The legal deadline of June 28 is now behind us. In theory, organizations should now have their digital accessibility in order. In practice, however, we see that many websites and platforms still don’t comply with the applicable standards. And even organizations that have properly published an accessibility statement often turn out to be non-compliant just a few weeks later.

Digital accessibility: staying compliant

Staying digitally accessible is not a one-time action, but a continuous process. New content, technical updates, and design changes can cause a website to fall out of step unnoticed. The ACM (Authority for Consumers and Markets) supervises and may take enforcement action in the future with substantial fines that can reach up to €100,000.

With Eye-Able®, you get control over this process. The dashboard immediately signals where your digital environment deviates and provides concrete solutions to become compliant again. This way, you maintain control over compliance not only today, but also tomorrow and next year.

Why compliance is more important than ever

Almost a quarter of Dutch people live with a disability and therefore experience daily problems when using websites and digital platforms. Think of visual impairment, hearing impairment, or low literacy. Without an accessible digital environment, they cannot find or understand important information.

Digital accessibility is therefore not only a legal obligation, but also a social responsibility and an opportunity. Research shows that an accessible website can deliver up to 15% more customers while simultaneously increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Research shows that approximately 3 million people in the Netherlands and Belgium live with a disability. And more are being added all the time. For example, about 60,000 people in these regions are affected by stroke annually, which often results in permanent physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. About 10% of the male population struggles with some degree of color blindness, and increasing aging emphasizes the need for accessible digital environments.

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially came into effect on June 28, 2025. This European legislation requires financial institutions, e-commerce companies, and digital service providers, among others, to make their digital environment accessible. Small businesses are exempt in some cases, but most organizations fall under the new rules.

Government websites already had to be digitally accessible since September 2020; government mobile apps since June 2021. Now it’s the business sector’s turn.

WCAG: the international standard

WCAG, or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, are international recommendations and guidelines for digital accessibility. The goal is to make websites and digital content usable and accessible to people with various disabilities, such as visual, auditory, motor, speech, and cognitive impairments.

Important requirements for WCAG:

Perceivable:
Content must be presented in ways that can be perceived by everyone.
Operable:
The interface and navigation must be usable by everyone, including those who cannot use a mouse.
Understandable:
Information and the operation of the user interface must be clear and understandable.
Robust:
Content must be reliably interpreted by various user agents, including assistive technologies.

Examples of WCAG Guidelines

• Text Alternatives: Provide text descriptions for non-text content such as images and videos.
• Accessible Navigation: Ensure all interactive elements are accessible via the keyboard.
• Readable Content: Use simple language and ensure sufficient contrast between text and background.
• Compatibility: Ensure the website works with different browsers and assistive technologies.

Why it’s relevant NOW

The deadline has passed. The ACM will monitor more strictly in the coming years and can impose fines for violations. This means that organizations that are not yet compliant immediately run risks.

Additionally, staying compliant is crucial. A website may meet requirements today but be out of balance again tomorrow due to new content or updates. Without active monitoring, compliance quickly becomes an illusion.

The solution

We work with Eye-Able^®, which offers solutions to improve the digital accessibility of websites and digital platforms. They do this through various services and tools that ensure your website meets international accessibility standards such as the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
They offer tools like magnification options, color filters, screen reader support, and customizable text display. This includes an audit tool that detects accessibility issues and provides solutions based on the latest guidelines. Additionally, we offer translation options and a tool for simplified translation to make content more understandable.

We list them below:
Audit Program: Comprehensive analysis of your digital platforms.
Assist Program: Tools and support to make your website more accessible.
Translations: Professional translation services to make your content more accessible to a broader audience.
Simpler Language: Adaptation of complex texts into simpler language for better readability and accessibility.

By following the WCAG guidelines, developers and designers can create inclusive websites. This way, everyone, regardless of their disabilities, has access to the information and services offered online.

Why is it also interesting for you?

Increase Reach:
More people visit your website, potentially leading to higher revenue.
Compliance:
Avoid fines by complying with the EAA.
Contribute to Inclusion:
Provide better digital accessibility for both employees and customers.
Save Costs:
Make your website accessible now to avoid higher costs later.
Higher SEO Ranking:
Accessible websites offer a better user experience and are rewarded by Google.
Competitive Advantage:
Companies that take accessibility seriously have an edge.
Customer Loyalty:
Satisfied customers are more likely to return.

Would you like to know how accessible your website really is?