# EAA Knowledge Base

When EAA is set to come into effect?
26st of June 2025.
Why is EAA being implemented?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is being implemented to address societal and economic barriers faced by people with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities and access to products and services. Its implementation serves several important purposes: Promote Social Inclusion, Support an Aging Population, Harmonize Accessibility Standards Across the EU, Enhance Economic Opportunities, Reduce Discrimination, Ensure Legal Certainty for Businesses, Increase Awareness and Cultural Shift
Who is affected by EAA?
Products: Computers and operating systems, Self-service terminals (e.g., ATMs, ticketing machines), E-readers, Smartphones, Payment terminals

Services: E-commerce platforms, Banking services, Public transport ticketing and travel information, Telecommunication services, Media services, such as e-books and audiovisual services
How service providers can comply with EAA?
EN 301 549 is harmonized European standard for accessibility of ICT products and services. It serves as a technical reference for meeting the EAA’s requirements. Websites must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, as specified in the standard.

EN 301 549 is currently being revised to support the European Accessibility Act (EAA) (European Directive 2019/882) in 2025. The revision will result in the publishing V4.1.1 in the second half of 2025 which well set out how to implement the accessibility requirements for products and services set out in the EAA. A future version will likely be updated to WCAG 2.2 AA which is recommended version to aim.
What is WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are organized into four principles (POUR): Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Each principle includes specific guidelines and success criteria that websites must meet to be considered accessible.
Are there country-specific rules for EAA?
The EAA is a European Union directive that applies to all member states. However, individual member states may have their own accessibility requirements that go beyond the EAA. It is important to research the accessibility requirements of each country where you sell products or services and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
What if I sell products or services in multiple countries?
If you sell products or services in multiple countries, you will need to comply with the accessibility requirements of each country. The EAA applies to products and services sold in the European Union, while other countries may have their own accessibility requirements. It is important to research the accessibility requirements of each country where you sell products or services and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
How is the European Accessibility Act (EAA) relevant to non-EU companies selling in EU countries?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is relevant to non-EU companies that sell in EU countries because it requires that all products and services, including digital content and platforms, meet accessibility standards to be sold in the EU. Even if a company is based outside the EU, it must comply with these regulations to ensure that their offerings are accessible to people with disabilities. The EAA covers a wide range of products and services, such as e-commerce websites, banking services, and public transport booking systems. Non-EU companies must ensure that their offerings are accessible to avoid potential barriers to trade and legal consequences when doing business in EU markets.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with EAA?
Penalties vary by member state but can include fines, suspension of operations, or legal action, depending on the severity of the violation.
Are there any exceptions to EAA?
If compliance with accessibility requirements would impose a disproportionate burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the product or service, exceptions may apply. Microenterprises (small business with fewer than 10 employees and/or less than €2 Million annual turnover or annual balance sheet total) which provide services are exempted.
What is difference between EAA and Section 508 implemented in United States?
Section 508 is based on WCAG 2.0, while EAA is based on WCAG 2.1. EAA also covers a broader range of products and services than Section 508. EAA is a European Union directive, while Section 508 is a U.S. law.
Can be accessibility quickly fixed with Accessibility Overlays / widgets?
Sadly no, Accessibility Overlays are not a silver bullet. They can help to improve accessibility, but they are not a substitute for a comprehensive accessibility strategy. They can also create new accessibility issues if not implemented correctly. Read Overlay Factsheet for more information.
How can I test my website for accessibility? Can I automate it?
Accessibility testing can be automated to some extent, but manual testing is also necessary. Automated tools can help identify some accessibility issues, but they cannot catch everything. Manual testing is essential to ensure that your website is fully accessible. You can use tools like Axe by Deque or WAVE by WebAIM to test your website for accessibility.
What are some accessibility testing tools?
For testing screen readers, you can use NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) or JAWS (Job Access With Speech). For color contrast, you can use WebAIM Color Contrast Checker. For keyboard navigation, you can use Axe by Deque. For general accessibility testing, you can use WAVE by WebAIM or Lighthouse tool by Google.
How can I make my website accessible?
There are several steps you can take to make your website accessible:

