Accessibility Checklist for the EU

Accessibility Checklist for the EU

Digital accessibility is not just a best practice—it's a legal requirement in the European Union. The European Accessibility Act (EAA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and various national laws across EU member states emphasize the need for accessible digital platforms. To help you stay compliant, here’s a comprehensive checklist to ensure your website or application meets EU accessibility standards.

1. Adherence to WCAG 2.1 Level AA

The WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard is the benchmark for accessibility in the EU. Ensure that your website complies with these guidelines, which focus on making content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, including those with disabilities.

Key Points:

• Ensure text alternatives for non-text content (e.g., images and videos).
• Provide captions for multimedia content.
• Ensure that your site is fully navigable using only a keyboard.
• Avoid content that causes seizures (e.g., flashing content).
• Design for compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technologies.

2. Accessible Forms and Inputs

Forms are a critical part of many websites, especially in e-commerce, government services, and healthcare. Make sure all forms are accessible by:

• Including labels for all form fields.
• Providing error suggestions and explanations when users submit incorrect or incomplete forms.
• Making form fields navigable via keyboard and screen readers.

3. Contrast and Visual Clarity

Ensure sufficient color contrast between the text and background so that people with visual impairments can easily read your content. The recommended contrast ratio is at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for larger text.

Best Practices:

• Avoid using color alone to convey important information.
• Ensure that your content can be understood by those who are colorblind or have low vision.

4. Mobile Accessibility

With a large number of users accessing websites via mobile devices, it’s essential that your site is accessible on smaller screens. Test for responsive design and ensure that accessibility features function across devices, including touch gestures and screen readers for mobile platforms.

5. Accessible Documents (PDFs, Word, etc.)

Many EU websites provide downloadable content like reports or forms. Ensure that all documents are accessible by:

• Using proper headings, lists, and tables in the document’s structure.
• Providing alternative text for images.
• Making PDF documents fully readable with assistive technologies.

6. Testing and Auditing

Conduct regular accessibility tests and audits to identify areas for improvement. Automated tools can help, but human testing, especially by people with disabilities, is essential to ensure real-world usability.

Tools and Strategies:

• Use automated checkers to scan for compliance issues.
• Engage in manual testing for user experience evaluation.
• Collaborate with people from the disability community for feedback.

7. Providing an Accessibility Statement

An accessibility statement is a public-facing document that explains your website’s accessibility features, areas for improvement, and how users can request assistance if they encounter barriers. This is a legal requirement in many EU countries and helps build trust with users.

Conclusion

Following this checklist ensures that your website or digital platform is accessible and compliant with EU regulations. By making accessibility a priority, you create an inclusive digital environment that benefits all users and helps your business avoid legal risks.