Impactful figures in accessibility: 22 crucial statistics to consider
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), an EU-wide legislation aimed at removing digital barriers for people with disabilities, was confirmed to come into effect on June 28, 2025. This legislation will compel businesses to ensure that their digital services, including websites, mobile apps, and booking systems, conform to the EAA's accessibility standards.
Catering to approximately 80 million EU residents with disabilities, these digital accessibility improvements can significantly boost user experiences, SEO, and reach in the market. For many businesses, compliance with the EAA represents a sizable shift in their digital service design and maintenance.
As a performance marketing agency, we regard the EAA’s compliance deadline as an opportunity to improve user experiences, strengthen SEO, and expand market presence as we ensure that our digital services, and those of our clients, are accessible and inclusive according to the EAA.
The EAA aims to streamline inclusive online access across Europe by setting common accessibility standards across the continent. Areas like websites, apps, e-commerce, banking services, transport, and digital devices will all be covered by the new regulations. The overall goal is to break down digital market barriers for disabled individuals, ensuring perfect online content accessibility for everyone.
For those yet to start working on EAA-friendly changes, or even those unsure about what actions to take, we encourage you to get in touch. Our team is ready to help your digital services and websites become compliant with the EAA while remaining competitive in the market.
What is the EAA?The EAA, or the Act on Improving the Accessibility of Websites and Other Digital Services, focuses on improving the accessibility of products and services for EU citizens with disabilities. Streamlining rules across EU nations, it seeks to create a more accessible and inclusive digital market for people with disabilities.
A few key statistics highlight the necessity of laws like the EAA:
- Over 96% of the top 1,000,000 websites on the internet are currently inaccessible to people with disabilities
- Around 10% of the UK population has dyslexia, with 4.5% of the population colour-blind
- Over 16 million UK residents had a disability during the 2022/23 financial year
- Difficulty accessing websites can deter up to 61% of mobile users from returning and 79% from visiting competitors
- Unsatisfied customers are twice as likely to report poor experiences to 15 people or more, yet only 1 out of 26 people usually complain
Of note, the EAA has been in development since June 28, 2019, when it officially came into force. By June 28, 2022, all EU member states must have the EAA legislation integrated into their national laws, with full compliance from each state expected by June 28, 2025.
While it is mandatory for businesses to adhere to the EAA, it brings promising financial rewards for those who comply. The following penalties are expected from June 28, 2025:
- Fines ranging from €5,000 to €20,000 will be imposed per issue, depending on severity
- Persistent violations may result in ongoing fines of up to €1,000 per day
In 2022, 2,387 digital accessibility-related lawsuits were filed in the US under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This underscores the financial significance of web accessibility for businesses. These regulations impact more than just businesses in disadvantaged industries, as a staggering 68% of all businesses maintain a website.
Many businesses underestimate their ability to meet the EAA requirements, citing a lack of in-house expertise as the primary reason. AudioEye's Regional Vice President of Sales, Matthew Freeman, shared that with the right tools and support, businesses can achieve EAA compliance relatively easily: "With the right tools and support, compliance becomes both manageable and an opportunity to create digital experiences that work for all."
By addressing accessibility concerns, businesses can tap into a largely untapped market segment, enjoy better user experiences, and improve SEO rankings. The consensus among marketing professionals is that accessibility should move from being a 'nice-to-have' to a necessary priority.
If your business falls under the jurisdiction of the EU and offers digital products/services to consumers, you are required to comply with the EAA regulations. The EAA primarily targets medium to large businesses with over 10 employees and an annual turnover of more than 2 million euros. However, smaller companies might need to comply as part of partnership agreements with government agencies or larger businesses.
In conclusion, the EAA ushers in a new era of digital business in the EU, focusing on accessibility and inclusivity. Compliance is not only vital to avoid hefty fines but also presents growth opportunities in various aspects such as improved SEO, user experience, and brand reputation.
To ensure your organization is EAA-compliant, reach out to us today and begin your journey toward accessibility and inclusivity.
Improving user experiences through digital accessibility becomes imperative under the European Accessibility Act (EAA), as complying with its standards can significantly boost SEO, reach in the market, and brand reputation. Technology and tools, like those provided by AudioEye, can facilitate making digital services accessible and inclusive whilst ensuring compliance with the EAA.
