European Accessibility Act: What Changes for Websites?

Hello, I'm Michele Bedin, a WordPress consultant. In this brief video, I will guide you through the European Accessibility Act, the new regulation that mandates websites be accessible. We will begin with an overview of the regulations, examine the WCAG 2.1 technical standards, and analyze practical examples for various types of disabilities.

Let's get started. The European Accessibility Act is a European Union directive, specifically 2019-882, which makes website accessibility mandatory for specific categories of companies. It aims to ensure a barrier-free digital experience for all users.

If your company sells products or services to consumers in the European Union, you must meet both of the following requirements to be subject to the European Accessibility Act. Have at least 10 employees or a turnover or balance sheet exceeding 2 million euros. However, please note that even if you do not meet these criteria, it is still advisable to adapt and improve your reputation.

Let us now consider the deadlines and technical requirements that must be met. The urgency pertains solely to new sites that must be accessible by June 28, 2025. This means that if a site is published after this date, it must comply with the WCAG 2.1 AA standards as soon as it is launched.

For example, this includes keyboard navigation, compatibility with screen readers, and adequate contrast and readability. Existing sites, on the other hand, have until June 2030 to comply. However, if a site undergoes substantial changes before this deadline, the site owner will necessarily need to undertake compliance work.

Therefore, it is advisable to commence this work as soon as possible. This is because compliance requires time. A complete audit is necessary, followed by the implementation of corrections, which can be pretty complex and on WordPress and e-commerce sites.

It is essential to conduct tests with real users to verify whether the work has been completed correctly, and it is also necessary to train the staff managing the site. As accessibility is not a static concept, it is not merely a regulation to be added, as with privacy and cookie policies. Still, it must be integrated into all future operations involving the insertion and updating of news, products, and more.

Here is a practical example for screen reader users. Things to do include using descriptive links, ensuring that the screen reader articulates the action clearly so the user knows what to expect. Adopt semantic HTML, for example.

Use the h1 tag for the main title, nav for the navigation menu, labels, and so on. This way, the structure remains logical, allowing the user to navigate by landmarks. Additionally, provide keyboard navigation by setting the tab order sequentially, with a visible and clear focus.

Conversely, things to avoid include using vague links such as click here, images without descriptions, or imposing the use of a mouse, for example, by implementing drag-and-drop functionality only. Keep in mind that approximately 15% of the population utilizes assistive technology. Therefore, making life easier for everyone also enhances SEO and the overall experience.

For those with visual impairments, here are some effective practices to follow. High contrast. Use black text on a white background, maintaining a contrast ratio of 21 to 1, which exceeds the WCAG minimum, the 4.5 to 1. 200% zoom.

The layout must remain functional up to 200% zoom without cutting off content. Triple coding. Do not rely solely on color.

For example, red on green. Instead, add descriptive shapes or text to differentiate success from failure. Conversely, avoid using light gray text on a white background, as this provides a contrast ratio of only 2.2 to 1. Do not use a fixed layout at fails with zoom or rely exclusively on color.

Remember that approximately 285 million people worldwide suffer from visual impairment, and 8% of men are colorblind, specifically unable to distinguish between the colors red and green. Ensuring high readability is crucial. For individuals with dyslexia, it is essential to use short paragraphs, each containing a single concept.

Simple, direct sentences should have ample space between lines. If possible, employ fonts such as Open Dyslexic for better readability. Support reading by activating autocomplete and spellcheck to minimize typing errors.

Customization is crucial. Provide options to enlarge text. Avoid dense blocks of text without spaces, excessive use of all capital letters, and over-reliance on italics or bold type, as these can overload memory and hinder reading.

Individuals with dyslexia read up to 40% slower. It's vital to remember that people with dyslexia possess the same intellectual capacity as others. Nonetheless, minor adjustments can make a significant difference.

Motor disabilities affect approximately 25 million people in the European Union, according to Eurostat data updated to 2023. Actions to undertake. Large areas.

Buttons must be at least 44 pixels high, according to WCAG standards, and the clickable regions should be easily accessible. Keyboard navigation. Each field of a form and button must be accessible by pressing the tab key in a logical order, with the focus visible.

Compilation support. Examples such as find postcode automatically reduce physical effort. Conversely, actions to avoid.
Elements that are too small, less than 44 pixels. Mandatory drag and drop. Or forms with restricted time limits.

