Designing for Compliance: How to Apply the European Accessibility Act to Your Digital Interfaces

Jul 8

By June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will become enforceable across the EU, including in the Netherlands. It brings a legal obligation to ensure that digital products and services are accessible to people with disabilities.

But as UX/UI designers, this is more than a compliance issue. It’s an opportunity to build better, more inclusive experiences.

Here are the most essential design-focused steps to align with the EAA in your digital interfaces.

1. Design for WCAG 2.1 AA by Default

The EAA is grounded in the EN 301 549 standard, which aligns closely with WCAG 2.1 AA. This means your interface must meet criteria across:

Perceivable: Provide text alternatives for non-text content, captions for videos, clear layout hierarchy.
Operable: All functionality must be usable by keyboard. No flashing elements that could trigger seizures.
Understandable: Use consistent navigation, readable language, and clear feedback.
Robust: Your design must work with assistive technologies like screen readers.

🛠️ Use checklists like W3C’s quick reference to embed accessibility into your design handoff.

2. Color and Contrast Matter More Than You Think

Poor color contrast is one of the most common failures.

Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text (WCAG 2.1 AA requirement)
Never rely on color alone to communicate information (e.g., form error states)

🎨 Use tools like Stark or Contrast Grid during the design phase.

3. Support Keyboard Navigation

Every interactive component, from buttons to custom dropdowns, must be navigable using only a keyboard.
As a designer, ensure:

Logical tab order
Clear focus indicators
Avoiding keyboard traps

⌨️ Ask devs to test with Tab and Shift+Tab navigation across the full UI.

4. Design Forms That Work for Everyone

Forms are where accessibility usually breaks. To comply:

Always label inputs clearly (with <label> elements or ARIA where necessary)
Use placeholder text for hints, not labels
Group related fields and explain errors with clear, accessible feedback

🧩 Plan error handling and validation messages during design — don’t leave it to default browser messages.

5. Write Accessible Microcopy

UX writing is key to accessibility.

Avoid jargon and long sentences
Be direct and clear with buttons, labels, and alerts
Use headings to organize content meaningfully

📚 If screen reader users can't understand your text, it's not accessible — no matter how nice the visuals are.

6. Design with Assistive Tech in Mind

Not every user sees or interacts with your UI visually.
Your interface should:

Use proper HTML landmarks (navigation, main, footer)
Announce dynamic content changes with ARIA where needed
Avoid complex custom components that break screen reader logic

👓 Ask devs to test with NVDA or VoiceOver, and involve real users when possible.

Final Thought: Accessibility Is Design Quality

The EAA isn't about checking boxes. It’s about making products work for everyone — across abilities, devices, and contexts.

Designing with accessibility in mind results in:

Better UX
Broader reach
Legal compliance
Inclusive products you’re proud to ship

Start now, not later.

🛠️ If you're redesigning or auditing your product, use this moment to build accessibility into your process, not patch it at the end.

Talita Collares

I am a UX/UI designer focused on building clear, functional, and outcome-driven digital experiences. I work across research, strategy, and design to solve real user problems and align with business goals. I analyze user behavior, evaluate market fit, and make design decisions that prioritize usability, clarity, and performance — not decoration.