With just over three months until the EU’s European Accessibility Act’s highly anticipated implementation date, new research by Storyblok reveals that only 25% of European businesses say they are fully prepared to comply with the Act’s provisions.
According to an extensive analysis of 200 European senior professionals involved in digital accessibility, only 47.5% of companies are fully aware of the regulations and have a solid understanding of the Act. A third (34%) say they are somewhat aware of the Act but need more information. Concerningly, a fifth (18.5%) admit they are still not aware of the Act’s requirements at all, despite the serious potential legal and financial ramifications of non-compliance.
The research also reveals that 46.5% state they feel somewhat prepared but still have work to do. Almost a third (28.5%) lack confidence about their company’s level of preparation, of which 16% acknowledge they are not prepared at all.
In terms of the process of adapting their digital products and services to comply with the EAA, just 19.5% say they have made most of the changes required. 46.5% are still in the process and 24.5% say they haven’t started yet, but plan to. Most worryingly, 9.5% say they have no plans to make the required changes at the current time putting them at serious risk of non-compliance.
This comes as the EAA continues to gain increased attention as its compliance deadline approaches. Introduced in 2019, this regulation aims to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities and promote inclusivity across various industries, including digital platforms. As part of this, businesses must ensure that any new products and services they offer adhere to the accessibility standards outlined by the Act by 28 June 2025.
The Act applies to any business providing products and services to EU citizens which means companies headquartered outside the EU could also be impacted.
Dominik Angerer, co-founder of Storyblok, said: “Compliance with the European Accessibility Act isn’t just about adhering to another piece of red tape. It’s about creating inclusive experiences that benefit all possible users.
“Around 87 million people in Europe have a disability – equating to roughly one in every four adults. By failing to make their websites and content accessible to all, businesses now not only face legal complications but could be unknowingly isolating a huge potential chunk of business.
“It’s worth remembering this Act doesn’t just impact EU businesses, it applies to any company, no matter where they originate, that provides products and services to EU customers. I think it’s safe to assume that the level of awareness and compliance outside Europe is going to be even lower which could result in some unwelcome surprises in June for companies across the world.”
Although many businesses are not yet fully prepared to meet the upcoming requirements of the Act, Storyblok notes that a considerable 53% of participants stated that accessibility is a top priority for their business.
The study also identifies several challenges and barriers in building accessible digital experiences. These include limited resources (37.5%), technical limitations or a lack of suitable tools (22.5%), and difficulty integrating accessibility into existing workforces (15.5%).
Indicative of such limitations, only 27.5% of respondents said they feel their company has in-depth knowledge and understanding of digital accessibility standards. Yet, only 30.5% of companies regularly provide accessibility training for their employees.
The good news, according to Storyblok, is that ensuring EAA compliance and, in turn, better accessibility doesn’t need to be costly or complex, but hinges on a greater understanding of the issues that can make a website difficult to use by certain people.
Dominik adds: “Achieving EAA compliance is easier than many businesses think. Simple changes like improving colour contrast, adding alt text, and ensuring content is navigable by keyboard can have a big impact.
“It’s also worth conducting a full website review to ensure every page is accessible. For example, testing with assistive technologies, such as screen readers and keyboard-only navigation, to see firsthand how the user experience differs and adjust accordingly.
“There are lots of additional tools out there which can help too, such as free accessibility website checks. Of course, with a headless CMS, such as Storyblok, it’s easier for companies to bake accessibility into their digital experiences from the ground up.”
