August 19, 2024

Universal Design and the European Accessibility Act

As my family's unofficial IT helpdesk, I'm used to regularly assisting with technical issues. But it's my blind friend who really made me realize how big the impact of inaccessible technology can be. 

Although he is technically very skilled, he regularly encounters barriers that hold him back, simply because a website is poorly built or a service is not suitable for people with visual impairments. It frustrates me to see that something that comes naturally to me – like using a website – can be a challenge for him.

I recently heard an old episode of the podcast 99% Invisible that talked about the benefits of universal design. The episode, titled “Curb Cuts”, explains how seemingly simple modifications, such as wheelchair ramps, benefit not only wheelchair users, but also people with strollers, shopping bags, and even those with temporary injuries. This idea of ​​universal design – that you don't just think about specific groups, but about everyone – really touched me again and emphasized the need to look beyond just inclusive solutions.

More and more companies are becoming aware of accessibility, especially now that the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming. But many organizations struggle to actually do something with this. A major problem is that many website owners do not really know who their users are. Even if they did know, they could still be bothered survivorship bias – ignoring the needs of people who experience problems because they only focus on the experiences of the people who use their site without problems. You can read more about this at this explanation about survivorship bias.

The biggest challenge seems to be to think beyond just meeting the minimum legal requirements, and really think about how technology can be made useful for everyone.”

At TwelveBricks we really believe in universal design. This means that with every project we try to create solutions that work for as many people as possible, regardless of their background, age, or limitations. We apply this approach in our own work and are proud that our website has achieved a perfect score of 100% on accessibility criteria according to Google Web.dev. View the full analysis here.

Universal design is not just about avoiding complaints or complying with legislation. It's about creating technology that can be used by everyone. When we design technology that is accessible to everyone, we make people's lives easier and more enjoyable. It's great to see how something as simple as a well-designed website can really make a difference in someone's life.

For me, it's all about responsibility. We have an opportunity to make a positive impact by taking accessibility seriously. The upcoming European Accessibility Act makes this more urgent than ever. But I hope we go beyond just complying with the law – that we truly strive for a world where technology is accessible to everyone. If you agree with this and you want a website that is fast, good for your customers and compliant with legislation, then pleasecontacton with us..