As we move into 2025, the European Union is taking significant steps to ensure that all websites are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. The new EU Web Accessibility Directive, which mandates compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), is set to come into full effect next year. At Egg Design, we understand the importance of these regulations and are here to help your business navigate and comply with them.
What is WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are a set of recommendations developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible. WCAG is built on four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). Each principle includes specific guidelines and success criteria designed to address different aspects of accessibility. The guidelines are categorized into three levels of compliance:
– Level A: The minimum level of accessibility.
– Level AA: The mid-range level and generally the target for legal requirements.
– Level AAA: The highest and most comprehensive level of accessibility.
What Does the New EU Law Require?
The new EU directive will require all public sector websites and mobile applications to comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. While private sector businesses are not yet mandated by law, it is highly recommended to follow these guidelines as they promote inclusivity and ensure that your website is accessible to a wider audience.
Failure to comply can result in legal repercussions, including fines and other penalties. Moreover, having an accessible website enhances user experience, boosts SEO performance, and demonstrates your commitment to social responsibility.
How Egg Design Can Help
At Egg Design, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional, and accessible websites that meet WCAG standards. Here’s how we can assist you:
1. Accessibility Audit
Our team will conduct a comprehensive audit of your current website to identify any accessibility issues. We use both automated tools and manual testing methods to ensure thorough and accurate results. This audit will provide you with a clear understanding of what needs to be fixed to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
2. Remediation and Compliance
Once we’ve identified the areas that need improvement, our expert developers and designers will work on remediating the issues. This includes optimising text readability, ensuring keyboard navigability, providing alternative text for images, and more. We ensure that your website not only meets but exceeds the required accessibility standards.
3. Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Accessibility is an ongoing process. As web technologies and guidelines evolve, so should your website. Egg Design offers a new ongoing support and maintenance which includes monthly accessibility scans and fixes to keep your site compliant and up-to-date with the latest accessibility standards.
4. Training and Consultation
We work with partners who provide training sessions for your team to help them understand the importance of web accessibility and how to maintain it. Consultations cover best practices, practical tips, and the latest updates in web accessibility standards.
5. User Testing with Diverse Audiences
To ensure real-world accessibility, we conduct user testing with people who have different disabilities. This helps us gather valuable feedback and make necessary adjustments to improve the user experience for everyone.
Why Choose Egg Design?
– Expertise: With years of experience in web design and accessibility, we are well-equipped to handle the complexities of WCAG compliance.
– Customised Solutions: We understand that every business is unique. Our solutions are tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.
– Commitment to Quality: We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, accessible websites that not only comply with regulations but also enhance user experience.
Get Started Today
Don’t wait until the new EU law comes into effect to start thinking about web accessibility. By ensuring your website is WCAG compliant now, you’ll not only avoid potential legal issues but also open your doors to a broader audience.
Contact Egg Design today to learn more about our web accessibility services and how we can help your business stay ahead of the curve.
Egg Design – Making the web accessible for everyone.