European Accessibility Act: Driving Inclusion and Growth

By Amit Borsok

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) in force since June 28, 2025, sets a new standard for digital inclusion across the EU. According to Amit Borsok, CEO and Co-Founder of AccessiWay, more than “just” compliance, the EEA is an opportunity for businesses to embrace universal design, improve usability for all and unlock long-term growth by embedding accessibility into their strategy.

On June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially came into force, marking a milestone for digital inclusion across the EU. This regulation ensures that products, services, software, and documents are fully accessible to all European citizens, particularly those with disabilities. It is part of a broader EU initiative to build an inclusive society where technological or structural barriers do not hinder access to goods and services.

Far from being just a legal requirement, the act represented a powerful opportunity for businesses to embrace universal design, create better experiences for everyone, and drive long-term growth through accessibility.

The EAA has set a clear baseline: accessibility is now a core requirement for digital products and services across the EU, as well as any organisation engaging with the market. For many, it’s a catalyst for rethinking how they design and deliver experiences – not just to meet regulations but to meet the diverse needs of their customers.

For those that embed accessibility from the start will gain more than compliance. They will discover the advantages of universal design, improved usability, stronger customer loyalty and solutions that serve a broader market, including Europe’s 100 million people with disabilities and its growing population (Eurostat, 2023).

The Compliance Gap

Despite years of preparation, many compliance teams are still struggling to meet the standard required by the EAA. From e-commerce platforms to banking apps and public transport systems, businesses large and small are discovering that accessibility is more complex than a quick technical fix.

Those who delayed action are now facing significant risk: regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and a loss of consumer trust.

We’ve seen first hand how organisations that approach accessibility strategically – from the earliest stages – are better able to close the compliance gap while also driving innovation and customer satisfaction.

More Than Compliance – It’s Straight Business 

Framing accessibility solely as a regulatory burden misses the bigger picture. Across Europe, more than 100 million people live with disabilities, and that number is rising as populations age. The EAA ensures their rights are protected  – but it also creates an opportunity for businesses to expand their reach, strengthen loyalty and future-proof their services.

When accessibility is done right, it benefits everyone. Captions, voice commands, simplified navigation – these features may be essential for some, but they improve usability for all. Businesses that embrace accessibility often discover that what begins as compliance ends up as innovation.

Accessibility as Equity

The EAA is also a societal milestone. It affirms that accessibility is not a privilege, but a right. By embedding equity into the digital economy, the EU is signaling a shift towards a more inclusive model of growth.

For companies, this means accessibility is no longer peripheral – it’s central to demonstrating responsibility, integrity and relevance in an increasing value drive market, especially for younger consumers. Customers, employees and investors alike are paying closer attention to whether businesses are meeting not just the basics, but are invested in the spirit of the law too.  

Embedding Accessibility into Strategy

So what does compliance look like in practice? It requires a cultural and operational shift. Accessibility must be built into product and services from the outset, not added as an afterthought.

That means cross-functional collaboration:

• Design and development teams integrating accessibility into core workflows
• Legal and compliance teams ensuring standards are met consistently across regions
• Leadership allocating resources and holding the organisation accountable

Accessibility is not a one-time project, but an ongoing process of design, testing and continuous improvement. Companies that view it as a strategic opportunity rather than a compliance checklist will gain long-term advantage.

The Opportunity Ahead

In the months and years ahead, we will see a growing divide between businesses that adapt to this new reality and those that do not. Those that invest early in accessibility will not only reduce legal and reputational risk, but also unlock new markets and strengthen customer trust.

Accessibility is slowly but surely becoming a market of innovation, a driver of inclusion and a measure of corporate integrity. In an economy defined by digital transformation, it is no longer optional – it is foundational.

About the Author

Amit Borsok is an entrepreneur who combines strong business expertise with a deep commitment to creating meaningful impact. In 2021, he founded AccessiWay to bridge the gap between technology and inclusion, empowering organizations to create truly accessible digital experiences. Under his leadership, the company has rapidly grown into a European leader, driving both business success and meaningful impact for people with disabilities.