In June 2025, the European Digital Accessibility Act will come into force, redefining how public and private organisations build their online solutions and mobile applications. The revised legislation aims to create an inclusive digital space where every user - regardless of their skills, limitations or needs - will be able to use online services in a full, convenient and dignified way.
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Legal context and scope
The European Accessibility Act imposes the obligation to adapt websites, mobile applications and other digital solutions on public institutions, as well as on selected private companies. Similar to the solutions under the Personal Data Protection Act (RODO), the new regulations are mandatory. Key elements include:
- Obligation to implement accessibility standards
All organisations making their services available online must comply with certain technical and usability requirements based, among other things, on the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) developed by the W3C. These standards include, among other things, the provision of adequate contrast, keyboard navigability or legible labels for assistive technologies. - Implementation deadlines and transition period
Organisations must make the necessary changes by 28 June 2025, and there will be a transition period that will last until June 2030. After this time, inspections will be more stringent and violations may result in administrative penalties by national supervisory authorities. - Exemptions and exceptions
The law provides exceptions for smaller entities. Companies with fewer than a certain number of employees (a limit of around 10-20 is often assumed) and companies with an annual turnover of less than €2 million may be exempt from implementing the legislation. However, experts stress that even these companies should strive for accessibility in order not to lose potential customers and build a negative brand image.
Why is Digital Accessibility important?
Inclusivity and social values
Digital accessibility is not just a formal issue - it is fundamental to building an open and inclusive society. Digital solutions that do not take into account the needs of people with disabilities cause social exclusion and limit equal access to information, services or products. The implementation of the legislation is therefore primarily aimed at addressing the barriers that people using assistive technologies may face.
The difference between UX and accessibility
Although accessibility and user experience (UX) are closely linked, accessibility requires specific technical knowledge. Unlike many UX solutions, which are often based on intuitive 'common sense', accessibility issues require knowledge of, for example, ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) standards or the ability to implement the relevant tags in HTML code. Implementing accessibility is therefore not just about installing ready-made widgets - it is a process that requires in-depth analysis and modification of the entire system.
Similarities with RODO implementation
The introduction of the new Accessibility Act is often compared to the introduction of RODO. Like RODO, the new legislation forces organisations to take measures that, although long needed, have so far been treated marginally. In both cases, there is a need to adapt internal processes, train employees, conduct audits and make changes to the structure of IT systems.
Technical and organisational challenges
Comprehensiveness of change
Implementing accessibility requirements is a multifaceted task. Organisations need to:
- Audit their systems - analyse current digital solutions, identify barriers and determine which elements need to be modified.
- Redesign interfaces - this often means rewriting code, especially at the front-end layer, to ensure full compliance with the guidelines.
- Invest in training and competence development - both designers and developers need to gain knowledge of accessibility best practices. Implementing such measures requires multi-disciplinary teams that combine skills from design, programming, testing and project management.
The pitfalls of "quick fixes"
There are many off-the-shelf solutions on the market, such as widgets of various kinds, which promise quick implementation of accessibility. However, experts warn that this approach can be misleading. Widgets often do not ensure full compliance with legal requirements and may only provide a makeshift workaround, rather than aiming for real improvements in digital services. Organisations that opt for 'easy' solutions run the risk of later penalties and a negative impact on user experience.
Preparing for implementation of the Digital Accessibility Act - good practices
In view of the upcoming changes, organisations are advised to take a number of preparatory steps to help implement accessibility requirements smoothly:
- Conduct a detailed accessibility audit
Identifying existing barriers in websites, applications and internal systems is the first step. It is worth hiring external experts or using automated tools to help identify the most important issues. - Training and competence development of the team
Investing in the development of your staff's skills - both in design and programming - will allow you to create solutions that comply with accessibility guidelines from the outset. It is advisable to take advantage of courses and workshops organised by reputable industry portals and certified trainers. - Integrating accessibility into the product development process
Accessibility should become an integral part of the entire product life cycle - from initial analysis, through design, implementation, testing, to maintenance and development of systems. The 'accessibility by design' approach ensures that accessibility issues are considered at the earliest stages of design work. - Interdisciplinary collaboration
Effective implementation requires the involvement of a variety of specialists: designers, developers, testers, as well as accessibility experts. It is worth appointing a person or team responsible for coordinating activities to act as a 'bridge' between the technical and business departments. - Regular user testing
It is essential to test solutions with people who actually use assistive technologies. This practice allows problems to be identified in real time and necessary adjustments to be made before the product is rolled out to a wider audience.
