Getting ahead of the EAA and WCAG Discover the business possibilities of accessible web design
Accessibility in your website used to be considered a “nice to have.” Today, it’s a must-have. With the onset of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), a directive of the European Union, it is no longer only government agencies impacted by accessibility demands for their websites. From June 2025 onwards, private sector websites will also be included.
The European Accessibility Act
The EAA, which takes effect on 28 June 2025, sets legal requirements for the accessibility of digital products and services directed at the consumer market. It ensures those products and services meet the minimum requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA, a global standard which is included in the European standard for digital accessibility (EN 301 549). If not followed, the directive can lead to sanctions and fines over time.
Who will be affected?
The EAA impacts all actors that offer digital products or services to consumers. The products include computers, smart phones, tablets as well as terminal equipment. “Services” in this context refers to electronic communication services, e-commerce solutions, banking services, e-books, services that provide access to audiovisual media, and certain passenger transportation services.
How do I make sure I’m following the rules?
What’s needed to meet EAA requirements will vary on a case-to-case basis. But regardless of demands in your specific situation, we at KAN can help. We use a checklist when developing new websites and digital services, based on WCAG guidelines. It covers four comprehensive areas:
- The ability to perceive
- The ability to control
- The ability to understand
- Robustness (e.g., compatibility with various browsers)
When working with existing sites and digital services, we call our approach the One-Two Punch. First, we take an inventory of the website or service according to our checklist. The result is a test protocol. Step two is an evaluation. Here, we conduct a deeper analysis, concluding with a procedural recommendation. The Punch step-approach means that we can carry out new measures with our collective competencies within technology, design and content.
Do you need help to make sure your website or digital service lives up to the demands of the EAA? Get in touch – we can help.
What is the WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are an international standard for making web content more accessible for people with disabilities. The guidelines are divided into three levels: A, AA and AAA. AA is often considered to be the moderate course, and it is the level required according to the EAA. The number in “WCAG 2.1 AA” refers to the version of the standard in question.
What do we mean by “accessibility”?
Inclusivity is the starting point for digital accessibility: to give everyone, regardless of ability, the same possibilities. It’s about making your website or digital service accessible to all. Examples of potential special needs can include:
Motor impairments – reduced motor functions, such as shaking or paralysis
Visual impairments – reduction in sight, at any level
Auditory impairments – reduction in the ability to hear, at any level
Cognitive impairments – reduced ability to handle and understand information
However (and this is a key detail), the question of accessibility is not about separate groups of people. Impairments are not always a permanent disability. They can instead be divided into three types: permanent, temporary and situational impairments.
A permanent auditory impairment can be, for example, damaged hearing. A temporary example, on the other hand, may be an ear infection or waxy buildup. A situational auditory impairment can take place when a person is among a celebratory crowd at a football match.
Focus on the possibilities, not the consequences
It’s easy to get hung up on words like “sanctions” and “fines.” But instead of getting stressed over the risks, take a look at the businesses opportunities that come with a more accessible website. With services available for more people, you automatically expand the base of potential customers.
Accessibility doesn’t need to be complicated, expensive or ugly. Beauty is subjective and accessibility doesn’t limit your creativity. It’s about making the right design decisions and coding in the right way.
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact me.