1. Use semantic HTML
2. Provide alt text for images
3. Use descriptive link text
4. Ensure keyboard navigation
5. Use ARIA roles and attributes
6. Test your website for accessibility
7. Train your team on accessibility best practices
How can I maintain accessibility on my website?
Accessibility is an ongoing process that requires regular maintenance. You can maintain accessibility on your website by:

1. Regularly testing your website for accessibility
2. Updating your website to comply with new accessibility standards
3. Training your team on accessibility best practices
4. Monitoring user feedback and accessibility issues
What is the impact of EAA on businesses?
The EAA will have a significant impact on businesses, requiring them to make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities. Businesses that fail to comply with the EAA may face penalties, legal action, or reputational damage. However, businesses that embrace accessibility can benefit from increased customer loyalty, improved user experience, and a larger market share.
Do I need an accessibility statement on my website?
Yes, an accessibility statement is a legal requirement under the EAA. Your accessibility statement should outline the steps you have taken to make your website accessible and provide contact information for users to report accessibility issues. You can use the W3C Accessibility Statement Generator to create an accessibility statement for your website.
What is the impact of EAA on users?
The EAA will have a positive impact on users with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal access to products and services. Users with disabilities will benefit from improved accessibility, increased usability, and a better user experience. The EAA will also raise awareness of accessibility issues and promote a more inclusive society.
How can AI improve web accessibility, and what are its potential challenges?
AI can significantly enhance web accessibility by automating processes, such as generating image alt text, offering real-time transcription for videos, and identifying accessibility issues in code. Tools powered by AI can also assist users with disabilities, such as screen readers with better natural language understanding or voice-controlled navigation systems. However, challenges include ensuring AI tools are trained on diverse datasets to avoid biases and inaccuracies, as well as the potential for over-reliance on automation, which might miss nuanced accessibility requirements.
What are some common keyboard shortcuts for accessibility features?
Here are some commonly used keyboard shortcuts for accessibility:

Windows:
trl + Win + Enter: Turn Narrator (screen reader) on or off.
Alt + Shift + Print Screen: Enable or disable high-contrast mode.
Win + U: Open the Ease of Access Center.
Win + Plus (+): Turn on the Magnifier and zoom in.
Win + Esc: Close the Magnifier.

Mac:
Cmd + Option + F5: Open accessibility shortcuts menu.
Cmd + Option + 8: Turn VoiceOver (screen reader) on or off.
Option + Cmd + Plus (+): Zoom in.
Option + Cmd + Minus (-): Zoom out.
Shift + Ctrl + Option + D: Open Dock menu.

Web Browsers:
Tab: Navigate between interactive elements (links, buttons, form fields).
Shift + Tab: Navigate backward through interactive elements.
Ctrl + Plus (+) (or Cmd + Plus (+) on Mac): Zoom in on the page.
Ctrl + Minus (-) (or Cmd + Minus (-)): Zoom out on the page.
Ctrl + 0 (or Cmd + 0): Reset zoom to default.
Should I implement a custom accessibility widget or overlay for my project?
Before creating your own accessibility widget or overlay, consider the following:

Avoid Duplicating Native Features: Most operating systems and browsers already include robust accessibility tools (e.g., screen readers, zoom, and high-contrast modes). Instead of replicating these, focus on ensuring your website or app is compatible with them.
Keep It Simple: If you decide to implement an accessibility widget, make it lightweight and focused. For instance: Add a font size adjustment option, include a toggle for high contrast or grayscale mode, Provide simple keyboard shortcuts for toggling features.
Open Source Integration: Leverage existing tools, such as libraries like Ranbuch Accessibility, to save development time and adhere to best practices. These libraries are designed to offer simple, configurable widgets.
Challenges of Overlays: Accessibility overlays / widgets are often criticized by the accessibility community for not addressing the root accessibility issues. Instead of using an overlay to 'fix' issues, ensure your HTML structure, ARIA roles, and WCAG compliance are solid from the ground up.
Implementation Tip: If you build a widget, make it complementary and transparent. For example, don’t interfere with assistive technologies, but rather offer additional convenience features for users.
Still have questions?
Missing crucial information? Found a mistake? Or do you have a question about EAA?
Feel free to send me an email at info@eaa2025.sk.