From the June 28, 2025 TheEuropean Accessibility Act (EU Directive 2019/882), which introduces mandatory digital accessibility requirements for websites, apps and online services throughout the European Union. The impact will also be significant for small and medium -sized enterprises. Only micro -enterprises are excluded under 10 employees and 2 million euros in annual turnover. For all other companies, adaptation is not only a matter of conformity, but also of competitiveness and reputation.
What is Accessibility Act
Accessibility Act represents a turning point for digital inclusion in Europe. Approved in 2019, the Directive establishes common requirements that Member States must apply to ensure that digital products and services can be used by everyone, regardless of the physical, sensory or cognitive skills of users. It is not just about adding alternative texts to images or increase chromatic contrasts: accessibility requires a design that takes into account screen readers, keyboard navigation, vocal indications and a clear semantic structure of the code.
This extension to the private sector expands the scope of the legislation beyond the public, imposing more rigorous technical standards which, if respected, can make the digital experience better for all users.
Why make an accessible site: people, numbers and opportunities
In Europe almost One in four people He lives with some form of disability. According to Eurostat, the 27% adults Over the age of 16 it has functional limitations that can hinder the use of online services. But the phenomenon also closely concerns Italy: according to Istat data based on Global Activity Limition Indicatorthere are about 3 million Italians with serious disabilitieswhich go up to 12 million If we also include slight disability.
This range of population, often neglected, is instead very active online. In 2024, 87.2 % of people with disabilities in the EU used the Internet at least once, a fact that approaches 95.2 % of the population without limitations. Yet, the vast majority of websites remains inaccessible: over 94 % of European portals do not meet the minimum requirements provided for by the WCAG guidelines (i.e. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). The consequence? 80 % of users with disabilities leave a site already at the first navigation obstacle.
Companies that do not adapt risk losing this important market share, as well as incurring sanctions. In Italy, the agency for digital Italy (Agid) will be able to inflict fines from 5,000 to 40,000 euroswith the possibility of penalties up to 5% of turnover For non -compliance companies, 90 days have passed since the notification of the infringement. But there is also another risk: Google can penalize the sites that do not respect accessibility criteria in the search results, with direct consequences on online visibility.
How to make a site in accordance with Accessibility Act
Adapting to the Access Act means rethinking the site with an inclusive approach. The first step is a Audit of accessibilityto identify barriers such as texts without alternatives, insufficient color contrasts, difficulty navigation with screen reader or keyboard.
The main interventions can be summarized in these 7 key passages (to start):
- Make an accessibility audit. Check with automatic tools and manual review the compatibility of the site with the WCAG guidelines. Check all the key elements: chromatic contrasts, alternative texts, keyboard navigation, screen render compatibility.
- Analyze the structure of the code. Make sure the site has a clear semantic hierarchy. Correctly label modules and buttons.
- Adapt the multimedia contents. Insert alternative descriptions for images, videos and infographics. Provide transcriptions for audio and subtitles for video.
- Improves navigation. Allow the complete use of the via keyboard site. Make the focus visible for those who use the keyboard to move between the elements.
- Check downloadable documents. PDF, contracts and brochures must also be accessible by assistance technologies.
- Form your team. Sensitizing designers, developers and content editors on accessibility.
- Prepare the declaration of accessibility. Draw up and publish the declaration of conformity according to the European guidelines.
For SMEs, accessibility Act represents a regulatory obligation, but above all a strategic opportunity. An accessible site not only avoids penalties and reputational damage, but expands the potential market and above all improves the experience for all users.
Like Italiaonline can support (also) on this the SMEs
The Italiaonline Team will help you adapt your site to the regulations in force in a few simple steps.
From the adoption of the Accessibility widget (the virtual assistant who helps users to customize navigation according to their needs) to the drafting of yours declaration of accessibility (where the level of conformity of the site will be indicated, the reasons for any shortcomings and the activities envisaged to fill them).
To learn more or request further information: here
