Accessibility Directive
Make Your Website Accessible to Everyone
On June 28, 2025, the Accessibility Act came into force. This means that all digital services, including websites and apps, must meet international accessibility requirements. These requirements are based on the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which in turn (partly) follows WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), a global standard that ensures digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of ability.
What is the Accessibility Directive about?
The Accessibility Directive, which follows the EAA, is a set of guidelines that helps companies and organizations make their websites more accessible. The guidelines are based on four fundamental principles:
- Perceivable – Content must be accessible through different senses, for example through text alternatives for images and sufficient color contrast.
- Operable – The website should be usable by everyone, including those who navigate using a keyboard or screen reader.
- Understandable – Information should be easy to understand, and the website should have a clear and predictable structure.
- Robust – Content should work across different devices and support assistive technologies.
Since the EAA follows WCAG, certain parts require compliance with WCAG standards, though not as strictly as in the United States.
WCAG is divided into three levels: A, AA, and AAA. To meet the requirements of the Accessibility Directive, your website must achieve at least level AA (however, government services often have higher requirements).
Why is the Accessibility Directive important?
Complying with the Accessibility Directive is a legal obligation, but it also provides several benefits:
- Increased reach - An accessible website reaches more users, including people with disabilities.
- Improved user experience - A structured and clear design benefits all users.
- SEO benefits - Many WCAG adaptations, such as proper heading structure and alt text, improve search engine optimization.
- Legal compliance - By implementing the directive, you ensure that your website follows the law and avoid legal issues.