Countdown to compliance: preparing for the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
"Waiting until the last minute isn’t a strategy. It’s a gamble."
Sometimes a quote sums it all up. 28 June isn’t just a date, nor is it simply King Henry VIII’s birthday (fun fact, he would turn 534 if he were still alive). For businesses across the EU and beyond, it’s the start of a compliance clock ticking toward critical milestones outlined in the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
The EAA isn’t just another set of regulations; it’s a move toward a more inclusive, accessible digital world. Any business offering services within this space must start to consider how they will be impacted.
Decoding EAA Requirements
The EAA sets clear goals across EU member countries. New content must meet benchmarks by 28 June 2025. Providers can continue to offer services using products that were lawfully used before 28 June 2025, until 28 June 2030.
That 2030 milestone is when full compliance becomes mandatory, no exceptions or extensions. It’s the ultimate get-it-right-or-pay-the-price line in the sand. Falling short means your services may not be marketable across the EU. While enforcement details are still unclear, non-compliance fines could be hefty..
Websites and apps must be navigable by assistive technologies, like screen readers. Subtitles, closed captions, and audio descriptions are mandatory. Multilingual content must be seamless with clear, concise labeling and switching options. The final requirement is enhanced interactivity. Voice control and text-to-speech aren’t optional luxuries anymore.
The most significant hurdle? Localizing accessibility for diverse languages and cultural contexts. But here’s where efficiency and forward-thinking shine.
Five Questions Businesses Should Ask
Building a meaningful compliance strategy requires asking the right questions to rethink your operations for customers and teams.
- Have we audited our digital products?
Think of your content library as an attic, accumulating a growing collection of items (including some nostalgic treasures!) over the years. It’s essential to conduct a full audit, especially if archives have grown organically over time or through mergers and acquisitions.
Consider this a chance to reimagine your digital space. Tidy up. Adopt robust accessibility standards, so content has purpose and reach. Invest in workflows that consistently evaluate and monitor for the long haul.
- Do we support assistive technologies?
True accessibility means more than box-checking "compatibility" with screen readers. Seamless, intuitive experiences for assistive tech users requires baking accessibility into your design philosophy rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Everyone plays a role in ensuring media is intuitive for individuals using assistive technology. Train teams in inclusive design principles. Create environments where all users thrive.
- Are our systems ready for multilingual, accessible content?
When audiences span multiple regions, accessibility is an even greater challenge. Multilingual users with disabilities face distinct barriers, making it essential to create frameworks that pair accessibility with localization.
Delivering universal content that speaks your audience’s language in words and usability is where AI-enhanced localisation tools come into play. The technology to make this happen exists; the question is whether you’re ready to implement it.
- Do we have a clear compliance roadmap?
Without a clear roadmap with milestones, your company risks veering off course. Sure, you might take a few steps, institute some policies, and tick a few boxes—but are you truly moving forward?
Partnering with trusted accessibility consultants gives your roadmap structure. Experts can help plan regular check-ins, ensuring progress is measurable and sustainable. Think of it as hiring a coach not just to teach you how to run a marathon but to map every training step, ensuring you don’t burn out along the way.
- Are we leveraging AI effectively?
Practical AI transforms accessibility efforts from reactive to proactive. But the impact depends on how you use it. Are you merely skimming the surface, or is AI embedded into your strategy for meaningful, scalable change? Focus on practical AI tools that align with your five-year accessibility plan. For example, catalog intelligence tools can help turn a sprawling library into a structured, searchable, rights-aware, and revenue-generating asset—especially crucial for content owners looking to scale globally or keep up with fast-moving distribution demands.
Don’t Bet on Last-Minute Compliance
King Henry VIII's story is a great cautionary tale that shows how procrastination multiplies risk. His obsession with a male heir led him to delay decisive succession planning for years. Don’t be like Henry. Waiting too long to act or hoping problems will solve themselves often leads to costlier, messier outcomes. Just ask Anne Boleyn.
But companies that act early and invest in accessibility now? They’ll meet compliance seamlessly and stand as leaders in an inclusive digital future.
[Editor's note: This is a contributed article from Vubiquity. Streaming Media accepts vendor bylines based solely on their value to our readers.]
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