Accessible is not optional

Everyone should be able to fill out a form, buy a ticket or report their meter reading without barriers. But that is far from always the reality today. People who have poor eyesight, cannot use a mouse, have difficulty with language or are simply aging encounter unnecessary barriers every day.

Accessibility is not only a legal requirement. It is also a moral responsibility and an opportunity to improve your digital services for all users. In this article we explain what the EAA means, why digital accessibility is important, and what you can do now to take action.

Digital accessibility means that everyone should be able to use digital services, regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive or temporal limitations. Consider:

• Visually impaired people who use a screen reader.
• People with limited hand function who do not use a mouse.
• Elderly people who are less digitally proficient.
• Someone with a broken arm or a baby on their arm - temporarily limited, but dependent on good digital access.

So we are talking about millions of people. Indeed, 27% of the European population has one or more disabilities. In the Netherlands, that's about 5.5 million people. And in 2040, 1 in 4 Dutch people will be 65-plus.

Whether you are a utility company, museum or healthcare facility, digital accessibility is not a nice to have, but essential. A utility company must ensure that all customers, including those who use a screen reader, can report their meter readings independently. A museum must ensure that its ticket shop is fully keyboard-controllable so that even visitors without a mouse can easily select a date. And in mental health, unclear installation instructions or distracting animations can make an app inaccessible to people with cognitive challenges. Small design choices make a world of difference.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires companies to make their digital services accessible. But exactly how to do that is not in the law. For that, you follow the international guidelines of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines are built around four principles:

• Perceivable: Information must be perceivable in different ways, such as visually and via a screen reader.
• Operable: All functionalities must be operable by anyone, even without a mouse or touchpad.
• Understandable: Both content and navigation must be logical and easy to understand.
• Robust: The website must function reliably in all browsers and with various tools, such as screen readers or voice control.

1. Awareness: Make sure the topic lives in your organization. Provide training, share examples and appoint internal ambassadors.
2. Inventory: Map which products and services are covered by the EAA, and where customer contact occurs. Start with the parts that are used the most.
3. Analysis & scan: Perform a quick scan, either yourself or with experts. Check for things like color contrast, keyboard navigation, structure and screen reader compatibility.
4. Optimize & design according to WCAG: Provide clear labels, visible focus indicators and proper error messages. Write content in clear language and offer multiple contact options (chat, email, phone).
5. Accessibility statement & monitoring: Publish your accessibility statement in an easily findable place. Maintain a central issue list and link monitoring to updates and releases.

Accessibility is more than an inclusive choice. It also delivers concrete benefits for your organization and your users.

• Stronger brand identity and more market value: You show that you take all users seriously. That radiates inclusiveness and reliability.
• More ease of use for everyone: Accessible websites have a logical structure and are easier to navigate. This benefits all users.
• Higher findability: Websites that meet accessibility guidelines are technically better structured, which is good for your SEO.
• Greater reach and higher conversion: An accessible site can generate up to 12% more conversion because no one is left out.
• Better user experience (UX): Users experience greater trust and comfort with brands that take everyone's needs into account. Inclusiveness weighs more and more heavily in brand preference.
• Future-proof building: Accessible websites continue to function better with technology updates and new standards.
• Lower long-term costs: Avoid costly retrofits by designing well from the beginning.
• More repeat visitors: An inclusive experience leads to less frustration, fewer dropouts and more repeat visits.
  
  

Pay close attention to what you offer. You are not automatically exempt from the EAA because you are a foundation or because your website offers only information. Look carefully at where the most important contact moments with your customers are and determine whether they fall under the EAA.

Are you not covered? Even then, now is the time to lead by example. Accessibility remains a moral responsibility, even if you don't have direct customer contact or offer commercial services. It's about showing that you take everyone seriously and don't exclude anyone.

You offer a service, an experience, information. How nice is it if everyone can use it in their own way? If your website is perceivable, operable and understandable for everyone. Accessibility is not just an obligation for some, it is an opportunity for all.

It seems like a lot, and it may be. But you don't have to do it alone. There are plenty of tools, trainings and experts (like us at Unc Inc) that can help you. Start with awareness, map out your priorities and take the first step.

Want to learn more? Then watch our webinar back.

The deadline is June 28, 2025. But the opportunity to do better is here today.