Ultimate Guide to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) for Video

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) establishes accessibility requirements for several key products and services to benefit individuals with disabilities and elderly people in the European Union. The goal of the legislation is to eliminate the barriers that people with disabilities confront when accessing modern-day technologies.

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What Is the European Accessibility Act?

The European Accessibility Act sets requirements for several products and services such as:

• Ticketing and check-in machines
• Computers and operating systems
• Smartphones
• TV equipment related to digital television services
• Telephony services and related equipment
• Banking services
• Audiovisual media services, such as television broadcast and related consumer equipment
• eBooks
• eCommerce
• Services related to air, bus, rail, and waterborne passenger transport
• Websites and mobile applications

The idea is to encourage companies to integrate accessibility into their development process – not have it be an afterthought.

While the EAA defines accessibility requirements, it does not specify technical solutions for achieving them. Companies should take the initiative and engage with regulatory bodies in their operating countries to better understand local interpretations of the law.

As stated by the European Commission’s fact sheet, the EAA:

• uses a set of common accessibility requirements for products and services in the EU
• creates an obligation for Member States of the EU
• uses the same accessibility requirements to define the accessibility obligation laid down in the existing EU law
• supports implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
• ensures that all products and services complying with accessibility requirements will circulate freely in the internal market
• does not prescribe technical details to meet, but allows for the implementation and development of technical standards if necessary
• does not set obligations for all manufacturers and service providers, only for those selected on the list of products and services
• does not impose burdensome requirements by providing safeguards or disproportionate burden and fundamental alteration
• does not amend existing EU sectorial legislation on accessibility

While the EU Commission is responsible for drafting the directive, the enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of national regulatory bodies. This distinction is crucial, as compliance requirements may differ from country to country.

What Does the EAA Mean for Video Accessibility?

Imagine trying to enjoy your favorite movie, but you can’t hear the dialogue. Or needing to access critical information in a training video, but you’re blind. This is the reality for millions of Europeans, and it’s exactly what the EAA aims to address, especially when it comes to video.

The EAA mandates accessibility for content distributed over the internet. This means all online touchpoints, including websites, apps, media players, products that use video, kiosks, e-commerce platforms, streaming services, and connected TV services, must be made accessible to individuals with disabilities. Note, traditional broadcasters should adhere to local rules.

The EAA emphasizes that accessibility is fundamentally about ensuring that information and services can be effectively perceived, operated, understood, and used by people with disabilities. 

When a company (or any organization) wants to ensure its products and services are truly accessible, providing information in alternative formats is crucial.

In order to make video accessible, it should include closed captions, audio description, transcripts, and sign language interpretation. These assets should be accurate, time synchronized, and allow the user to control the display and use.

Compliance with EAA for Media and Entertainment

Media and entertainment content falls under the category of audiovisual media services, which are defined as mass media whose purpose is to inform, entertain, and educate the general public, including ads.

Under the EAA, streaming services and other on-demand providers must ensure their content is accessible, aligning their obligations with those of traditional broadcasters. This includes providing closed captions (CC) and audio descriptions (AD) in the language of the published content to support viewers with disabilities.

Additionally, Article 32 of the EAA allows a five-year transitional period for audiovisual media services to make content published before June 2025 accessible, allowing time for compliance with new accessibility requirements.

Corporate and Education Compliance with EAA

For both corporate and education, the EAA encourages a shift from reactive accessibility measures to proactive, “design for all” approaches. This means incorporating accessibility into the initial design and development process, rather than adding it as an afterthought.

Companies that provide products and services within the EU must ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities. 

This means corporations will need to invest in:

• Accessible design and development.
• Testing with assistive technologies.
• Providing accessible customer support.
• Creating accessible documentation and training materials.
• Tools and resources for internal accessibility.

Educational institutions must ensure accessibility for all students by providing accessible learning materials, educational services, inclusive environments, and technology, along with training and awareness for educators and staff.

Exemptions to the EAA: What You Need to Know

As stated in Article 2 of the EAA, pre-recorded time-based media published before June 28, 2025, on websites and mobile apps is exempt from accessibility requirements.

However, this does not apply to audiovisual media services (e.g., streaming platforms and broadcasters). Under Article 32, these services have until 2030 to make their backlog content accessible.

Multilingual Support

While the EAA does not explicitly list every language, it requires accessibility for all users within the EU. If you publish content in a specific language for a given market (e.g., an Italian version of an English video for Italy), then the accessibility features must be in the same language. For example, this means Italian captions and audio description for an Italian audience.

Organizations should prioritize the languages used in the markets they are targeting.

Who Does the EAA Benefit?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) aims to create a more equitable digital landscape for the 10 million people with disabilities living in the EU. By mandating features like audio assistance on ATMs, the EAA enhances the daily lives of disabled individuals, fosters job creation in the accessibility sector, and promotes a more inclusive educational environment. Additionally, businesses that implement EAA requirements can tap into a broader customer base and streamline cross-border trade within the EU.

Where to Start with EAA Compliance

For organizations navigating EU Accessibility Act compliance, particularly regarding video content, a focused approach is crucial. 

1. Audit existing libraries: Begin by auditing existing video libraries and workflows to identify accessibility gaps, specifically regarding captioning, subtitling, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation. 
2. Train your team: Invest in training for content creators and localization teams on accessible video production and localization practices.
3. Establish team roles: Define clear team roles and establish quality assurance protocol to ensure efficient and effective EAA compliance
4. Create an accessibility statement: Develop a detailed accessibility statement for all video content, clearly outlining compliance measures and providing channels for user feedback, ensuring continuous improvement and adherence to the EAA’s evolving requirements.

 

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This blog post is written for educational and general information purposes only and does not constitute specific legal advice. This blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.