European Accessibility Act: Tech Firms Need Inclusivity
A new report from the Royal Society has highlighted a need for technology companies to address accessibility gaps as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes into effect.
The study, published in June 2025, looks into how digital assistive technologies can support independent living for disabled people while warning companies of the challenges that await them as they look to comply with the new regulations.
The report reveals that disabled people are faced with significant barriers in accessing technology, with smartphone ownership rates far lower amongst disabled demographics.
For its report, the Royal Society surveyed more than 800 disabled people based in the UK and found that 64% need digital technologies to access critical services.
More than 50% of all the respondents said they could not live their lives as they do without the assistance of such technologies.
Inside the European Accessibility Act
The EAA, now relevant across all EU member states, introduces mandatory requirements for digital products and services, penalising non-compliance.
It ensures that digital and physical products must be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing or mobility impairments.
Covering a broad spectrum of items and services like websites, ATMs, mobile applications, banking and transportation, the EAA requires that service providers cater to the needs of disabled individuals.
Implementation could, for example, involve keyboard accessibility, intuitive interfaces or sensory assistance.
Industry executives view the legislation as creating both opportunities and challenges for technology companies.
“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.”
Meaningful consultation
The Royal Society’s report raises concerns about the current lack of accessibility expertise in the tech sector, posing a potential challenge to the industry's adaptation.
However, this gap is also seen as an impending opportunity.
The primary recommendation is the proactive inclusion of disabled individuals in tech development across the EU, instead of limiting their involvement to afterthoughts.
“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.
“I believe this will create fantastic job opportunities for accessibility specialists all over Europe,” says Hasan Tayem, Brand Ambassador at NaviLens.
“Even more importantly, it's a chance for people with disabilities to step into these roles themselves.”
The report makes five main recommendations:
- Collect comprehensive and improved data on disabled populations
- Recognise smartphones as integral assistive technologies
- Involve disabled individuals in product and service design
- Make assistive technologies economically accessible
- Guard against digital exclusion risks
The barriers to digital inclusion
The report from the Royal Society also sheds light on the financial barriers that hinder disabled individuals from accessing necessary assistive technologies.
In the UK, disabled households often face £1,000 (US$1,358) in extra costs each month to maintain the same living standards as non-disabled households.
Among those not using digital assistive technologies, 58% expressed willingness to use them more if they were aware of available options in the market.
“The UK and EU can lead the way but only if we act now,” says Tim Scannell, British Sign Language Teach at BSL First.
