For years, web accessibility sat on the “nice to have” list. In 2026 that is no longer the case. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) has applied since 28 June 2025 and requires companies that sell products or services online to consumers in the European Union to make their websites and apps accessible. And an accessible website is not just a legal requirement: it is also faster, clearer and performs better in search engines.
In this guide we explain what WCAG 2.2 introduces, who the EAA applies to and how to make your website accessible step by step.
What Is Web Accessibility?
Web accessibility means that people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive disabilities can use a website as easily as everyone else. A screen reader user understanding images through alternative text, someone who cannot use a mouse navigating the site with the keyboard alone, and a user with low vision reading text with sufficient contrast are all part of it.
Accessibility is not only for people with disabilities. Users checking their phone in bright sunlight, with an arm in a cast, on a slow connection or of an older age all benefit directly from accessible design.
What Did WCAG 2.2 Change?
The international benchmark for accessibility is WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), published by the W3C. WCAG 2.2, released in October 2023, builds on 2.1 with new success criteria aimed especially at mobile use and cognitive accessibility. The key additions at level AA are:
- Focus Not Obscured (2.4.11): When navigating with the keyboard, the focused element must not be completely hidden behind sticky headers, cookie banners or other overlays.
- Dragging Movements (2.5.7): Every action done by dragging needs a single-pointer alternative, such as a simple click.
- Target Size (Minimum) (2.5.8): Clickable targets should be at least 24×24 CSS pixels or have enough spacing between them.
- Consistent Help (3.2.6): Help mechanisms such as contact details, support or chat should appear in the same place across pages.
- Redundant Entry (3.3.7): Users should not have to re-enter information they already provided in the same process.
- Accessible Authentication (Minimum) (3.3.8): Logging in must not depend on cognitive tests such as puzzles or recalling a password from memory; password managers and copy-paste must work.
Who Does the European Accessibility Act Apply To?
The EAA (Directive (EU) 2019/882) made accessibility mandatory for certain products and services on the EU market from 28 June 2025. The services in scope include e-commerce, banking, e-books, transport ticketing and electronic communications.
- Where your company is based does not decide it: A non-EU online shop selling to consumers in the EU can also fall within scope.
- The technical reference is EN 301 549: The European standard currently refers to WCAG 2.1 AA for web content, and its next version is expected to move to WCAG 2.2. That is why targeting WCAG 2.2 AA directly is the sensible choice for new projects.
- Accessibility information: Service providers must explain how their service meets the accessibility requirements.
- Microenterprise exemption: Microenterprises providing services, with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total not exceeding €2 million, are exempt from the service requirements.
Enforcement and penalties are set by each EU member state’s national law. Depending on which countries you sell to, we recommend reviewing the relevant national rules with a legal adviser.
How Does Accessibility Help SEO and Sales?
Accessibility and SEO rest on the same foundations. Search engine crawlers “read” a page much like a screen reader does:
- A correct heading order (H1, H2, H3) explains the structure of the page to both screen readers and Google.
- Alternative text on images brings visibility in image search.
- Meaningful link text (“our web design services” instead of “click here”) strengthens internal linking.
- Sufficient contrast, readable type and large touch targets improve the mobile experience and lower bounce rates.
An accessible form means more people complete it, and an accessible checkout means fewer abandoned carts. In short, accessibility is a user experience investment with a direct effect on conversion rates.
8 Steps to Make Your Website Accessible
- Measure where you stand: Scan every template with automated tools such as Lighthouse and axe. Keep in mind that automated tests catch only part of the issues.
- Navigate with the keyboard: Put the mouse aside and try using your site with Tab, Enter and the arrow keys only. Is focus visible, do menus open, can dialogs be closed?
- Test with a screen reader: Listen to your most important pages with VoiceOver (macOS/iOS) or NVDA (Windows).
- Fix colour contrast: Aim for at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Label your forms: Every field needs a visible label, clear error messages and guidance on what to fix.
- Add alternatives to images and video: Give meaningful images descriptive alternative text and add captions to videos.
- Keep motion under control: Auto-playing sliders must be pausable, and animations should be reduced for users who choose “reduce motion” in their operating system.
- Build accessibility into your process: Repeat the checks as new content and pages are added, and make sure editors know about alternative text and heading structure.
Are Accessibility Overlays Enough?
Accessibility toolbars added with a single line of code and sold as making your site “instantly compliant” do not fix problems in the source code. A form field without a label or a menu that cannot be opened with the keyboard is not fixed by a toolbar placed on top. The lasting solution is to address accessibility during design and development.
That does not make tools offering extra comfort worthless. On a properly built site, offering options such as text size, contrast or a reading guide enriches the experience, as long as they do not replace core accessibility.
A Real Example: Özürlüler Vakfı
At Rectura we redesigned and rebuilt the website of Özürlüler Vakfı with accessibility at its core. The site was built to WCAG 2.2 AA: every template passes automated accessibility tests without errors and scores 100 for accessibility in Lighthouse. We also developed a custom accessibility menu with text-to-speech, contrast and colour-blindness filters and ready-made profiles for different needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EAA apply to companies outside the EU?
If you offer a service in scope, such as e-commerce, to consumers in the EU, being based outside the EU does not take you out of scope. If you only sell to customers outside the EU, the EAA does not apply directly; accessibility is still a strong investment for user experience and SEO.
Does a Lighthouse score of 100 mean my site is accessible?
No. A score of 100 shows that the rules that can be checked automatically pass. Keyboard use, the screen reader experience and the clarity of content require manual testing.
Should I fix my current site or rebuild it?
If most issues are at template level, improving the existing site is often enough. If the platform is outdated and the design is due for a refresh anyway, a redesign that plans accessibility from the start can be more economical.
If you would like to review your website’s accessibility together, you can request a quote from us.