In our previous blog post,“4 Powerful Web Design Trends for 2026 You Need to Know About Today,”we already touched on this briefly: in the coming years, accessibility will no longer be a nice-to-have, but an absolute requirement. And that’s because of the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
More and more companies are asking us, “What does that mean for my website? Do I need to make any changes?” The short answer is yes, especially if you’re serious about your digital future. We have some good news: with just a few relatively simple changes, you’ll be well on your way.
Who might find this blog interesting?
This blog is for anyone who wants to make their website future-proof. Whether you’re a business planning to launch a new site soon, an organization with an existing website that could use an update, or simply an enthusiastic reader who wants to stay up to date on the latest trends and regulations in web design, you’ve come to the right place.
What is the European Accessibility Act?
The EAA is a European law that requires digital services—such as websites, online stores, and apps—to be accessible to everyone, including people who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or have motor disabilities.
The guidelines are based on WCAG 2.1 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). These are the key developments regarding the European Accessibility Act: companies were required to comply with the rules by 2025, with June 28, 2025, as the deadline, and enforcement will begin in earnest starting in 2026.
What changes do you need to make to comply?
Below is a list of the most important points that you, as an SME business owner, should definitely check.
1. Color contrast: at least 4.5:1
Your design can be fancy, but text must be readable on all screens. Light gray on white? Unfortunately, that doesn’t comply with the European Accessibility Act. The standard is a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. This ensures better accessibility and visibility on mobile devices.
This isn't just a nice-to-have rule—it's a strict requirement for better readability. Good contrast not only makes your site more accessible, but also more user-friendly for everyone.
Please note: Color contrast rules apply primarily to text and buttons that serve a functional purpose. These guidelines do not apply to logos and decorative images.
2. Font size: at least 14pt or 16px
Small font sizes are outdated. WCAG sets a minimum readability standard so that everyone can follow your content without difficulty. Are you using a font size smaller than 16px for body text? Then it’s time to increase the font size. What might just be legible on a desktop is often unreadable on a mobile device.
Please note: font size guidelines apply primarily to functional text and buttons. These guidelines do not apply to logos and decorative images.
3. Alt text for images
Screen readers use alt text to describe images for blind and visually impaired visitors. This isn’t just a requirement—it also boosts your SEO. Search engines can better understand the content on your site, which helps improve your visibility.
Please note: alt text is not a place for meaningless keywords, but a short, clear description of what is shown in the image. Think: “woman typing on a laptop in an office” instead of “JKC Media homepage image.”
4. Keyboard Navigation and Structure
Not everyone uses a mouse to navigate a website. So make sure your site is also easy to navigate using the keyboard. Can a visitor easily tab through the page? Is it always clear where the focus is? And can you fill out forms completely without a mouse? Consider skip links, clear focus styles, and a logical tab order.
5. Clear structure and forms
Use clear headings (H1, H2), plenty of white space, and accessible forms. This helps visitors quickly find the right information and prevents confusion. Screen readers also benefit from a clear structure. A contact form that doesn’t work without a mouse? That’s not WCAG-compliant.
Conclusion
Accessibility is no longer just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. The European Accessibility Act sets clear requirements for websites and digital services. These include sufficient color contrast, readable text, alt text for images, and a site that works well even without a mouse.
It’s now the end of 2025. That means it’s really time to get your website in order. Starting in June 2025, companies must comply with the guidelines, and enforcement will begin in 2026.
For small and medium-sized businesses, now is the time to check whether their websites are ready to meet these requirements. It doesn’t have to be a big or complicated process—as long as you know what to look for. At JKC, we take this responsibility seriously: we proactively reach out to clients to ensure their websites meet accessibility requirements.
Not sure if your site meets the requirements? Contact us here, and let's take a look together.
