EAA's Slow Progress: Europe's Digital Accessibility Struggle
The European Accessibility Act (EAA), effective since June 28, 2025, mandates digital accessibility for all companies in Europe. However, progress remains slow due to lack of training, awareness, and support. In France, the situation is further complicated by complex legislation and insufficient controls.
The EAA requires companies to meet precise technical criteria, such as keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility. Yet, many websites still lack these features, with no clear improvement in sight. A French lawyers' collective, 'Interesse a Agieren', has been addressing companies about website accessibility, but no information is available on their progress as of July 20, 2025.
In France, the Association Valentin Hauy (AVH) supports visually impaired individuals by providing adapted PCs and screen reader software. Despite this, the accumulation of laws and lack of systematic controls limit the EAA's impact. Four major distributors received formal notices for inaccessible websites, but their responses and compliance remain uncertain.
Digital accessibility trainer Florent Mégelas and visually impaired individual Madame Schneider meet weekly to configure iPhones for better accessibility. This grassroots effort highlights the need for more widespread training and support among developers and users alike.
The EAA's potential to improve digital accessibility across Europe is significant. However, without proper training, awareness, and enforcement, its impact remains limited. In France, complex legislation and insufficient controls further hinder progress. Stakeholders must work together to ensure the EAA's goals are met, making digital services accessible to all.
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