Making digital accessibility our new norm

Text: Anna Pawlowicz Pics: HumanRise FB Page

Digital accessibility is the practice of designing digital products and services in a way that allows people of all abilities to access, navigate and use them effectively. Most of us may associate digital accessibility with designing for individuals with disabilities, but in fact, everyone benefits from accessible products. Voice recognition (like Siri or Alexa), captions and subtitles (like those we use on Netflix), or autocorrect were all designed for people with disabilities and have since become features most of us use daily.

What is the European Accessibility Act?

To make products and services more accessible to all, the EU introduced the European Accessibility Act (EEA) - a new directive aiming to improve the functioning of the market for accessible products and services with consistent rules for all EU Member States. Coming into force on 28 June 2025, the EEA requires all companies with more than ten employees or an annual turnover of more than €2 million to be compliant with its regulations. The EEA covers a multitude of sectors, including telecommunications, banking services, e-commerce, transportation, and digital products like websites, computers and smartphones.

What improvements to accessibility will the EEA introduce?

Businesses required to comply with the EEA can consider this directive as a strategic activity to make their products and services available to a much larger market.

There are plenty of improvements in accessibility the EEA will bring, including these:

• ATMs will need to include features like voice guidance, tactile keypads, and high-contrast displays, which will benefit individuals with visual or motor impairments.

• Public transport will become easier to use, with ticketing machines or real-time travel displays needing to be adapted (audio announcements and large fonts will become mainstream).

• Digital books or e-readers will need to include alternative formats with adjustable font sizes or text-to-speech options, benefiting readers with dyslexia or blindness.

• Online education platforms and e-learning tools will need to incorporate features like keyboard navigation, transcripts or adjustable font, making learning accessible to students with conditions affecting their vision, hearing or motor skills.

The above examples have clear benefits for individuals with conditions classified as disabilities, but it’s important to consider that most of us will appreciate the adjustments just as much:

• An ATM with voice guidance may be helpful for a mother with a baby in her arms, who will now be able to withdraw cash without having to touch the screen.

• Audio announcements on public transport may make travel through the city easier for children, the elderly, or anyone who cannot monitor the display on a train screen due to a crowded carriage.

• Text-to-speech options in digital books will benefit those perfecting their language skills, giving opportunities to simultaneously read and listen to books in foreign languages.

• Those of us who enjoy online classes will find that digitally accessible e-learning will make learning more enjoyable and available in many environments, such as low-light spaces.

"Improved digital accessibility will make life easier for millions of people and benefit businesses creating and distributing digital products and services in Denmark and internationally."

What are your next steps if the EEA impacts your business?

Improved digital accessibility will make life easier for millions of people and benefit businesses creating and distributing digital products and services in Denmark and internationally.

According to these guidelines from the European Commission, businesses required to comply with the new regulations will need to ensure that their products and services comply with the EEA from 28 June 2025. To check if the directive impacts your business, it’s worth reviewing national laws and regulations as well as EEA requirements applicable to your country.

Additionally, completing a digital accessibility audit of your products and services will be a meaningful step towards compliance – and one that will likely open new opportunities for your services to be purchased and used more widely.

By embracing the European Accessibility Act and making digital accessibility our new norm, we unlock a world where inclusion is not just a legal requirement but a shared advantage - benefiting individuals and businesses alike.

If you have questions about this topic or article, we’re here to answer them. You’re welcome to contact me (anna@wearehumankind.dk).