European Accessibility Act (EAA) What Swiss Companies Need to Know and Do Now

EAA Switzerland: Impacts and Opportunities for Your Company

The digital landscape is changing rapidly – and with it, the expectations of your online presence. A key aspect that is increasingly coming into focus is digital accessibility. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) sets new, binding standards to ensure that digital products and services are accessible to all people, especially people with disabilities.

Even if Switzerland is not directly bound by EU legislation, the European Accessibility Act has significant implications for your company. All those who operate in the EU, export products and services there, or want to orient themselves to international best practices are affected.

In this article, we explain the most important aspects of the EAA, highlight the EAA requirements, and show you what steps you as a Swiss company should take now to remain competitive and fully utilise your business potential.

What exactly is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that was adopted in June 2019. The EAA deadlines stipulate that the directive must be implemented in the national laws of the EU member states by 2025. The goal is to improve access to goods and services for people with disabilities and create a more inclusive digital market.

The EAA affects a variety of digital offerings, including:

• Online Shops

• Websites

• Apps

• Digital services (e.g. banking, insurance, e-learning)

• Telecommunication Services

• E-books and e-readers

The specific EAA requirements are based on the internationally recognized Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).These guidelines include a set of principles that ensure that digital content is accessible to people with different limitations. Some examples:

• Alternative text for images: Allows screen readers to read out image information.

• Structured headings and texts: Facilitate navigation and understanding of content.

• Keyboard navigation: Ensure that websites can also be operated without a mouse.

• Clear contrasts: Improve readability for people with visual impairments.

• Accessible forms: Ensure that forms can be filled out by all users.

• Subtitles for videos: Make videos accessible to people with hearing impairments.

Compliance with the WCAG requires not only technical adjustments from you, but also a rethinking of the design and development of digital products.

Why is the EAA relevant to your Swiss based company?

Even though Switzerland is not a member of the EU, the impacts of the European Accessibility Act on your company are considerable.

• EU Business: If your company offers products or services in the EU, your digital offerings must meet EAA requirements.

• International Standards: The WCAG is a globally recognized standard for accessibility. Compliance shows your commitment to inclusion and social responsibility.

• Competitive Advantage: Accessible websites and apps are more user-friendly and reach a larger audience. This can lead to higher customer satisfaction and conversion rates.

• Reputational Risk: Non-compliance with the EAA can lead to legal consequences, fines, and damage to your image.

In addition, the EU Accessibility Directive is an important building block for the implementation of an inclusive society. Companies that address the issue early on position themselves as responsible and forward-thinking.

The challenges in implementing the EAA

The EAA implementation for companies can be complex. Many companies are unaware of the subtleties of the WCAG standards and their technical implementation.

• Specialized Knowledge: Accessible design, development, and testing require extensive know-how.

• Technical Complexity: The WCAG requirements can collide with existing web designs and require individual solutions.

• Continuous Process: Accessibility is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process that requires regular reviews and adjustments.

The user's perspective: It is important to recognize that accessibility is more than just meeting technical criteria. The involvement of people with disabilities in the testing and certification process is crucial to ensuring a truly accessible and user-friendly solution.

How iundf Dewave can help you

At iundf Dewave, we are experts in digital accessibility and are happy to support you in the EAA implementation for companies. With our many years of experience and our in-depth know-how, we can help you with the analysis, planning, and implementation of the necessary measures.

Our offer includes:

• EAA audit of your website and digital applications: We analyze your digital offerings for accessibility and identify areas for action.

• Development of a comprehensive accessibility strategy: We develop a customized strategy that is tailored to your needs and target audience.

• Technical implementation of WCAG-compliant solutions: Our experts implement the necessary technical measures to ensure that your digital offerings are accessible.

• Certification of your website/app: We accompany you through the certification process to officially prove that your digital offerings are accessible. Our certifications are carried out with the involvement of people with different disabilities to ensure a comprehensive and practical test.

• Training for your employees: We train your employees in the area of digital accessibility to build up long-term understanding and know-how.

• Ongoing support and monitoring: We support you in the long term in the maintenance and optimization of your digital offerings and their accessibility.

Conclusion

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is more than just a guideline; it is a step towards an inclusive digital world. For Swiss companies, this means an opportunity to position themselves for the future, open up new markets, and at the same time meet their social responsibility. It requires commitment and expertise, but the benefits are diverse and sustainable. Take advantage of Dewave's expertise to make this journey a success. We are your partner for an accessible digital future!