As the EU Accessibility Act 2025 comes into effect, it's essential to consider what this means for individuals with disabilities. The act aims to ensure that all products and services are accessible to those with disabilities, including websites, mobile apps, and other digital technologies.

This act is a massive step toward making Europe more inclusive and accessible. By ensuring that products and services are accessible to all, regardless of ability, we are creating a more equal society. This not only benefits individuals with disabilities but also society as a whole.

The EU Accessibility Act 2025 calls for businesses and organizations to prioritize accessibility in their products and services. It's time to move away from the idea that accessibility is an afterthought and instead integrate it into the design process.

As we move forward, it's important to remember that accessibility is not just a legal requirement but also a moral imperative. By creating products and services that are accessible to all, we are creating a more inclusive and welcoming society. Let's embrace the EU Accessibility Act 2025 and work towards a more accessible future.

What does the EU Accessibility Act Cover?

The EU Accessibility Act is an essential piece of legislation that aims to improve the accessibility of products and services for people with disabilities. It covers many areas, including information and communication technologies, transport, banking, and e-commerce. The act requires that all products and services be made accessible to people with disabilities, and that companies ensure that their websites, apps, and other digital products are accessible. 

 These products and services include:

• ATMs, ticketing, and check-in machines
• Computers and operating systems
• smartphones
• Telephone services and equipment
• TV equipment related to digital television services
• services related to air, bus, rail, and waterborne passenger transport
• access to audio-visual media services such as television broadcasts and related consumer equipment
• banking services
• e-commerce
• e-books
  
  

WCAG and the EU Web Accessibility Directive

The EU Web Accessibility Act of 2025 is an important piece of legislation that requires all public sector websites and mobile apps to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. In order to comply with this act, it is crucial to understand the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and how they apply to the EU.

The WCAG is a set of guidelines created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) that provides recommendations for making websites more accessible. In order to comply with the EU Web Accessibility Act of 2025, it is necessary to follow the WCAG 2.1 at the AA level. This includes providing alternative text for images and videos, ensuring that websites can be navigated using a keyboard, and using clear and concise language.

One of the key requirements of the WCAG 2.1 AA level is providing alternative text for images and videos. This is important for individuals with visual impairments who rely on screen readers to navigate websites. By providing alternative text, individuals with disabilities can understand the content on the website. In addition, it is important to ensure that websites can be navigated using a keyboard, as some individuals with disabilities are unable to use a mouse.

Another important requirement of the WCAG 2.1 AA level is using clear and concise language. This is important for individuals with cognitive disabilities who may have difficulty understanding complex language. By using clear and concise language, individuals with disabilities can understand the content on the website.

By following the WCAG 2.1 AA level, businesses and organizations can ensure that their websites and mobile apps are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This not only helps to comply with the EU Web Accessibility Act of 2025, but also creates a more inclusive and welcoming society. It's important to remember that accessibility is not just a legal requirement, but also a moral imperative. By prioritizing accessibility in web design, we can work towards a more accessible future for all.

A tool to stay compliant with the EU Accessibility Act

As businesses and organizations work towards complying with the EU Web Accessibility Act of 2025, it's important to have the right tools to ensure that websites and mobile apps are accessible to individuals with disabilities. One such tool is Dyno Mapper, a website mapping and accessibility testing tool that can help you stay compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA.

Dyno Mapper offers a range of features that can help you identify accessibility issues on your website. With its accessibility testing tool, you can test your website for compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA, including issues related to alternative text, keyboard navigation, and language clarity. The tool provides detailed reports that highlight any accessibility issues and suggest ways to fix them.

In addition to its accessibility testing tool, Dyno Mapper also offers a website mapping tool that can help you visualize the structure of your website. This can be useful for identifying areas of your website that may be difficult to navigate for individuals with disabilities. By understanding the structure of your website, you can make informed decisions about how to improve accessibility.

One of the key benefits of Dyno Mapper is its user-friendly interface. The tool is easy to use, even for those who may not have a technical background. The reports generated by the tool are also easy to understand, making it simple to identify accessibility issues and take action to fix them.

Dyno Mapper is a valuable tool for businesses and organizations that want to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA. By using the tool to identify accessibility issues and take action to fix them, you can create a more inclusive and welcoming online experience for all users. 

Author: Garenne BigbyWebsite: http://garennebigby.com

Founder of DYNO Mapper and Former Advisory Committee Representative at the W3C.