Accessible web design: what the new law means for companies
From June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) applies – and many companies in Austria are affected. What accessible web design means, who needs to act, and how to make your website in Linz legally compliant and easier to use at the same time.
Web accessibility means that websites can be used by everyone – regardless of physical or cognitive impairments. That sounds like a social issue. But it has also become a legal, an economic, and an SEO issue.
The European Accessibility Act: what applies from June 2025?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is an EU directive that had to be transposed into national law by June 2025. In Austria, this is the Accessibility Act (BaFG). It affects companies offering digital products and services, including websites, apps, and online shops – above a certain size.
Who is affected? In principle, all companies with more than 10 employees or an annual turnover of more than 2 million euros that offer digital services to consumers. There are exemptions for micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in turnover).
What does accessibility mean in concrete terms?
The technical requirements are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA. That sounds complex, but it can be broken down into concrete measures:
- Sufficient color contrast: Text must stand out clearly from the background (minimum ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text)
- Keyboard navigation: All functions must be operable without a mouse
- Alt texts for images: Images need descriptive alternative texts for screen readers
- Labeled form fields: Every input field needs a clearly assigned label
- Subtitles for videos: Videos with audio need subtitles or transcripts
- Readable font sizes: At least 14–16px for body text
Accessibility and SEO – a surprising connection
What is good for people with impairments is usually also good for Google. Alt texts help search engines understand images. A clear structure with a heading hierarchy improves readability for screen readers – and for Google’s crawlers. Fast load times and good keyboard navigation are Core Web Vitals factors.
In short: making your website accessible also improves your SEO. That's not a coincidence — it's system design.
How to approach the implementation
A complete accessibility audit of your website shows which requirements are already met and what's missing. Tools like WAVE (wave.webaim.org) or Google's Lighthouse (built into the Chrome browser) provide an initial overview. For legally sound implementation, we recommend working with an agency that knows WCAG 2.1.
MOREMEDIA® integrates accessibility standards into all new web design projects and offers audits for existing websites.
Frequently asked questions
Who is affected by the European Accessibility Act?
Companies with more than 10 employees or more than €2 million in annual revenue that offer digital products or services to consumers. Micro-enterprises are exempt but should still pay attention to accessibility.
What happens if I do not meet the accessibility requirements?
The Austrian Accessibility Act provides for complaint procedures and, in case of repeated violations, fines. Consumer organizations can file lawsuits. The risk increases with company size.
What is WCAG 2.1?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 are international standards for accessible websites. Level AA is the legally required minimum standard in the EU. They define concrete technical requirements for contrast, keyboard navigation, structure, and more.
Can I make my existing website accessible?
Yes, in most cases. An accessibility audit shows which adjustments are needed. Depending on the starting point, these are minor CSS changes or deeper structural adjustments.
Does accessibility also improve my SEO?
Yes — many accessibility measures have positive SEO effects: alt texts, a clear heading hierarchy, fast load times, and good structure help both screen readers and Google crawlers.
What does an accessibility audit cost?
A simple automated audit is often free (via WAVE or Lighthouse). A professional manual audit with implementation recommendations varies depending on the size and complexity of the website.
