The European Accessibility Act (EAA), set to come into full effect in 2025, is a pivotal regulation designed to ensure that goods and services across the European Union (EU) are accessible to people with disabilities.
Publishers, in particular, must pay attention to this act as it will mandate new accessibility standards for digital publications, websites, and related online services. Understanding and complying with these requirements is crucial to avoid potential legal and financial repercussions, as well as to broaden audience reach by making content more accessible to all.
We've had our eye on the EAA since its adoption and continue develop the YUDU Publisher platform to help our clients prepare for and meet these new standards.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act is a directive that was adopted in 2019 by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. It aims to harmonise accessibility standards across the EU and improve the functioning of the internal market for accessible products and services.
The EAA focuses on eliminating barriers in the digital and physical environment, ensuring that all consumers, including those with disabilities, have access to information, products, and services.
The act targets a broad range of sectors and services, including:
- Digital products and services - like e-books, digital textbooks and digital apps
- Banking services - eg. ATMs and payment terminals
- Transport - including ticketing and check-in machines
- Audiovisual media services
- E-commerce platforms
Impact on Digital Publications
For publishers, the EAA’s impact is particularly significant. The act covers digital publications, including e-books, digital apps and audiobooks and mandates that they meet specific accessibility requirements. Here's what publishers need to know:
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Accessible Digital Content: All e-books and digital content must be made accessible to people with disabilities. This includes providing text that can be easily read by screen readers, offering alternative text for images, and ensuring that navigational elements such as tables of contents are properly structured.
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Web Accessibility Compliance: Publishers must ensure their websites comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA. This includes making websites and online services operable, perceivable, understandable, and robust. Elements like font size, color contrast, keyboard navigation, and captioning of multimedia content must be designed to be accessible.
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Accessible User Interfaces: E-book readers and other digital platforms that publishers use must also provide accessible user interfaces. This involves ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies, such as screen readers, voice recognition software, and text-to-speech tools.
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Metadata Requirements: Publishers are required to provide detailed accessibility metadata for their digital publications. This metadata should describe the specific accessibility features of an e-book or digital content, such as whether it supports text-to-speech functionality, has a navigable table of contents, or provides alternative text for images.
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Compatibility with Assistive Technologies: Digital publications and websites must be compatible with a wide range of assistive technologies. This involves ensuring that e-books are readable on accessible reading devices and that websites can be navigated using various assistive tools.
Impact on Websites and Online Services
In addition to digital publications, the EAA sets requirements for websites and online services, which are essential for publishers who distribute or promote content online. The requirements include:
- Navigation and Interactive Elements: Ensuring that all website functionalities, such as forms, search tools, menus, and interactive elements, are fully navigable using a keyboard and accessible for people with motor disabilities.
- Content Structure and Presentation: Providing content that is easily understandable by making sure that the text is simple, concise, and readable. The presentation should adapt to different devices, including assistive technologies.
- Media Accessibility: Providing captions and transcripts for audio and video content, as well as ensuring that multimedia elements do not rely solely on color, sound, or other sensory characteristics to convey meaning.
Steps Publishers Should Take to Comply
To align with the EAA, publishers should undertake the following steps:
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Conduct an Accessibility Audit: Evaluate existing digital publications, websites, and online services for compliance with standards by completing an accessibility audit. Identify areas that do not meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements and create a plan for remediation.
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Update Digital Content and Platforms: Make necessary updates to e-books, audiobooks, and other digital content to ensure they meet accessibility standards. This includes reformatting files, updating metadata, and incorporating accessible navigation and alternative text.
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Train Staff and Partners: Ensure that all staff members, including editors, designers, and developers, understand accessibility requirements. Consider providing training sessions and resources to help them create accessible content from the start.
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Collaborate with Technology Providers: Work with e-book distributors, digital publishing platform providers, and other technology partners to ensure that their services comply with accessibility standards. Ensure that e-book readers, mobile apps, and websites are fully accessible.
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Monitor and Update Regularly: Accessibility is not a one-time effort. Regularly monitor your digital content and platforms for accessibility issues and keep them updated to align with evolving standards and technologies.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with the EAA could lead to significant consequences, including:
- Fines and Penalties: Each EU member state will enforce the act and impose fines or penalties for non-compliance. The severity of the penalties will depend on the nature and extent of the breach.
- Legal Risks: Non-compliance could expose publishers to legal challenges from consumers or advocacy groups.
- Reputational Damage: Failing to meet accessibility standards could damage a publisher's reputation and brand, resulting in a loss of trust among customers.
Benefits of Compliance
While the EAA introduces new requirements, it also presents opportunities for publishers to:
- Expand Audience Reach: By making digital content more accessible, publishers can reach a broader audience, including millions of Europeans with disabilities.
- Improve User Experience: Accessibility improvements often enhance the overall user experience, benefiting all readers, including those without disabilities.
- Create a Competitive Advantage: Early compliance with the EAA can position publishers as leaders in inclusivity and accessibility, fostering goodwill and positive brand recognition.
Conclusion
The European Accessibility Act 2025 represents a significant shift toward a more inclusive digital landscape in the EU. For publishers, it means adopting new standards for digital publications and websites to ensure accessibility for all.
By proactively addressing these requirements, publishers can not only avoid legal and financial risks but also unlock new opportunities to engage with a wider audience, enhance their brand, and demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility.
