Preparing for Accessibility 2025 involves understanding the relevant legislation, conducting thorough audits, and implementing best practices to ensure compliance and enhance user experience.

Key Legislation: 

Two critical pieces of legislation are shaping the accessibility standards for websites:

EU Web Accessibility Directive

• Effective since September 2020, this directive requires public body websites to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines.
• Websites must have an accessibility statement detailing compliant and non-compliant areas, along with a feedback mechanism for users to report accessibility issues.
• EU member states regularly monitor public body websites to ensure compliance.
  

European Accessibility Act

• Signed into law in Ireland in December and effective from June 28, 2025.
• Extends the requirements of the EU Web Accessibility Directive to private sector websites.
• Aims to address the needs of nearly 1 in 5 Europeans living with disabilities, translating to approximately 1 million people in Ireland.

These legislations underscore the importance of making digital content accessible to all users, benefiting not only individuals with disabilities but also enhancing usability for everyone.

The Benefits of Accessibility

Accessibility improvements benefit a wide range of users. Features initially designed for people with disabilities, such as voice control functions, adjustable font sizes, and autocomplete text, are now widely used. Additionally, captions on videos and alternative text for images enhance the user experience for everyone.

Preparing for Compliance: Steps to Take

Conduct an Accessibility Audit

• Manual Audit: Test website compatibility with keyboard navigation and assistive devices like screen readers.
• Automated Audit: Use software to scan web pages for recurring issues in HTML and content.
• Hybrid Audit: Combine manual and automated methods to thoroughly test templates and content pages against WCAG 2.2 guidelines.
  The audit results in an accessibility report identifying and categorising issues as blockers, critical, serious, moderate, or minor, with recommendations for resolution.

Implement Accessibility Monitoring Software

• Set up software to receive weekly reports on new non-compliant areas and take corrective action promptly.
  
  

Address Common Website Content Accessibility Issues

• Link Text: Avoid generic link text like "click here." Use descriptive text that provides context, such as "Read our latest blog post on website accessibility."
• Alt Text: Alt text helps visually impaired users understand the image. Ensure all relevant images have concise and specific alternative text. Avoid uploading generic image filenames and include the essential information in alt text for context.
• PDFs and Word Documents: Ensure these documents are accessible. Confirm with designers or agencies that they have checked for accessibility before uploading to your website.
• Content Structure: Use semantic HTML for headings and subheadings in your CMS content. This helps users with screen readers to navigate content easily.
• Audio and Video Content: Provide transcripts for audio content and captions for videos. Professional closed captions are preferred, but automated YouTube captions can be a temporary solution.
  

Accessibility Training

Schedule training sessions for your CMS to ensure your team understands how to add accessible content.

Looking Ahead

As the June 2025 deadline approaches, it's essential to start preparing now. Conducting thorough audits, implementing monitoring tools, and addressing common accessibility issues will help ensure compliance and improve user experience. Regularly review and update your accessibility practices to stay compliant with evolving standards.

Final Thoughts

Accessibility is not just a legal requirement but a means to create a more inclusive digital environment. By preparing for the changing landscape of accessibility standards, you can ensure your web platforms are accessible to all users, enhancing your brand reputation and user satisfaction.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. We can provide detailed guidance and support to help you navigate these changes.