The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is reshaping the digital landscape, making accessibility a legal requirement for publishers across the European Union (EU) by June 28, 2025. Non-compliance could mean fines, loss of market access, and reputational risks. But beyond legal obligations, embracing accessibility expands your audience, enhances user experience, and strengthens brand credibility.

This blog provides a clear roadmap to EAA compliance, covering essential accessibility standards, best practices, and key tools to ensure your digital content meets regulatory requirements.

Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The EAA is a directive aimed at harmonizing accessibility requirements for products and services within the EU. Its primary goal is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to digital content, products, and services. For publishers, this encompasses websites, e-books, online journals, and other digital publications. Compliance with the EAA is not optional; it is a legal obligation that carries significant penalties for non-compliance.

Who Needs to Comply with the EAA?

The EAA applies to:

• Publishers based in the EU: Required to make all digital content accessible.
• International publishers distributing in the EU: Non-EU publishers offering e-books or digital content in the European market must also comply.
• Educational and research institutions: Universities and academic publishers must ensure that their content is accessible.

Key Accessibility Requirements for Publishers Under the EAA

To comply with the EAA, publishers must ensure their digital content meets the following criteria:

• Perceivable: Information must be presented in ways that users can perceive, such as providing text alternatives for images.
• Operable: User interface components must be navigable via keyboard and assistive technologies.
• Understandable: Content should be structured in a way that is predictable and easy to comprehend.
• Robust: Digital publications should be compatible with various assistive technologies.

These principles align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA, which serve as the benchmark for digital accessibility under the EAA.

Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving EAA Compliance

1. Conduct an Accessibility Audit

Start by assessing your digital content for accessibility gaps:

• Review websites, e-books, and online platforms.
• Test navigation elements, multimedia content, and document structures.
• Use automated tools like Axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse for initial scans.

2. Develop an Accessibility Action Plan

Based on the audit findings:

• Prioritize accessibility issues and set timelines for remediation.
• Allocate resources and responsibilities within your team.

3. Implement Necessary Changes

• Update website and e-book code to ensure compliance.
• Enhance content formats (e.g., using EPUB3 for e-books).
• Improve keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.

4. Train Your Team

• Conduct accessibility training workshops.
• Provide resources and encourage certification in accessibility standards.

5. Monitor and Maintain Accessibility

• Perform regular compliance checks using both automated and manual testing.
• Gather user feedback and make continuous improvements.

Common Accessibility Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Missing Alternative Text for Images: Ensure all images have descriptive alt text.
• Poor Color Contrast: Use contrast checkers to ensure readability for visually impaired users.
• Inaccessible Multimedia Content: Provide captions and transcripts for videos and audio files.
• Unstructured Content: Use proper headings and semantic HTML to improve readability and navigation.

Checklist for EAA Compliance

1. Conduct an accessibility audit
2. Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA
3. Provide alternative text for images
4. Ensure keyboard navigability
5. Use accessible EPUB formats
6. Add captions and transcripts to multimedia content
7. Regularly test content with accessibility tools
8. Train staff on accessibility best practices

The Future of Digital Accessibility: Key Trends to Watch

AI-powered accessibility tools are revolutionizing the industry by automating compliance checks and remediation, making it easier to identify and fix accessibility barriers efficiently. Additionally, advancements in voice navigation and assistive technology integration are enhancing usability for individuals with disabilities, enabling seamless interaction with digital content. As accessibility standards continue to evolve, staying updated with WCAG 2.2 and future updates is crucial to ensuring long-term compliance and inclusivity.

Essential Tools and Resources for EAA and WCAG Compliance

To achieve EAA and WCAG compliance, publishers can leverage various tools and resources. Automated testing tools like Axe, WAVE, and Lighthouse help identify accessibility gaps in digital content, while manual testing using screen readers such as NVDA and JAWS ensures a real-world user experience for individuals with visual impairments. For e-books and digital publications, EPUB accessibility tools like Ace by DAISY play a key role in maintaining compliance. Additionally, following established guidelines and checklists such as WCAG 2.1 and EAA compliance guides helps organizations systematically implement accessibility best practices.

The Consequences of Non-Compliance with the EAA

Non-compliance with the European Accessibility Act can have severe consequences for publishers and businesses operating in the EU. Companies that fail to meet accessibility requirements may face substantial fines and legal actions, leading to financial losses and operational disruptions.

Moreover, non-compliant publishers risk losing market access, as their digital content may be restricted from distribution within the EU. Beyond legal and financial implications, reputational damage is a significant concern. Organizations that neglect accessibility standards may harm their brand credibility and lose the trust of their audience, ultimately affecting customer engagement and business growth.

Conclusion

EAA compliance is not just a legal requirement, it’s an opportunity to enhance user experience, expand your audience, and demonstrate corporate social responsibility. By following the steps outlined in this blog, publishers can successfully achieve compliance and create accessible, inclusive digital content that benefits everyone.

At Lumina Datamatics, we are dedicated to making digital content accessible, inclusive, and compliant with global standards like WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Our comprehensive accessibility solutions include Alt Text writing and reviewing, accessibility audits, audio/video transcription, subtitles/closed captions, accessible EPUB & XML conversion, accessible document formatting (PDF/Word/Excel/PPT), and web accessibility compliance and remediation. By addressing accessibility barriers and ensuring compliance, we help organizations enhance user experience, expand their audience reach, and avoid legal risks.

Click here to learn more about our Accessibility Services.