Investing in the future - Digital Inclusivity
The upcoming European Accessibility Act is a push that will force many organisations to fundamentally change their approach to designing and implementing digital solutions. Although the adaptation process may involve significant technical and organisational challenges, the benefits are invaluable in the long term. On the one hand, compliance will reduce the risk of financial sanctions; on the other hand, it will create a better user experience, making the company more competitive in the market.
In practice, this means abandoning superficial solutions in favour of comprehensive, well-thought-out strategies that integrate accessibility at every stage of product development. This can be inspired not only by the experience of implementing RODO, but also by the dynamic development of UX and the continuous improvement of accessibility standards, as reported by numerous industry portals and expert reports.
Organisations that rely on education, interdisciplinary collaboration and systematic audits will not only be able to meet the new requirements, but, above all, build lasting relationships with customers for whom accessibility is becoming a key element of the digital experience. Facing change is not just about meeting legal standards - it is an investment in the future to build a more open, friendly and efficient digital environment.
Implementing accessibility standards is becoming a priority not only from a legal perspective, but more importantly as part of building a better, more inclusive internet for all users
ICEberg CMS 5 is an advanced content management system that automates many of the processes involved in implementing accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) on websites. It enables companies to adapt their websites to the requirements of the European Accessibility Act more quickly and efficiently.
Here is how ICEberg CMS 5 and Krakweb can help with this:
Automation of key accessibility functions
- Generation of alternative descriptions and contrast adjustment
The system automatically suggests alternative descriptions (alt text) for images and analyses colour combinations to ensure appropriate contrast. This makes the content more readable and accessible for people using screen readers or with limited perceptual abilities. - Content structuring and support for keyboard navigation
ICEberg CMS 5 takes care of the correct hierarchy of headings and provides full support for keyboard navigation, which is crucial for users who do not use a mouse. The automatic assignment of appropriate HTML tags makes it easier for people with various limitations to use the content. [Read more: https://www.krakweb.pl/jak-iceberg-cms-5-automatyzuje-dostepnosc-stron-internetowych-spelnianie-wytycznych-wcag-i-dostosowywanie-stron-do-potrzeb-osob-z-niepelnosprawnoscia] - Form optimisation and responsiveness
The system automatically optimises forms for accessibility and ensures that pages work correctly on a variety of devices - from desktop computers to smartphones. This makes purchasing processes and interactions with the website simpler for all users.
Wsparcie ekspertów Krakweb
Krakweb, as the developer of ICEberg CMS 5, also offers comprehensive support in the implementation of accessibility solutions:
- Consultations and audits
Krakweb specialists help companies conduct accessibility audits, identify barriers and plan the implementation of necessary changes. These audits identify exactly which elements of the website need to be improved to meet legal requirements. [more:https://www.krakweb.pl/dostepnosc-cyfrowa-produktow-i-uslug-w-swietle-prawa-ustaw-polskich-i-europejskich] - Training and consulting
Krakweb organises trainings and workshops for IT, UX and marketing teams, teaching how to create and maintain accessible content. This helps companies not only implement fixes, but build a culture of accessibility across the organisation. - Technical support and updates
With Krakweb's help, the implementation of ICEberg CMS 5 becomes an ongoing process - the company offers technical support and regular updates to the system, enabling compliance with the latest standards and regulations.
Summary
With ICEberg CMS 5, organisations can automate many aspects of digital accessibility, making it significantly easier to meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act. Krakweb, as the system's manufacturer, provides comprehensive advice, training and technical support, making the implementation and maintenance of high accessibility standards simpler and more efficient. As a result, companies not only avoid potential penalties, but also improve the user experience and build a positive brand image as a socially responsible entity.
