As the European Accessibility Act (EAA) enforcement begins on June 28, 2025, businesses offering products or services in the EU must ensure their websites meet accessibility standards outlined in EN 301 549 (aligned with WCAG 2.1 Level AA). This checklist, crafted by our team, provides a clear path to compliance, helping you create an inclusive digital experience while avoiding penalties and boosting user satisfaction.

Why EAA Compliance Matters

The EAA, adopted in 2019, aims to remove accessibility barriers for people with disabilities across the EU. By June 28, 2025, websites must comply to avoid fines (up to €100,000 in some countries) and reputational risks. Compliance also expands your audience, enhances user experience, and positions your brand as a leader in inclusivity.

1. Readable Text and Color Contrast

• • Contrast Ratios: Achieve a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt or 14pt bold) to ensure readability for visually impaired users.

  • Font Size: Use a minimum font size of 16px, readable without zooming.

  • Color Usage: Avoid relying solely on color to convey information (e.g., error messages); use text, patterns, or icons for clarity.

2. Accessible Images

   • Functional Images: Provide descriptive alternative text (alt text) for images that convey meaning, aiding screen reader users.

   • Decorative Images: Use empty alt text (alt="") for non-essential images to prevent screen readers from announcing irrelevant content.

3. Inclusive Video and Audio Content

   • Video Subtitles: Include clear, legible subtitles for all videos to support users with hearing impairments.

   • Audio Transcriptions: Provide text transcriptions for podcasts and audio files.

   • User Control: Prevent videos from auto-playing with sound; allow users to control playback.

4. Seamless Navigation

   • Keyboard Accessibility: Ensure the entire site is navigable using only a keyboard, without requiring a mouse.

   • Focus Indicators: Make the focus outline visible and logical for active elements.

   • Skip Links: Offer a "Skip to content" link to bypass repetitive navigation.

   • Descriptive Links: Use clear link text (e.g., "Explore our services") instead of vague phrases like "click here."

5. User-Friendly Forms

   • Clear Labels: Associate each form field with a descriptive label.

   • Error Handling: Clearly mark required fields and provide detailed error messages.

   • Keyboard Support: Allow form completion and submission via keyboard.

6. Structured HTML

   • Heading Hierarchy: Use a logical order of headings to organize content

   • Semantic Tags: Employ tags to enhance screen reader compatibility.

 

 

7. Dynamic Elements with ARIA

• • Live Updates: Use aria-live for dynamically updated content like notifications or errors.

  • Custom Components: Apply ARIA attributes (e.g., aria-label, aria-expanded, role="button") to custom buttons, tabs, or modals.

8. Mobile-Friendly Design

• • Responsiveness: Ensure the website is fully functional and readable on mobile devices and tablets.

  • Touch Targets: Make interactive elements at least 44x44 pixels for easy touch interaction.

9. Clear and Simple Content

• • Language Definition: Specify the page language.

  • Plain Language: Write content clearly, avoiding jargon unless explained.

  • Explanations: Provide tooltips or definitions for abbreviations and complex terms.

10. Accessible PDFs and Documents

• • Text-Based PDFs: Ensure PDFs contain selectable text, not just scanned images.

  • Structured Documents: Include headings, bookmarks, and alt text for images in PDFs.

11. Technical Considerations

• • No Auto-Redirects: Avoid automatic redirects or page refreshes that disrupt user experience.

  • Time Extensions: Allow users to extend time limits for actions like form submissions.

12. Transparent Accessibility Information

• • Accessibility Statement: Publish a visible accessibility statement (e.g., in the footer) detailing compliance efforts.

  • Contact Method: Provide an email or form for users to report accessibility issues.

13. Rigorous Testing and Auditing

• • Accessibility Audits: Use tools like Google Lighthouse or axe DevTools to identify issues.

  • User Testing: Involve users with disabilities to test real-world usability.

  • Issue Resolution: Prioritize fixing critical accessibility barriers.

Additional Steps for Success:

• • Team Training: Educate developers and content creators on accessibility best practices to maintain compliance.

  • Continuous Monitoring: Regularly update your website to align with evolving standards and new content.

  • Business Benefits: Leverage accessibility to enhance brand reputation, improve SEO, and reach a broader audience.