Imagine trying to watch a video without sound or subtitles or navigating a website with unlabeled buttons. For over 87 million people with disabilities in the European Union, these are daily frustrations. As our world becomes more digital, access to online information, services, and tools is no longer just a convenience — it’s a fundamental right. 

In response, the European Union introduced the European Accessibility Act (EAA), a landmark directive for the private sector, designed to ensure that digital and physical products and services are accessible to everyone — including people with disabilities. This article explains what the EAA covers, how it connects to technical standards like EN 301 549, and why it presents both a legal requirement and a strategic opportunity for global businesses. 

On September 10, join Welocalize and TPGi for a live session on how localization and digital accessibility intersect—and where global content is still falling short for users of assistive technologies. Register here.

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?  

The EAA is an EU Directive that aims to harmonize accessibility requirements across Member States, reducing fragmentation and ensuring equal access to key products and services, including the physical and digital spaces they occupy. Anyone providing a good or service must comply, including but not limited to: 

• E-commerce websites and apps 

• ATMs, ticketing and check-in machines 

• Banking services 

• Transport booking platforms 

• Smartphones, e-readers, and consumer ICT devices 

• Audio-visual media services 
• Emergency communication services 

What Are the Technical Requirements — and Who Sets Them? 

To meet EAA compliance, businesses must align with EN 301 549, a European harmonized standard that defines technical accessibility criteria for Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT includes any technology used to present or exchange information, such as websites, mobile apps, software, documents, digital interfaces, self-service kiosks, and even smart TVs. 

EN 301 549 expands on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) for digital content. However, it goes much further than WCAG, expanding coverage beyond web and app content to include biometrics, hardware, non-web software, and telecommunications. 

What Happens If You Don’t Comply? 

Non-compliance with the EAA can result in serious consequences, including: 

• Fines and legal action, similar in scale to those seen with GDPR enforcement

• Reputational damage, especially for global brands committed to ESG, DEI, and ethical business

• Exclusion from public procurement processes within the EU

In short, non-compliance risks both legal exposure and missed business opportunities. 

The Fundamental Importance of Accessibility 

While the EAA mandates accessibility, the broader value lies in enabling equal access to information. Accessible and universal design — such as clear layouts, descriptive alt text, captioned media, and Assistive Technology (AT)-friendly interfaces ensures everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully participate in society — from managing finances and applying for jobs to accessing healthcare and education. 

Crucially, accessibility must be built in from the start, not treated as an afterthought. Companies that embed accessibility into their design, development, and content workflows benefit from: 

• Enhanced brand trust and customer loyalty 

• Increased employee engagement and retention 

• Broader market reach, including a significant — and often underserved — segment of the population 

Accessibility also intersects with inclusive communication and localization. As global accessibility regulations evolve, many now require sign language interpretation in certain contexts (such as one-on-one communication) and translation into official languages, as seen in Canada and India. These mandates reflect a growing recognition of the need for linguistic and communicative accessibility, especially as more countries adopt or adapt EN 301 549. 

The Bottom Line 

The European Accessibility Act represents a step forward in creating a more inclusive digital world. Organizations that need support in navigating an increasingly multilingual digital landscape, can work with Welocalize for expertise in: 

• Localization & translation services: Ensuring content is linguistically accurate and accessible in multiple languages 

• Accessible media & multilingual audio-visual content: Providing captioning, subtitling, audio descriptions, sign language, and voice-over services to ensure multimedia content, live meetings, and events are accessible to all, including those with hearing or visual impairments. 

• Continuous compliance support: Offering ongoing monitoring and updates to help businesses stay compliant with global accessibility laws and evolving standards. 

• Training & education: Delivering tailored training to teams on creating accessible digital content, fostering an inclusive approach across design, development, and content creation. 

Welocalize partners with global organizations to embed accessibility into every stage of content creation and localization — from strategy to execution. 

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Ready to navigate the EAA with confidence? Learn how Welocalize can support your accessibility and compliance goals. On September 10, join Welocalize and TPGi for a live session on how localization and digital accessibility intersect—and where global content is still falling short for users of assistive technologies. Register here.