAG compliance guidelines, case studies, and tutorials.
- EU Disability Rights Information – A detailed overview of the European Accessibility Act and its impact on businesses.
- Google’s Web Accessibility Fundamentals – A practical guide for developers and designers on creating accessible websites.
Step 7: Maintain Accessibility and Stay Updated
Even after reaching EAA compliance, accessibility must remain a continuous effort.
- Conduct regular website audits to ensure compliance with EU accessibility law.
- Keep your team updated on changes to WCAG compliance guidelines.
- Stay informed on European Accessibility Act updates.
Take Action Now: Achieve EAA Compliance with Pluro
Pluro makes accessibility effortless:
- Accessibility Widget – Provides assistive features for end-users.
- Manual Scanner – Perform on-demand accessibility scans.
- AI-Powered Fixer – Recommends the best way to fix accessibility errors.
- Automated Scanner – Continuously detects compliance issues.
- Real-Time Dashboard – Monitor all websites’ accessibility status.
Start your accessibility audit today with Pluro and ensure your website is compliant with EU accessibility law before the deadline.
Make your website accessible, expand your audience, and future-proof your business. Join Pluro today!
