Before reading this article, check your website’s accessibility (no charge or registration) at www.AAAtraq.com/check to see exactly where you stand on compliance.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA), effective June 28, 2025, will require all businesses operating within the EU to ensure their digital platforms are accessible to people with disabilities, the elderly, and those with temporary impairments. However, many organizations are unprepared. Lawrence Shaw, CEO of AAAtraq, warns, “Organizations are running out of time to meet compliance, and manual approaches will only lead to failure.”

The Global Shift to Digital Accessibility

As highlighted in a recent article by Mark Chillingworth on diginomica’s website, the EAA signals a fundamental shift in how businesses approach digital accessibility. The Act isn’t just about legal compliance—it's about making digital services usable for everyone, including those facing challenges from aging or temporary injuries. 

Suraj Kika, CEO of Jadu, reinforces this message, noting that accessibility isn’t discussed enough in terms of its business benefits. Organizations that embrace accessibility will not only avoid legal pitfalls but also broaden their audience and enhance their digital services.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

The EAA poses significant challenges for organizations that fail to comply. Shaw points out that for a typical company managing 50 websites across multiple regions, the costs of compliance could reach $6.2 million (if we take the data from the last 4 years), with only 6% of content meeting basic accessibility standards. These numbers make the current reactive, manual approach unsustainable, especially as digital accessibility lawsuits rise.

To avoid these high costs and ensure compliance, Shaw emphasizes the importance of unbiased auditing—not carried out by the same entities responsible for the work—and vendor accountability. 

The Importance of AI in Achieving Compliance

One of the biggest challenges for businesses is resistance to AI. Shaw notes, “Many still prefer to report on their own work, resisting AI, but this mindset needs to shift for real progress.” AI-driven compliance tools, allow businesses to automate the detection of issues, reduce human error, and create a continuous improvement process that ensures ongoing compliance with the EAA. By integrating Human-AI augmentation, businesses can create an efficient, scalable model for long-term compliance, reducing both costs and time. This approach not only helps digital leaders meet regulatory demands but also improves the overall digital experience and usability. Shaw advocates for businesses to adopt AI-driven solutions and risk-managed approaches that streamline the compliance process, reduce costs, and ensure ongoing compliance beyond initial audits. AAAtraq’s Human-AI augmentation offers a pragmatic, cost-effective solution that significantly reduces both compliance time and expenses.

Preparing for the Future: Embracing AI for Compliance

The European Accessibility Act represents a critical juncture for businesses, particularly those trading in the EU. While many organizations are not yet prepared, the time to act is now. By adopting AI-driven solutions and embracing continuous compliance models, businesses can not only meet the EAA’s requirements but also enhance their digital services, reduce costs, and expand their reach.

For more information, read Mark Chillingworth’s full article at https://diginomica.com/eu-act-demands-cio-response-digital-accessibility and check your website’s accessibility for free at www.AAAtraq.com/check