The EAA 2025: That's what matters!

Is digital accessibility a must? By all means! From 2025, the accessibility of digital content will be required by law - namely by the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The German law implementing the EAA is the so-called “Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz” (BFSG).

However, in our dynamic, digitalised world, digital accessibility is much more than a legal obligation - it is the key to success, true inclusion and equal opportunities for all! At Eye-Able®, we are passionate about breaking down digital barriers and ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, has access to vital information and services. That's why we've put together the most important facts and figures about the EAA and the BFSG in one article!

What exactly does it mean for you to implement digital accessibility? And what do you need to know about the EAA and BFSG by 2025? Don't worry! We're here to take you by the hand and show you, step by step, what really matters.

What do you need to be aware of?

Basically: Digital accessibility involves designing digital content, websites and applications so that they can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. It is not just about technical adaptations but about creating an inclusive digital environment. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard for digital accessibility. They provide comprehensive recommendations for improving accessibility and are internationally recognised.

The 4 basic principles of WCAG are

1. Perceivable

All information must be presented in a way that is perceivable by all users. This includes

o Text alternatives for non-text content (e.g. images, video)

o Sufficient colour contrast between text and background

o Subtitles and transcripts for multimedia content.

2. Operable

User interfaces must be usable by all users:

o Navigation should be clear and consistent

o All functions should be accessible via the keyboard

o Interactive elements should be clearly labelled

3. Understandable

Information and user interface must be understandable:

o Use clear, simple language

o Write instructions and error messages in an understandable way.

4. Robust

Content must be designed to be interpreted by different technologies (e.g. screen readers):

o Use standard HTML and ARIA tags

o Ensuring that new technologies and assistive technologies work without problems.

Legally speaking: Requirements by the EAA and the BFSG

With the adoption of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), it will be mandatory for companies in Europe to make their digital content accessible from 2025. This applies to both existing and new content.

Deadline: 28.06.2025

These are the key directives of the EAA:

• Accessibility of digital products and services: All digital content provided by companies must be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities.

• Transparent reporting: Companies must demonstrate that they are implementing and continuously improving accessibility.

• Customer feedback: Regular feedback from users with disabilities is required to identify and remove barriers

• Accessibility statement: An accessibility statement is a document that requires companies and organisations to state the extent to which their digital offerings are accessible to people with disabilities.

Did you know? We also have a tool that you can use to get your accessibility statement in just a few minutes. Have a look at our website. It's one less thing to worry about!

Who needs to comply with the EAA?

The EAA is aimed at a wide range of organisations and businesses. The policies are clear:

• Companies with more than 10 employees or an annual turnover of more than €2 million are obliged to comply. (may vary depending on the country)

• Public bodies and organisations covered by the EU directives must also ensure accessibility in their digital offerings.

Fines and legal consequences

Companies that fail to comply with the requirements of the EAA and the BFSG risk significant fines of up to €100,000. These financial consequences can not only place a heavy burden on the company's finances but can also cause lasting damage to the company's reputation. In some cases, the company's own website may even be taken offline. In addition, legal action may be taken by affected parties or regulators, resulting in further costs and organisational problems.

Benefits of digital accessibility

In addition to legal benefits, there are many economic and social benefits to implementing digital accessibility:

1. Broadening the Target Group

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.3 billion people in the world have some form of disability. That's 16% of the world's population who could struggle to understand your content without digital accessibility! By making your digital offerings accessible, you can extend your reach and attract new customers.

2. Improve the User Experience

Accessible websites and applications are generally more user-friendly for everyone. Intuitive navigation, clear structures and understandable content improve the user experience and increase customer satisfaction. A positive user experience leads to increased customer loyalty and repeat visits.

3. Increased Competitiveness

Companies that take accessibility seriously stand out from the competition. A positive reputation and brand image help to increase customer trust and brand loyalty. Customers are more likely to buy from companies that are socially responsible and promote inclusion.

4. Legal Compliance

With the imminent introduction of the EAA and the BFSG, companies need to ensure that their digital offerings are accessible to avoid legal consequences. By taking proactive steps to meet these requirements, you can protect your company from potential penalties and legal issues.

What will be important in 2025?

1. Inventory of digital offerings

The first step towards digital accessibility is a thorough analysis of your existing digital content and services. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

- Are our websites and applications already accessible?

- What barriers do our users with disabilities face?

Tools such as our Eye-Able® Audit can help you assess your current level of accessibility and identify specific actions you can take to improve. The tool gives you a comprehensive overview of existing barriers and shows where adjustments are needed.

2. Implement WCAG guidelines

Compliance with the WCAG guidelines is essential to meet legal requirements. Here are some examples of specific actions you can take:

• Design accessible content:

o   Use alternative text for images to make their content understandable to screen reader users.

o   Ensure that all multimedia content is captioned and closed captioned.

• Improve navigation:

o   Review your website navigation for ease of use and consistency

o   Ensure that all functions are also accessible via keyboard

• Ensure intelligibility:

o   Use clear and simple language in your content

o   Write error messages and instructions in a way that everyone can understand.

3. Training and awareness raising

An inclusive culture starts with awareness among all employees. Here are some steps you can take:

• Provide regular training: Provide digital accessibility training to ensure that all employees understand the importance of accessibility and consider it in their daily work.

By the way, we at Eye-Able® also offer digital accessibility training and workshops led by people with disabilities!

• Provide resources: Provide information materials and resources that promote      

   digital accessibility awareness.

4. Continuous improvement and feedback

Digital accessibility is a continuous process. Here are some steps you can take:

• Seek regular feedback: Ask users* with disabilities about their experiences and   

  gather feedback on existing barriers. You can use surveys and one-on-one     interviews to get a full picture.

• Update and adapt: Based on feedback, you should regularly review and adapt your digital content and services. Look at the most common issues and prioritise their resolution.

Assistive technologies such as Eye-Able® Assist provide support to optimise the user experience and implement additional features to improve accessibility.

A benefit for everyone!

Digital accessibility is not a one-off project but an ongoing process that should benefit everyone. The EAA and the BFSG provide a clear framework, but ultimately it is up to businesses to put these requirements into practice and create an inclusive digital world. However, this does not have to be a disadvantage, it can also bring many benefits. For you and for your users.

At Eye-Able®, we want to be your partner on this journey. Let's work together to make the digital landscape accessible for everyone! Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can make your digital infrastructure accessible.

Together we can break down barriers!