EU Law Pushes Tech Firms to Confront Accessibility Gaps
A new report from the Royal Society accentuates the need for technology firms to address accessibility gaps as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) takes effect.
Published in June 2025, the study delves into digital assistive technologies and their role in aiding independent living for disabled individuals while alerting companies to the challenges posed by new regulations.
The report uncovers that, in today's society, disabled individuals encounter substantial obstacles in accessing technology, with notably lower smartphone ownership rates among disabled groups compared to others.
The Royal Society surveyed more than 800 disabled UK residents and discovered that 64% require digital technologies to access essential services and more than half stated they couldn't live as they do without these technologies.
Inside the European Accessibility Act
The EAA, applicable across all EU member states, mandates accessibility standards for digital services and products, threatening companies with financial penalties for non-compliance.
Both digital and physical offerings must be accessible to those with visual, hearing or mobility impairments. This applies to everyday items like websites, ATMs, mobile applications, banking and transportation services.
To adhere to EU standards, service providers must account for disabled individuals' needs.
This can involve keyboard accessibility, user-friendly interfaces or sensory assistance, compelling firms to design and offer products with a broader audience in mind.
Industry executives recognise the legislation as presenting both challenges and opportunities.
“The EAA isn't just about the 80 million EU citizens living with disabilities. It's about creating inclusive experiences for everyone,” says John Hayes, Product Marketing Manager at Upland Software.
“Accessibility is global. It's good business. And it's the right thing to do.”
The need for meaningful consultation
The Royal Society's study identifies a dearth of accessibility expertise in the tech sector, a shortcoming threatening the industry's potential progress.
Although problematic now, the report sees this as a possible opportunity for innovation and growth in the future.
One of the principal recommendations urges that disabled individuals play a central role in technology development within the EU, rather than being consulted as an afterthought.
“We shouldn’t be developing assistive technologies or policies without disabled people being front and centre of the process," says Dr Hamied Haroon, member of the Royal Society Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s Disabled Scientists Subgroup.
Optimism for future opportunities is strong.
Hasan Tayem, Brand Ambassador at NaviLens, says: “I believe this will create fantastic job opportunities for accessibility specialists all over Europe.
"Even more importantly, it's a chance for people with disabilities to step into these roles themselves.”
The Royal Society's report outlines five main recommendations:
- Collect more and better data on disabled demographics
- Recognise smartphones as assistive technologies
- Ensure disabled involvement in product and service design
- Make assistive technologies more affordable
- Safeguard against digital exclusion
Barriers to digital inclusion
The report indicates that affordability is a significant barrier preventing disabled individuals from accessing necessary assistive technologies for modern life.
In the UK, disabled households face extra costs of £1,000 (US$1,358) monthly to maintain comparable living standards to non-disabled households.
Additionally, 58% of non-users express that they would embrace digital assistive technologies if more information on available options were accessible.
The EAA represents a vital step forward in addressing this. Never before have such comprehensive, inclusive regulations been enacted.
Tim Scannell, British Sign Language Teacher at BSL First, concludes: "The UK and EU can lead the way but only if we act now."
