Accessible applications required: What does that mean for enterprise UX
May 22, 2025
Starting June 2025, digital accessibility will no longer be optional but mandatory. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires that all new digital products, from online stores to applications, be accessible to everyone. This is also important for organizations that primarily use internal tools.
What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?
The EAA makes accessibility mandatory for all digital services. This includes your website, webshop, or application. But what does 'accessible' actually mean? This is defined by the WCAG: international guidelines that help designers and developers make their products usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Why this is important for your organization
Accessibility isn't a bonus feature; it's essential. In the EU, over 27% of people over the age of 16 have a disability. That's 101 million people you do not want to exclude from your product or service.
The good news? Working according to the WCAG guidelines is quite manageable. It requires some adjustments in how you design and build. Consider:
keyboard navigation (not just mouse)
support for screen-reading software
smart use of color and sufficient contrast
accounting for customized browser settings
By considering these from the start, you make your product not just more accessible, but simply better.
What changes specifically for Enterprise UX?
And this directly affects UX. Even if it is less visible to consumers in Enterprise UX, employees are also part of the target group and need accessible software. The challenge is that an enterprise application is complex, with lots of interaction and customization. Experience in this area is crucial.
What do we notice at Okapion?
At Okapion, we already see this happening with our clients. Accessibility is increasingly included explicitly in the design phase. Rightly so. You don't want to find out after delivery that your entire product does not comply.
We observe:
More inquiries about WCAG and accessible design
Increased awareness but also much uncertainty: what exactly is mandatory?
What can we do for you?
We help organizations build future-proof, accessible digital products. We do this with:
UX design that considers accessibility from day one
Design systems with accessibility built-in
User research involving people with disabilities
Collaboration with developers for proper technical implementation
Checklist or need a quick chat?
June 28 is approaching fast. Want to know if you're ready? Download our checklist or schedule a quick consultation. Let's see together how prepared you are for the EAA.