EAA — European Accessibility Act. Accessibility rules for UX and UI.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is European Union legislation aimed at improving the accessibility of products and services within the European Single Market. This law makes clear requirements for certain key products and services to be accessible to people with disabilities. The EAA was adopted in 2019 and provides the basis for harmonising accessibility rules across EU member states.
Why is the EAA important?
The European Union estimates that more than 80 million people live in the EU with disabilities, representing a significant part of the population. Accessibility refers to everyday aspects of life and affects how people with visual, hearing, movement or cognitive disabilities can use products and services. Without ensuring adequate accessibility, these people may be excluded from using basic services that are commonplace for others.
The EAA ensures that products and services are designed to be easily used by everyone, including people with disabilities. This not only increases the quality of life for these citizens, but also promotes inclusion and equality in society.
What does the EAA cover?
EAA focuses on products and services that are widely used by the public. Key areas covered by this Act include:
Banking services: Access to ATMs and internet banking must be accessible to all users.
E-commerce (e-commerce): Websites and mobile apps for shopping must meet accessibility standards.
E-books and readers: E-books need to be accessible to people with visual impairments, for example, thanks to technologies that allow text to be read.
Audiovisual media: Television services and streaming platforms must provide features such as subtitles or audio descriptions to make them accessible even to people with hearing impairments.
Telecommunication services: Mobile and Internet services must be designed so that even people with disabilities can easily use them.
Transport services: Information and reservation systems in public transport must be accessible, which also includes ticket machines
What are the obligations of companies?
The EAA sets out specific requirements that manufacturers and service providers must meet to ensure the accessibility of their products and services. Firms will have to ensure their offerings meet technical specifications that make it easier to use them for people with disabilities. For example:
- Websites and mobile applications must be designed according to the principles of accessible design, including the correct use of colors, contrasts, texts and features compatible with assistive technologies (e.g. screen readers).
- Digital devices such as ATMs, ticket machines or payment terminals, be adapted for users with motor or sensory impairments;.
If the products or services do not meet the requirements of the EAA, firms could face fines or penalties on the part of the regulators.
How does EAA influence digital product design and development?
For digital product designers and developers, EAA means the need to include accessibility in all stages of development, from concept to final product. Accessibility is no longer just an “add-on”, but a key part of the design.
This may mean:
Compliance with standards:
Designers and developers must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and ensure that their products are applicable to all.
Increased Awareness:
Development teams need to understand the needs of people with disabilities and integrate features such as voice controls, text enlargement or keyboard-only navigation.
Effect of EAA on UX and UI design:
The EAA places great emphasis on making digital products accessible to a broad spectrum of users, including people with disabilities. This means that user interface (UI) and experience (UX) designers must carefully consider the needs of all users from the initial stages of design. For UX design, this includes creating intuitive and easy-to-navigate interfaces, where the emphasis is on readability, contrast, and the ability to use assistive technologies such as screen readers. UI design must ensure that controls such as buttons or forms are large enough and easy to use, including alternative modes of control (e.g. voice control or keyboard). Adherence to these principles not only meets the requirements of the EAA, but also contributes to the creation of inclusive and user-friendly products that can improve the user experience for all.
How does the EAA contribute to inclusion and innovation?
As well as promoting social inclusion, the EAA also creates opportunities for innovation. When designing products with accessibility in mind, businesses often discover new ways to improve the user experience for all customers, not just those with disabilities. For example, features such as voice control or a customizable interface are becoming useful to the general public.
What in conclusion?
The European Accessibility Act is a step forward towards creating a more inclusive society. Its introduction brings new challenges for companies, but also provides opportunities for growth and innovation. Companies that incorporate accessibility into their product design and development will not only meet the legislative requirements, but also contribute to a better life for millions of people across Europe.
Accessibility is no longer an option — it is a necessity for the future of design and services.