In today’s digital society, access to the internet and digital services has become essential for participating in everyday life – from employment and education to managing personal finances and healthcare. However, millions of European Union (EU) citizens, especially people with disabilities and older people, still face barriers to using digital tools and content. Digital accessibility plays a key role in ensuring equal access to information and services for all.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility implies the design and development of digital products – websites, applications, documents and multimedia – in a way that they can be used by all users, including people with different types of disabilities (visual, hearing, motor, cognitive).
In practice this means, for example:
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that a blind person can use the website with the help of a screen reader,
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that a person with hearing impairment can follow the video thanks to subtitles,
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that a person with motor disabilities can navigate a website using only the keyboard.
Legislative framework in the European Union
1. Directive on accessibility of websites and mobile applications (Directive (EU) 2016/2102)
This directive obliges public authorities in the Member States to ensure that their websites and mobile applications are accessible according to WCAG 2.1 standards (at least level AA). It has been in force since 2016, and Member States had to ensure that most websites were compliant by 2020 and mobile applications by 2021.
2. European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Adopted in 2019, this law extends accessibility requirements to the private sector. It applies to:
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e-commerce
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ATMs and banking services
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e-books and readers
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electronic communications services (e.g. mobile operator applications)
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computers and operating systems
- websites
Member States had to transpose the EAA into national legislation by 2022, and from 28 June 2025 accessibility is mandatory for the listed products and services.
Current situation in Europe
Although there is a strong legislative framework, implementation is still uneven:
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Most government websites meet basic criteria, but many have problems with readability, contrast, keyboard navigation, or document accessibility.
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The private sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, is often unaware of its obligations nor does it have the knowledge and resources to comply with the rules.
With the introduction of the European Accessible Certificate and regular compliance reports, improvements are expected in the coming years.
Accessibility in practice – What can organizations do?
1. Conduct an accessibility analysis
Using tools like WAVE , axe DevTools or Lighthouse , organizations can quickly identify underlying technical issues on their websites.
2. Include users with disabilities
Testing with real users reveals problems that automated tools cannot detect. Involvement in the design and testing phase helps to create truly affordable solutions.
3. Train development and design teams
Understanding the WCAG standards and the principles of accessible design is essential for anyone involved in the development of digital products.
4. Establish feedback mechanisms
Every website should clearly state a contact through which users can report accessibility issues.
Technical standards – WCAG
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are developed by the W3C. The latest version (2.2) is based on four basic principles:
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Perceptibility – information must be presented in a way that the user can perceive
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Functionality – the user must be able to navigate the interface
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Understandability – content and interface must be clear
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Resilience – content must be compatible with different technologies
Future: Accessibility as the foundation of digital inclusion
With the increasing use of artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR) and other technologies, digital accessibility must not remain just a legal obligation, but must become an integral part of the digital transformation. The European Union is striving to create a digital Europe inclusive for all , and digital accessibility is a cornerstone of that journey.
