Have you heard of the European Accessibility Act?
It has nothing to do with the AI Act, or the GDPR for that matter, but it is as important as it can be since soon it will be the new law.

Let’s start by saying,
As of 28 June 2025, companies MUST ensure that the newly marketed products and services covered by the Accessibility Act are accessible!

To emphasize, this is NOT optional, and there are no exceptions (..only a few)
With that in mind, let’s see why this is important and why it is happening at all.

Did you know that one in every five people in the EU has some kind of disability or impairment? – which counts for more than 85 Million people!
A report from WHO indicates that there are 1.3 Billion people worldwide experiencing a significant disability. That is approximately 16% of the global population.
These people have been excluded from society in many ways, especially from access to new technologies, platforms, trends, etc.
The European Accessibility Act is about to change this, at least in the EU.
Though this sounds like another regulation that can make running your business even more difficult, it doesn’t have to.

Some good things can come out of it. Let’s see.

Benefits

  • Access to a larger market – in some cases 15+% potential growth in market size
  • Companies will find it easier to trade with other EU countries
  • The Act will drive more innovation and creative solutions
  • Improved SEO – by complying with this Act, your website will become better indexed by the search engines
  • Better well-architected solutions – improved design, development, and overall architecture
  • Built a better, more inclusive society, take a part in building a better world

There could be almost an US$ 10 return for every US$ 1 spent on implementing disability-inclusive prevention and care for noncommunicable diseases.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health

The Impact

The Act covers the following products and services:

Products

  • Computers and operating systems
  • Smartphones and other communication devices
  • TV equipment related to digital television services
  • ATMs and payment terminals (e.g., card payment machines in supermarkets)
  • E-readers
  • Ticketing and check-in machines

Services

  • Phone services
  • Banking services
  • E-commerce
  • Websites, mobile services, electronic tickets, and all sources of information for air, bus, rail, and waterborne transport services
  • E-books
  • Access to Audio-visual media services (AVMS)
  • Calls to the European emergency number 112

Important to say,
The European Accessibility Act identifies the product features and service features that must be accessible for persons with disabilities. 
The Act uses functional EU accessibility requirements. It does not impose detailed technical restrictions to make products and services accessible. This allows room for innovation and flexibility. (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/)

The Tough

A few things we see as potential challenges:

  • These are extra requirements after all, for which an increased capital/budget has to be allocated.
  • Companies will have to increase their in-house knowledge and understanding of what it means to build for accessibility.
  • PO, UX, and Designers will have to go a step further, since what the non-disabled users think it is nice, the disabled can’t even perceive it.
  • The developers both, the backend and frontend are not excluded in this effort, they will have to write more complex code to be able to handle these requirements.
  • Copywriters will have to write simpler and more understandable content avoiding jargon, and using more headlines and bullet points.
  • Companies may need to be able to handle an increased number of complaints, and regular compliance checks from the local authorities.
  • Companies will have to provide special support teams to handle all communication.

The Promising

Member States may decide to make some exceptions. For instance, they can allow more time for the application of the new rules to service providers using self-service terminals. 
Micro-enterprises (i.e., small businesses with fewer than 10 employees) that provide services also are exempted from the obligations of the Act. Nevertheless, all micro-enterprises are encouraged to make their products and services accessible to persons with disabilities.
The increased use of AI may help in adapting and converting existing services to comply with this Act. (Source: https://ec.europa.eu/)

Summary

Effective 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act requires EU products and services to be accessible, impacting over 85 million individuals with disabilities. This Act spans various sectors, including technology, finance, and telecommunications, promoting inclusivity without detailed technical mandates to encourage innovation. While it presents financial and operational challenges for businesses, it also promises market expansion, innovation incentives, and societal benefits. The Act allows certain flexibilities, such as exemptions for micro-enterprises and potential benefits from AI integration, aiming to create a more accessible and inclusive environment.

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