For example, a 30-second countdown with no possibility of extension. Bear in mind that it takes up to three times longer to complete an action than it does for someone without motor disabilities. Any barrier can become insurmountable.
Finally, those with hearing disabilities, which affect over 430 million worldwide and 16% of the population in the European Union. Require subtitles for every video, comprehensive audio transcripts for webinars, and multiple contact options, including email and live chat. Consequently, one should avoid offering support solely through telephone or uploading videos without subtitles.

Remember that an accessible site attracts 15% more potential users, enhances SEO, and avoids penalties. Accessibility represents an opportunity, not merely an obligation. Consider advocating for a more inclusive web from now on.
The key dates to note on your calendar are 28 June 2025 for new sites, while June 2030 serves as the final deadline for existing sites. I recommend starting your accessibility planning now. We have now concluded this video.
If you have any queries, consult a professional web developer. Do not leave your business's reputation in the hands of unprepared individuals. Thank you, and I wish you the best of luck with your work.

[Speaker 2]
OK, let's unpack this. If you're doing business online in Europe, listen up, because there's a pretty major deadline approaching.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, it really could shake things up for your website.

[Speaker 2]
Exactly. So today we're doing a deep dive into the European Accessibility Act. We're working from some great source material, an expert guide, and a really detailed FAQ.

[Speaker 1]
And our goal here is basically to give you the rundown on what this regulation actually means for your website, your online stuff, and why you really need to get on top of it now.

[Speaker 2]
So what's the core idea?

[Speaker 1]
At its heart, it's about making sure everyone, and that includes people with disabilities, can use websites and other digital things without running into roadblocks.

[Speaker 2]
OK, makes sense. So the big question from the sources then, who exactly needs to comply?

[Speaker 1]
Right. It's pretty clear if you look at the guide. If you're selling products or services to consumers in the EU, and you hit certain size criteria, that's basically 10 or more employees, or if your annual turnover or your total balance sheet goes over 2 million euros, if that's you, your website needs to follow this act.

[Speaker 2]
10 employees or 2 million euros.

[Speaker 1]
Got it. And what about the timing, the deadlines?

[Speaker 2]
Ah, yeah, the timeline is key. So starting June 28, 2025, which isn't that far off, any new websites have to be compliant right from the get-go.

[Speaker 1]
Right out of the box.

[Speaker 2]
But for existing sites, ones already lived before that date, there's a bit more time. They have until June 28, 2030.

[Speaker 1]
OK, 2030 for older sites. But wait, there was something in the source material about big changes, right?

[Speaker 2]
Exactly. This is super important. If you make what the guide calls substantial changes to an existing site after June 2025.

[Speaker 1]
Like a total redesign? Or moving to a new platform?

[Speaker 2]
Yeah, things like that. Or adding major new interactive stuff. If you do that, the compliance deadline for that site gets pulled forward.

It needs to be compliant immediately after those big updates.

[Speaker 1]
Wow. OK, so you can't just coast until 2030 if you're planning a big revamp soon. That's a critical planning point.

[Speaker 2]
Definitely. Now, you might be wondering about exceptions.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, are there any? Well, yes. Microenterprises, and the definition here is strict, fewer than 10 employees and less than 2 million euros in turnover or balance sheet they're formally exempt.

For now, at least.

[Speaker 2]
OK, so the really small businesses are out.

[Speaker 1]
Formally, yes. But the source material strongly suggests they should still aim for accessibility. Better usability, better reputation, even SEO benefits, you know.

[Speaker 2]
Makes sense. What about bigger companies? Any loopholes?

[Speaker 1]
There's something called a disproportionate burden clause they can try to invoke. But the source is clear. This isn't a free pass.

It doesn't mean full exemption.

[Speaker 2]
So what does it mean?

[Speaker 1]
They still have to implement all the accessibility measures that are reasonable for them. And they need a plan to make things progressively better over time.

[Speaker 2]
Right. And if you are supposed to comply and you just don't, what happens then?

[Speaker 1]
Penalties. The sources talk about sanctions at both the EU and national levels. We're talking potential fines.

And they can be hefty. How hefty? In serious or repeated cases, it could be up to 5 percent of annual turnover or fixed amounts, maybe hitting 40,000 euro or so.

[Speaker 2]
Ouch. That's significant.

