Accessibility

The European Accessibility Act requires that information, products and services are accessible for persons with disabilities. As of 28 June 2025 companies must comply with the EAA. 

Following the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, countries beyond the EU such as the UK, the USA and Canada, have also introduced or extended their Accessibility Legislation.

In the EU there are at least 87 million people who have disabilities. This is almost one in five Europeans, including many older people and those with a temporary impairment.

The new rules of the EAA will facilitate everyone’s access to computers, websites, online shops, public transport, banking services and more.

JPC International focuses on the required accessibility of audio visual and digital communication.

Both companies and customers will benefit from the accessibility requirements.

Companies, especially small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), will find it easier to trade with other EU countries and they will benefit from the certainty that they can sell their products and services throughout the EU. Companies will reach a wider potential customer base by making their offer accessible to millions of Europeans with a sight or hearing disability.

Customers will benefit from the legislation as it will drive innovation resulting in a wider and more socially inclusive offer at more competitive prices.

People without disabilities will also benefit as information, products and services that are developed with ‘design for all’ in mind become better in use for all citizens. An example is the facilitated use of a product in areas with poor light or excessive noise.

• Computers, TV equipment and operating systems.
• Smartphones and other communication devices, such as e-readers.
• ATMs, payment terminals, ticketing and check-in machines.
• Services related to air, bus, rail and waterborne passenger transport.
• Audio-visual media services (AVMS) such as TV broadcasting, online platforms, audiovisual commercial communication.
• Banking.
• e-Commerce.
• e-Books.
• Websites, mobile apps.

Scroll down to read more about the Accessibility legislation and Click Here to read about our services. 

Do the regulations of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) apply to you?

The EAA regulations apply to companies in all EU member states. Even micro companies are expected to make adjustments, within the scope of their possibilities, so that their information, products and services become accessible to persons with disabilities. Complying with the EAA will also be a requirement for growth. The EAA is likely to become more comprehensive in keeping with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Therefore, the sooner you bring about the necessary changes, the more advantageous this will be for your organisation. With the right guidance, you will be able to adopt an inclusive design approach that will eliminate the need to make costly adjustments later on.

As of 28 June 2025, customers will be able to file legal complaints if a company’s information, products or services are not accessible. 

Businesses will also have to comply with reporting obligations, whereby informing their consumers about the accessibility features of their information, products and services.

• Your offer, when designed for all, will be a better offer for all. There are many examples of products designed for people with a disability, that benefit all. Think of automatic doors that benefit everyone carrying a parcel and unable to free one hand to open a traditional door. Captions were created for people with a hearing impairment, but they benefit everyone who at times needs to follow a programme without sound, or those learning your language who benefit from reading the text for more clarity.
• Procurement regulations: in order to sell into Europe’s public sector, all aspects of your digital communication and offer have to be accessible. These standards are intended for the private sector too. Non-accessibility will limit your procurement opportunities throughout Europe.
• Inclusive design leads to greater efficiency and lower costs as updates can be implemented without additional workarounds.
• Avoidance of lawsuits and judgements that can be extremely costly, in time and money and also in negative publicity.
• Improves your entire offer. If one of your products or services is not accessible it reflects badly on the rest of your offer and can lead to loss of sales and customers.
• If your product works for everyone, you have increased your customer base, your customer loyalty and the foundations for a strong and positive reputation.

Please Click Here to read about our accessibility services in helping companies to comply with the new legislation.
Let’s join forces to create a much better and advantageous environment for all!