10 June 2025
What you need to know about the European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Jonny McAlister
Head of Customer Experience
Ensuring that everyone can access online learning is more than just a best practice – it’s soon to become the law. On June 28th 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) takes full effect, so if you build, buy or run a learning management system, you need to know what this means for you.
If your LMS operates in Europe or has EU users, here’s what you need to know about the legislation.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
You can think of the EAA – technically known as Directive (EU) 2019/882 – as the EU’s way of getting everyone on the same page regarding accessibility. While directives aren’t laws themselves (so you can’t technically ‘break’ the EAA), they provide member states with standards and specifications to pass laws that comply with them.
In other words, this means one standard with one goal: to make digital experiences accessible for everyone.
What does the EAA mean for online learning platforms?
While the EAA covers everything from ATMs and smartphones to banking and transportation, it’s important to note that it also applies to digital services too. Although the learning management system (LMS) isn’t called out by name, especially if your e-learning tools involve subscriptions or transactions.
If your platform hits the EU market after June 28th 2025, you’ll need a CE marking (which is essentially the EU’s seal of approval) to legally operate. Without CE, you’ll struggle to make a sale.
Beyond compliance, here’s why accessible learning matters:
Approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide experience significant disability, representing about 16% of the global population (WHO). This is over 135 million people in Europe alone.
Inclusive design is a methodology and getting it wrong could have devastating consequences on entire groups of people who can feel irritated, marginalised or entirely excluded (Microsoft).
It’s important to note that some people might need a little extra support to overcome barriers in learning and this is normal. But we also mustn’t fall into the trap of assuming that a disability or health condition limits someone’s ability to learn or thrive.
When we work to lift those barriers and build a culture that’s truly inclusive, people feel safe to speak up about what they need. This means they are more likely to get the right support so they can grow, learn and do their best work.
What does accessible learning look like?
The EAA ties closely to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, which focus on four core areas (the POUR principles):
Perceivable
Can users see or hear your learning content? Think about your alt text, transcripts, colour contrasts and screen reader compatibility.
Operable
Can users navigate even without a mouse? Keyboard access and clear focus states are key here. You’ll also want to ensure your content is designed to avoid flickering visuals that could cause seizures.
Understandable
Is your content clear and easy to read? Have you avoided using jargon unless defined? Are your fonts readable (e.g. sans-serif)? Check out this blog post for tips on simplifying complex learning content.
Robust
Does your learning platform play nicely with assistive technologies such as screen readers? Are you using proper HTML tags? You’ll need to make sure you have responsive design that works across different browsers and devices.
If your LMS or learning content doesn’t tick these boxes, there’s some work to do before the European Accessibility Act comes into force.
Ready to improve your LMS accessibility?
Book a discovery call with a member of our team to get started.
Get in touchThe benefits of accessible learning
While the EAA brings legal pressure, the fact remains that inclusive learning helps everyone.
Michael Osborne, CEO of Accessible Me, says in a recent Linkedin article: “Too often, our systems prioritise convenience over consideration. It’s easier to design one test than it is to design multiple paths to success. But easier for whom? Certainly not for those who are left behind, discouraged, or excluded entirely.”
When you build with accessibility from the start (‘by design’, because working in retrospect rarely works), not only will your learners benefit but you will, too:
- Users of your LMS will stay longer
- Learner outcomes improve as barriers are removed
- Your platform becomes future-proof
Microsoft is a great example of this, embedding accessibility into its products and services from the outset. Its Inclusive Design is “a methodology, born out of digital environments, that enables and draws on the full range of human diversity” (Microsoft). This approach has influenced the development of features such as Immersive Reader in Microsoft Word and OneNote, which assists users with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
What you can do to prepare for the European Accessibility Act
To prepare for EAA, here’s what you can (and should) be doing right now to get it right.
1. Audit your LMS and learning content
Start with a health check. You can use accessibility tools (e.g. WAVE, axe or Lighthouse) to identify where your learning platform and content may be missing the mark. Look out for issues like low colour contrast, missing alt text or content that can’t be navigated using a keyboard. Don’t just check your homepage – test real course modules, assessments and dashboards, too. After all, you can’t fix what you don’t know is broken. This audit will help you prioritise changes and avoid expensive reworks down the line.
2. Upgrade your tech stack
Are your current platforms doing enough when it comes to accessibility? If not, this is probably your sign to switch. Look for tools and LMS platforms that support WCAG 2.1 AA or higher. You’ll also want them to offer robust support for assistive technologies like screen readers, as well as built-in accessibility features like closed captions, keyboard controls and skip-to content links. Having the right software makes designing inclusive experiences easier, faster and future-ready.
3. Upskill your team
Everyone involved in the learning content lifecycle – from instructional designers, course creators, developers, marketers and platform administrators – should have a baseline understanding of inclusive design. Consider accessibility training sessions, checklists or playbooks you can build into your onboarding process. Remember, accessibility isn’t just the job of one person. When everyone knows the basics, accessibility becomes a natural part of your workflow and not just an afterthought.
4. Get ahead of the EAA deadline
Building accessible infrastructure takes time. Whether it’s uphauling your legacy content or upgrading tools, you’ll need this time to make changes thoughtfully, test thoroughly and document your progress.
Get started now
Once the European Accessibility Act is in full swing, learning platforms without CE certification won’t be able to operate in the EU. Start now to ensure a more confident, compliant and inclusive learning experience.
Book a meeting today.