[Speaker 1]
And it's not just the money. The source highlights the brand reputation damage. Plus, you could be excluded from things like public contracts.

An inaccessible site literally closes the door on a huge chunk of potential customers.

[Speaker 2]
So how do businesses actually fix these issues? The guide mentions some tools.

[Speaker 1]
Yeah, things like Wave or maybe PageSpeed Insights can give you an initial idea. And this is a huge point in the source. No automatic tool, no magic overlay solution, can actually replace proper technical work and, frankly, expertise.
Those overlay things.

[Speaker 2]
I've seen ads for them.

[Speaker 1]
Right. And the source warns they're often ineffective, can sometimes even make things worse for users with assistive tech. Relying on them gives this false sense of security.

But your site might still be noncompliant.

[Speaker 2]
So it's not a quick fix.

[Speaker 1]
Absolutely not. The source even points to the FTC fining accessibility, which really underlines the risks of just slapping on an overlay and calling it done.

[Speaker 2]
That's a really telling detail. OK, so if overlays aren't the answer, what is?

[Speaker 1]
It comes down to a proper, detailed technical analysis. Especially because most sites today are built on complex platforms, like WordPress is a big one, right? With all sorts of themes and plugins.

Fixing accessibility often means digging into the site's structure. You might need to correct non-semantic code that's like the underlying blueprint, add specific ARIA tags so screen readers understand elements, check how themes and plugins interact.

[Speaker 2]
Yeah, that sounds like more than just installing a plugin. That sounds like needing someone who actually knows code design and content accessibility.

[Speaker 1]
Exactly. And this is where, you know, specialized expertise is just invaluable. Especially navigating something like WordPress with its huge ecosystem.

The source really emphasizes that tackling these technical issues properly needs someone with deep knowledge, web development, and accessibility standards. It actually points towards consulting professionals in website development who specialize in this, like Michele Bedin. He's noted as a WordPress consultant, digital marketer, data analyst, basically an expert who can do that necessary deep dive analysis and guide businesses to real solutions, not just surface checks.

You can find him at michelebedin.com.

[Speaker 2]
OK, good to know there are experts like that. So does making a site accessible mean it has to look, well, boring or dated? I think that's a common worry.

[Speaker 1]
That's a total myth. The source busts that one wide open. Modern accessibility is built on inclusive design principles.

Meaning you think about all users right from the start. You can absolutely create sites that are fully functional for everyone and look great, modern, totally on brand. The two aren't mutually exclusive at all.

[Speaker 2]
It's really good to hear. OK, one last thing from the source, this accessibility statement. What is that?

[Speaker 1]
Yes, for companies that are obligated to comply, you need one of these. It's basically a public declaration about your site's accessibility level.

[Speaker 2]
Like a report card?

[Speaker 1]
Sort of. You state if your site is fully compliant, partially compliant or noncompliant. You have to list any bits that aren't accessible and explain why, offer users a clear way to give feedback, and you need to update it at least once a year.

[Speaker 2]
Does it need a lawyer? Sounds official.

[Speaker 1]
Generally, no, according to the source, unless maybe you're invoking that disproportionate burden thing. It's often a form provided by national authorities. The key is that it must be accurate.

That you just publish it somewhere visible on your site, usually linked in the footer.

[Speaker 2]
OK, so let's pull this all together then. The bottom line seems to be for a lot of businesses selling online in Europe, this EAA compliance isn't optional.

[Speaker 1]
Not at all. It's a legal requirement, the deadlines are real, and those quick fix overlays just aren't going to cut it.

[Speaker 2]
And navigating the technical stuff, especially on platforms like WordPress, really needs more than a superficial look.

[Speaker 1]
Definitely. As the source material stresses, you need that detailed analysis, likely professional support, to get it right and make sure it lasts. Experts like Michele Bedin can be crucial here.

[Speaker 2]
Right. And thinking beyond just the legal side, beyond avoiding fines, embracing accessibility, it seems like it just makes good business sense, doesn't it?

[Speaker 1]
Absolutely. It expands your audience, boosts your brand's reputation as being inclusive, and honestly, it just helps create a better web for everyone.

[Speaker 2]
So maybe the final thought for everyone listening is, beyond the rules, how can making your online space truly inclusive benefit your business and all your users? What steps are you going to take today?