.will be a date to mark on the calendar for many of the Italian companies that disseminate their products and services through web services, as the EAA, or European Accessibility Act , will come into force , which requires the accessibility of websites and applications also to users with physical limitations, hearing, vision or cognitive limitations.
All this was designed not only with the aim of the correct use of the instrument for those who find themselves in serious and permanent conditions, but also for those who temporarily find themselves in a mild state of limitation or for the elderly.
Public administrations and private individuals. With a turnover of over 500 million in the last 3 years (including groups). Have long had this commitment to inclusiveness.
But, from 2025 , the same will have to be active for many. Italian economic operators with a turnover of over 2 million . Micro-enterprises will still be excluded. As they are currently exempt from the obligation.
What is the European Accessibility Act
In the wake of ever-increasing inclusiveness. The time has come for the web to adapt to new standards. This is to ensure that anyone. Regardless of their disability, can easily and independently access both the consultation. Of the contents offered on websites that deal with services and dissemination. And the purchase of products on sale on e-commerce sites.
The legislation regarding website accessibility. Which until now was reserved exclusively for public administrations (PA) and private. Individuals with a turnover of over 500 million (in the strict regulatory sense. As already present for example in the anti-discrimination legislation), is very broad and affects. Various areas, as are the various companies that. If they do not want to suffer significant sanctions. Will have to organize themselves to fulfill the obligations required.
To comply, or in the case of creating a new site , it will be sufficient to follow the WCAG guidelines which are based on 4 principles that websites must respect.
Anyone who navigates the site must be able to easily read the published content. In addition to this, it must have alternative supports for both videos and photos that may be present.
Everyone needs to be able to interact with the pages and content.
Websites must be understandable, thanks to a simple, intuitive and coherent navigation method.
They must also be usable with assistive devices, such as alternative keyboards, screen readers or magnifiers.
What does the EAA provide for websites and mobile applications?
An “accessible website” means a website that can be used in its entirety by any user who has disabilities, whether motor, physical or cognitive.
The requirements that determine an accessible website are those indicated by the WCAG and are the following:
Usable with assistive technologies.
Depending on the disability you suffer from, there are assistive tools that allow users to consult web spaces independently and without difficulty. To allow this, the site must be compatible with computer aids such as screen readers, used by the visually impaired, or special keyboards used by those with motor difficulties.
Appropriate fonts.
The site must be easily readable by users with vision problems, and this is possible by using light fonts that contrast with the background and ensuring that the structure of the site is not compromised if the user zooms in on the text for better visibility.
Modulate the colors
The colors used, both for the background of the site and for the graphics of the pages, must be clear and in contrast with the text, to facilitate reading and concentration for those who suffer from cognitive disabilities.
When choosing colors and effects, avoid flashes of light and sudden images, which could be dangerous for those who have problems with epileptic seizures.
The structure
The structure of a website is not only important for users who have difficulty concentrating or who suffer from particular pathologies, but also for all the page surfers.
A structured, tidy, well-divided and coherently organized site in its contents is easy to consult and potentially more interesting for everyone.
Any firm must identify its target market, and using a mobile database to your advantage can be revolutionary. The goal of Find Your Mobile how to build phone number list Database is to facilitate efficient communication between you and potential clients. Utilizing targeted mobile databases enables you to access a wealth of contacts, ensuring you can reach the right people with your marketing campaigns.
Make content accessible
If there are videos on the site, they facebook ad optimization must be completed with subtitles that allow even those who suffer from deafness to understand the content. Alternative texts to images are also important, as they help those who have problems with blindness.
Computer tools.
Another precaution is the possibility that alb directory the mouse is always visible and well highlighted on the page. So that those who have difficulty can easily find it, avoiding clicking in sections that are not of interest to them. The site should allow navigation using only the keyboard, without additional tools such as the mouse or touchpad.
Once the site has been adapted to the website accessibility regulations and complies with the provisions issued, a link with the accessibility declaration must be inserted. This must always be visible and reachable.
This declaration is valid for one year and on 23 September
Of each year it is mandatory to review and update it via the appropriate platform. While for PAs, the declaration of objectives is already required halfway through the year.
Penalties for those who do not respect guidelines for accessibility of web content
If an investigation is carried out by AgID , the Agency for Digital Italy, and an irregularity is found with the guidelines issued for compliance, the company that does not comply with the decree will be given a time limit of 30 days within which to regularize its web spaces.
At the end of the established and granted time, if the necessary interventions to guarantee the accessibility of your site have not been carried out, the penalty that will be applied may be up to 5% of the company’s turnover .
Given the high amounts of administrative fines that can be incurred, it is important to be aware of how to test a website for accessibility.
Website accessibility check. AccessiWay, the ideal partner
To find out if your website is accessible and what actions you need to take to comply with the EAA, there are many validators online that you can consult for free and that act as website accessibility tests.
We recommend using AccessScan from our partner AccessiWay , a leading company in the field of digital accessibility.
Simply enter the web address to reach your pages in the appropriate space, follow the form to fill in and you will soon be able to have a report of the problems, if there are any, and suggestions for adjusting the areas that need intervention.
This is to get a first idea
In addition to this, to avoid that the scans miss critical issues. It is always advisable to carry out a manual intervention especially. To check the correct functioning with the assistive tools. The audits carried out by AccessiWay are automatic. Semi-automatic and manual , all carried out in concert between. The team of certified experts and people with different disabilities.
Remember that the only way to be compliant with the regulation. Is to carry out an audit with the related report as output and receive the accessibility statement.
The benefits of accessibility
In addition to the first advantage that comes to mind when thinking. About website accessibility, that is, avoiding sanctions , there are others no less important.
The second, to obtain a greater number of users who. Having no difficulty navigating the site, can access and interact. Thus leading to an increase in traffic and, in the case of e-commerce. Also conversions and potential sales . It is estimated that approximately 15% of the world’s population. Has a certified disability with which. They live, and even with this data alone you can imagine. How many users you can address.
Third, from an SEO perspective , sites that comply with accessibility standards have a greater chance of being indexed better by search engines, as they improve the user experience .
Considering the main reason why the European Accessibility Act was enacted, namely inclusiveness and ethical reasons , it should be quite clear what the accessibility optimisation of a website is for.
So… why is digital accessibility crucial?
Legal Compliance. With the growing importance of digital accessibility regulations, including GDPR and the European Directive 2019/882 (EAA), it is essential to ensure that your website and apps are accessible to all. By June 2025, many businesses will have to be compliant or face fines of up to 5% of their turnover.
