What the EAA is, and what it means for you

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive aimed at improving access to products and services for people with disabilities across the European Union. It was adopted in 2019, and member states are required to implement its provisions into national law by June 2025.

The EAA focuses on the removal of barriers that hinder equal access to products and services, ensuring that people with disabilities have the same access to goods and services as everyone else. It applies to a wide range of products and services, including:

– ATMs and ticketing machines
– Smartphones and computers
– Television services and equipment
– E-books and e-readers
– Online shopping platforms
– Banking services
– Transport services like booking systems

The act is also aligned with the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It sets specific accessibility requirements to ensure that products and services are designed in a way that makes them more accessible to people with various disabilities, including sensory, cognitive, and physical impairments.

Key elements of the European Accessibility Act:
1. Universal Design Principles: Products and services must be designed to be accessible to the greatest extent possible.
2. Harmonized Accessibility Standards: The EAA provides consistent rules across the EU, reducing market fragmentation and ensuring a level playing field for businesses.
3. Scope of Application: Applies to private businesses as well as public entities. Companies that fail to comply may face penalties.
4. Equal Participation: Enhances the ability of people with disabilities to participate in economic, social, and cultural life.

The EAA aims to not only improve the lives of people with disabilities but also promote innovation by encouraging businesses to create more inclusive products and services, which benefit a broader section of society.

Wonder Works can help…

Wonder Works, as experts in accessible and universal graphic design, can help you and your organization meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). We understand the importance of designing products and services that are inclusive and easy to use for people of all abilities. Here’s how we can assist you:

1. Accessible Website Design: We can help ensure your website meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), creating user-friendly layouts that accommodate people with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor disabilities. This includes making your site compatible with screen readers, providing clear navigation, and optimizing content structure.

2. Inclusive Digital Interfaces: We can design intuitive and accessible digital products, such as apps, online platforms, and software, incorporating universal design principles to enhance usability for all. This will help your organization comply with the EAA.

3. Accessible Print and Digital Documents: Whether you need an annual report or marketing materials, we can design your documents to be readable by everyone, offering large text, high contrast, and user-friendly formats that cater to people with visual impairments.

4. Consulting and Audits: We can audit your existing design assets to identify accessibility gaps. Our team will recommend and implement improvements to make your brand more inclusive and aligned with EAA standards.

5. Training: Wonder Works offers training for your internal design teams on accessible design practices, helping you continue to develop products that meet universal accessibility standards.

By partnering with Wonder Works, you’ll not only create visually appealing designs but also ensure they are fully accessible to everyone, improving user experience and keeping your organization compliant with EU regulations.

A sliding scale…

Accessible design can be implemented on a sliding scale, allowing you to choose the level of accessibility that fits your needs. Wonder Works can help at any stage, from broad usability to full compliance with legal standards. But remember, if you want to pass Accessiblity Audits you CAN’T cut corners and there are no shortcuts.

1. Universal Design Friendly
We start by incorporating universal design principles, making your products naturally more accessible to a broad audience. This includes simple layouts, easy-to-read fonts, and intuitive navigation.

2. Accessibility Features
Next, we can integrate specific accessibility features like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, alt text, and descriptive links, making your content more inclusive for people with disabilities.

3. WCAG-Compliant Design
For more structured accessibility, we ensure your digital assets meet **WCAG standards**. This includes scalable text, high-contrast designs, and accessible forms, improving usability for people with diverse needs.

4. Fully Audited PDFs
At the highest level, we create fully accessible, audited PDFs. These documents are tagged for screen readers, feature proper reading order, and comply with PDF/UA standards.

Wonder Works offers a tailored approach, helping you create accessible, user-friendly designs while meeting compliance standards like the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

Get in touch with Wonder Works today and we can help structure how you procure Accessible Design and we can provide workshops and all your accessible design needs.