Technology is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. We browse websites, use apps, and spend hours in front of screens. But the digital world isn’t always designed with everyone in mind.

Accessibility isn’t just about people with permanent disabilities. It also includes those with impaired vision, reading difficulties, or even someone trying to use their phone one-handed. Think about yourself trying to read something on the Tube with poor signal and your screen dimmed – that’s a barrier too.

Creating an accessible digital product means ensuring no one is left behind. It means that anyone, regardless of their ability or context, can use your website easily and without unnecessary hurdles.

What you need to know ahead of June 2025 (and how Jelliby can help you)

Web accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have. From 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA), will come into force, requiring many businesses to ensure their digital platforms are fully accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.

But this isn’t just about ticking legal boxes. Making your website accessible is also a smart strategic move: it enhances user experience, protects your brand reputation, and opens the door to a wider audience.

Accessibility isn’t something to bolt on at the end – it’s a mindset to adopt from the outset. Inclusive design is about creating products that are usable for as many people as possible right from the beginning. That takes empathy, collaboration, and real user testing with people who have different needs and abilities.

What Is the European Accessibility Act All About?

The EAA sets out clear digital accessibility requirements for websites, apps, and digital services offered within the EU market. Affected sectors include:

  • E-commerce platforms
  • Online banking services
  • E-learning platforms
  • Mobile apps
  • Online media outlets, and more

And it’s not just about adding alt text to images. We’re talking about intuitive navigation, screen reader compatibility, video subtitles, and a host of other key features.

Accessibility is increasingly intertwined with emerging tech like AI, augmented reality, and voice assistants. Investing in accessibility now not only improves current usability – it’s also a way to prepare for a more inclusive future where interaction will be increasingly immersive and voice-driven.

Does your business fall under the EAA?

If you have over 10 employees or an annual turnover of more than €2 million, and you operate in any of the sectors mentioned above, then yes – the law applies to you.

But even if you’re not legally obliged, building an accessible website is still a smart move. It levels the playing field and helps you compete fairly.

Accessibility Benefits Everyone – Not just a few

Digital accessibility isn’t only about supporting those with specific needs. Good practices benefit everyone:

  • Older users experiencing age-related vision or hearing loss
  • People with dyslexia, who benefit from clear typography, logical structure, and non-justified text
  • Neurodivergent users, like those on the autism spectrum, who prefer calm, consistent, and predictable interfaces
  • Users with limited mobility, who may rely on keyboard navigation or assistive devices

When you build with accessibility in mind, you’re designing for the real diversity of your audience.

The risks of ignoring accessibility

Neglecting digital accessibility could come at a high cost. Potential consequences include:

  • It’s important to take into account the legal and financial consequences of non-compliance to avoid potential penalties.
  • Damage to corporate reputation and brand image — especially serious when inclusion and diversity are core values in your sector.
  • Loss of users and customers who can’t fully access or use your site

Accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement. It’s a matter of ethical responsibility, forward-thinking, and business opportunity. Done right, it can help you innovate, stand out, and deliver better experiences for everyone.nciarte, innovar y ofrecer mejores experiencias a todos tus usuarios.

The business care of an accessible website

Beyond compliance, embracing accessibility brings real benefits:

  • Improved User Experience (UX): A well-structured, easy-to-navigate website benefits everyone, not just users with specific needs. 
  • Social Responsibility: Businesses are increasingly embracing genuine commitments to inclusion and diversity as part of their social responsibility. An accessible website is a tangible demonstration of that commitment.
  • Better Search Engine Rankings:Many accessibility measures align with SEO best practices — think proper use of tags, structured content, and faster loading times. It’s a win-win.

Accessibility often drives innovation too. Features like Siri, auto-subtitles, and dark mode were originally designed for accessibility – now they’re everyday tools used by millions.

Not Sure Where to Begin? Jelliby Makes It Simple.

We get it — making your website accessible can seem like a technical minefield. That’s why Jelliby supports you every step of the way, helping you create a site that’s:

  • Compliant: We align with WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.2 and EU regulations.
  • User-friendly: We design universal digital experiences that cater to a wide range of abilities and usage contexts.
  • Efficient: Seamlessly integrated without disrupting your team or performance.

Here’s what we offer: 

  • Ongoing support and fixes: We don’t just tell you what needs fixing — we help you do it.
  • Free initial consultation: No strings attached — just clear advice.
  • Accessibility audit: We’ll assess your site and highlight key issues.
  • Accessible UX/UI services: We design inclusively, from the ground up.
  • Tailored technical development: Our expert team implements the improvements.
  • Sector-specific insights: We adapt solutions to your business and your audience.

Quick accessibility self-check: Where do you stand?

While nothing replaces a professional audit, here’s a quick checklist to get a sense of your site’s accessibility:

  • Can your website be navigated using only a keyboard?
  • Do all images have meaningful alternative text?
  • Is the contrast between text and background strong enough
  • Are your forms labelled clearly, with helpful error messages?
  • Do your videos have subtitles or transcripts?
  • Does your site pass tests like WAVE or Lighthouse without major issues?

The Time to Act Is Now

Preparing your site for the European Accessibility Act takes planning, time, and the right expertise. The sooner you start, the easier it will be to make accessibility a natural part of your digital strategy.

At Jelliby, we turn accessibility into a competitive edge for your business. Ready to get started? Get in touch for your free accessibility audit today.