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From 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882) will officially come into force throughout the European Union, a regulation that marks a decisive step towards inclusiveness in access to digital products and services. But what exactly does this directive provide? And above all, what will its concrete implications be for those who work in the IT sector?
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a directive approved in 2019 by the European Union with the aim to remove digital barriers that hinder access to technologies and services by people with disabilities, older people or those with special needs.
The central idea is simple: make technology accessible to all, ensuring that key products and services are designed according to common accessibility criteria across the EU.
Timeframe
- National transposition: by 28 June 2022 (in Italy it was transposed with theLegislative Decree 82/2022).
- Obligation to comply: from 28 June 2025.
What does it apply to?
The EAA focuses on a number of essential products and services, including:
- Websites and mobile apps
- Payment terminals and ATMs
- E-books and digital readers
- Digital transport services (apps, online ticketing)
- E-commerce
- Digital banking
- Electronic emergency services
Implications for the IT sector
1. Digital Design and Development
For those who develop websites, apps, software or digital platforms, the EAA requires compliance with specific accessibility standards, in line with international guidelines such as the WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
This means:
- Alternative texts for images
- Keyboard navigation
- Compatibility with screen readers
- Readable colors and contrasts
- Understandable and structured content
2. Inclusive user experience (UX)
The design of the user experience must consider a variety of physical, sensorial and cognitive abilities. Accessibility will no longer be a “plus”, but a legal necessity.
3. Audits and compliance
Companies will have to carry out technical accessibility checks on their digital products and services, documenting the solutions adopted to ensure compliance. This could include:
- Automatic and manual tests
- Drafting accessibility statements
- Corrective actions in the event of reports or complaints
4. Obligations for companies
All companies operating in the European market will have to comply, including non-EU suppliers selling digital products and services in Europe. SMEs may benefit from some exemptions or simplified measures, but the principle of accessibility remains valid for everyone.
5. Useful tools: WAVE to check accessibility
For those who develop or manage websites, a free and very useful tool is WAVE – Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool, developed by WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind).
WAVE allows you to quickly analyze a web page and identify elements that do not comply with the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, highlighting:
- Visual contrast errors
- Lack of alternative texts for images
- Structure problems in titles
- Non-descriptive links
- Elements not accessible from the keyboard
The tool is available both as a browser extension (Chrome and Firefox), and online via the official website:
Using tools like WAVE is a crucial first step to move closer to regulatory compliance and ensure an inclusive experience for all users.
Why is it important to act now?
Time to adapt is running out. For IT companies, this means updating tools, processes and skills. But it is also an opportunity: investing in accessibility not only avoids fines, but improve the user experience for all, expands the market and strengthens the company's reputation.
Conclusion
The European Accessibility Act is not just a regulatory obligation: it is a call for responsible innovation. For the digital world, it represents a concrete opportunity to build more inclusive, equitable and truly accessible technologies for all.
"An accessible digital world is a fairer world. And from June 2025, it will also be a mandatory world."
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