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If you’re working in a government organization, whether at a local level or as an EU-wide authority, accessibility has likely been on your radar for some time. The European Union’s digital accessibility landscape is complex, and for those working in government bodies, keeping up with both EU-wide legislation and national laws requires constant attention.
While focusing on compliance, let’s not forget what truly matters – making your content and services accessible to all citizens. The reality is that for millions of people, these services remain frustratingly out of reach. This is precisely why the European Commission is taking action once again with the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
But what does this mean for you and your government organization? Are there new rules? What do you actually need to do?
In this article, we break down:
Before diving into new laws and what needs to be accessible, let’s understand the different pieces of legislation and standards governing digital accessibility in Europe.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) serve as the backbone of digital accessibility standards worldwide. Now at version 2.2, these guidelines come from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and provide the technical foundation for most accessibility legislation. WCAG is built around four essential principles: content must be Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Each principle contains specific guidelines and success criteria at three levels: A (basic), AA (intermediate), and AAA (advanced).
The Web Accessibility Directive (Directive 2016/2102) specifically targets public sector websites and mobile applications. This directive requires all public sector bodies in the EU to meet WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards and publish accessibility statements. It also requires regular monitoring and reporting of compliance.
Individual countries have implemented their own legislation. Take Germany’s Barrierefreie-Informationstechnik-Verordnung (BITV 2.0) – their technical implementation of EU directives. BITV 2.0 sets particularly high standards, requiring federal government websites to meet most WCAG 2.2 Level AAA requirements on top of the standard Level AA. They’ve also added specific requirements for plain language and German Sign Language for important content.
The Dutch Digital Government Act (Wdo) takes things further by requiring real-world usability testing. Unlike many countries that focus mainly on technical compliance, Dutch law demands evidence that people with disabilities can actually complete tasks using government services, not just that the services meet technical standards.
Let’s clear up a common misunderstanding – the EAA doesn’t introduce external audits and strict penalties for public sector non-compliance. Instead, enforcement stays primarily at the national level, where governments are expected to self-monitor and report their compliance efforts.
While the EAA does not enforce governments on compliance, there are still some things to consider.
The EAA significantly impacts how you should procure digital services and technology. Since the law requires certain private-sector products and services to meet accessibility requirements, you cannot purchase non-compliant solutions.
For example:
This makes the EAA a standard for government technology procurement, even if it doesn’t directly impose new obligations on public sector digital services.
Another key aspect of the EAA is documentation accessibility. The law requires that all user information, manuals, and contracts related to covered products and services be accessible. While this rule mainly applies to private companies, governments providing instructions or public information tied to EAA-covered services will also need to ensure accessibility.
This means you’ll need to update your digital communication policies to align with EAA standards.
While the EAA primarily regulates private-sector services, the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) still directly applies to the public sector, requiring:
Don’t assume that complying with WAD means you automatically comply with the EAA. Since the EAA extends to self-service terminals, banking services, e-commerce, and telecommunications, you must review your services to identify overlaps and ensure consistency.
When your digital services aren’t accessible, you’re excluding citizens from essential services they have a right to access. Here are 10 key areas to focus on to make sure no one gets left behind when trying to use your services.
Your tax forms, benefit applications, and other critical government forms represent the core of citizen interaction with government services. Forms must be properly structured with clear labels, error messages, and help text that works with screen readers. Each form field needs proper ARIA labels, and error prevention mechanisms should catch common mistakes before submission. When errors occur, your system must explain exactly what went wrong and how to fix it, using plain language that works for both screen readers and people with cognitive disabilities.
Every PDF form citizens download must have a proper structure with tagged headings, form fields, and reading order. Citizens using screen readers should be able to fill out housing benefit applications or business registration forms independently. Provide alternatives too – if someone can’t use a PDF, they should have access to an accessible web form version.
For video content on your platforms, ensure all pre-recorded content includes proper SDH subtitles. When creating public announcements or educational videos about government services, include audio descriptions that explain important visual information. Every video player on your website needs keyboard-accessible controls and a transcript for those who prefer reading.
Amberscript offers SDH subtitles and transcripts that meet WCAG requirements, making it easier for government organizations to comply with accessibility standards. Request a quote from Amberscript today to see how we can help with your accessibility needs without stretching your budget.
Your maps and location services require special attention. If you’re showing the locations of government offices or public services, provide multiple ways to access this information. Beyond the visual map, include a text list of locations with addresses and clear directions. For interactive maps, ensure all functions work with keyboard navigation and provide alternative text descriptions for important map features.
Your contact forms should work with keyboard navigation and screen readers. If you’re using chat services, ensure they’re compatible with assistive technologies and provide clear status updates. When sending automated emails about applications or appointments, ensure they’re formatted for screen readers with proper headings and structure.
For mobile applications, every touchpoint must be accessible. Citizens using screen readers should be able to navigate through menus easily, and all buttons need clear labels that make sense when read aloud. Touch targets should be large enough for users with motor impairments, and include alternative text for all icons and images.
Every step of the payment process must be clearly announced to screen reader users. Error prevention is crucial – provide clear warnings before irreversible actions and ensure confirmation messages are accessible. The system should work seamlessly with keyboard navigation and clearly indicate the current step in the process.
Your website’s navigation should make sense when read aloud by screen readers, with clear headings and a logical structure. Search functions need to be accessible with keyboard navigation, and results should be clearly announced to screen reader users.
Critical updates should be immediately visible to screen reader users, and emergency contact information should be easily accessible without complex navigation. Ensure multiple formats are available for all emergency communications.
Use plain language, consistent navigation patterns, and clear headings. Break complex processes into manageable steps, and provide progress indicators that work for all users. Every form should include clear instructions and example inputs where helpful.
If you’ve read this far, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed and thinking: “But where do I start?” Digital accessibility compliance for governments is complex but manageable with a structured approach. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, follow a step-by-step strategy to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2, the Web Accessibility Directive (2016/2102), and the European Accessibility Act (EAA) without unnecessary costs.
Start by identifying all the areas that need to be improved for compliance with national and international accessibility laws. Conduct an audit of your digital platforms and document key accessibility gaps and which laws are covering them.
Not everything needs fixing at once. Focus first on essential services and content that impact the most users. Address the most urgent compliance issues that could lead to legal risks or major accessibility barriers.
For the remaining improvements, assess each initiative based on cost and impact. Categorize them into high-impact/low-cost, high-impact/high-cost, low-impact/low-cost, and low-impact/high-cost. This helps in making informed, budget-conscious decisions.
Begin with accessibility improvements that provide the most value for the least effort. Quick fixes can significantly enhance compliance and user experience without requiring major investment. Once those are addressed, move on to more complex and costly improvements as resources allow.
Accessibility is most effective when tested with people who rely on it. Running small usability sessions with employees who use assistive technology or partnering with local disability advocacy groups can highlight accessibility gaps before they become problems.
Government organizations face increasing accessibility requirements, but compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The EAA, Web Accessibility Directive, and WCAG 2.2 set the standards, but the real challenge is making accessibility practical and sustainable.
By taking clear, manageable steps, governments can meet legal requirements and create truly inclusive services without blowing the budget.
Need help with making your content accessible? Order SDH subtitles and transcripts that meet WCAG requirements, making it easier for you to comply with strict accessibility standards.
