When I was first drafting this post, the European Accessibility Act was still on the something businesses were preparing for list.
Fast forward to today, with Christmas only weeks away and we’re already five months in. The rules officially in force since 28 June 2025.
For many Irish businesses, especially those selling products or services online, the question has changed. It’s no longer “What’s coming?” but “Are we actually compliant yet?”
At Ballymore Web Works, I’ve been helping clients adjust to the new requirements, understand what’s expected, and make practical progress. So here’s an updated, plain-English look at where things stand now and what you should be doing next
Quick Recap: What the Act Is All About
The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) was introduced to make digital products and services more inclusive and usable for all people, including those with disabilities. Nothing wrong with that.
It applies to:
- E-commerce websites
- Mobile apps
- Ticketing and self-service terminals
- Online banking
- E-books and media players
If you sell online or offer digital services, there’s a good chance the Act affects you. Either directly or through third-party tools your business uses.
Five Months On: What “Accessible” Really Means in Practice
Now that the rules are active, “accessibility” has moved from a nice-to-have to an essential part of modern web design.
In practical terms, an accessible website should:
- Work with screen readers and assistive technology
- Use strong colour contrast and readable fonts
- Include descriptive alt text on images
- Be navigable using only a keyboard
- Have logical heading structures and clean code
- Avoid flashing elements or unnecessarily complex forms
These are all based on the WCAG 2.1 AA standards, which remain the benchmark for compliance.
Why Accessibility Still Matters (and Even More Now)
1. Compliance expectations are increasing
While enforcement is gradual, the expectation for businesses to demonstrate accessibility improvements is growing.
2. Better websites drive better results
Accessible websites tend to be faster, clearer and more user-friendly — which increases conversions and reduces bounce rates. In short, apart from anything else, it makes business sense to have an accessible website.
3. SEO wins continue to stack up
Google consistently rewards sites with strong accessibility foundations: proper alt text, headings, fast loading, clean navigation.
4. You reach a much wider audience
Roughly 15% of people globally experience some form of disability. Many other people benefit from accessibility improvements — including older users and mobile visitors.
What Businesses Should Be Doing Now (Five Months Later)
Most small businesses don’t need a ground-up rebuild. Instead, they need to review, improve, and plan.
Here’s what I’m advising clients:
1. Book an accessibility review if you haven’t already
This highlights quick wins and any critical fixes still needed since the Act came into effect.
2. Prioritise updates with real impact
Things like alt text, colour contrast, form labels and heading structure can be updated quickly and cost-effectively.
3. Tackle bigger issues gradually
If the site needs template adjustments, navigation updates or code improvements, these can be phased over time.
4. Build accessibility into your ongoing site care
Just like security updates, accessibility should be something you maintain regularly.
At Ballymore Web Works, I offer:
- Accessibility audits with clear, actionable insights
- WCAG 2.1 AA updates tailored for small business websites
- Ongoing monthly maintenance
- Content support to make sure new updates stay compliant
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Small Businesses?
The European Accessibility Act coming into force wasn’t the finish line — it was the starting point.
Over the next year, accessibility expectations will continue to grow. Businesses in Ireland that get ahead now will avoid larger, more expensive fixes later.
The good news? Improving accessibility almost always improves your website as a whole — for users, for Google, and for your business.
If you’re unsure how your website measures up five months into the Act, I’m happy to take a look.
Get in touch for a free accessibility check or to chat through what’s needed.
Ballymore Web Works 