What is changing as of June 28, 2025?
What is WCAG 2.1?
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 is a set of international guidelines developed by the W3C to make websites more accessible to various user groups, including people with disabilities. Version 2.1 expands on previous standards, taking into account the needs of mobile users, people with cognitive limitations, and the blind and visually impaired.
New regulations as of June 28, 2025.
The introduction of new regulations under the European Accessibility Act (EAA) means that certain entities will be required to implement WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards. The new requirements will include:
- Public institutions,
- Companies that provide critical services to society, such as banks, e-commerce, telecommunications and transportation,
- Companies with more than 10 employees and an annual turnover of more than €2 million, according to the definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in sanctions, including financial penalties and restrictions on access to the EU market.
WCAG 2.1 principles
The WCAG 2.1 standards are based on four key principles:
1. Perceived
Users should be able to receive content in different forms, such as:
- Increased contrast between text and background,
- Ability to change font size without losing site functionality,
- Alternative descriptions for images and videos.
2 Functionality
The site should be accessible to people using different navigation methods, such as:
- Keyboard operation,
- Enabling navigation for the blind,
- Avoiding elements that may impede the use of the site, such as moving elements without the ability to stop.
3. Comprehensibility
Content should be written in a simple and predictable manner, covering:
- Clear and logical content structures,
- Easy-to-understand messages and forms,
- Avoid complicated technical jargon.
4. Reliability
The site should be technically compatible with various browsers and assistive devices, which means:
- Correct use of HTML tags,
- Works with screen readers,
- Can be operated on different systems and browsers.
You can check your site’s accessibility compliance with a free tool such as Google Page Speed.
How to implement WCAG 2.1 on a website?
Adapting the site to the new requirements can include various activities, such as:
- Analyze the site to meet WCAG 2.1 standards,
- Implementation of accessibility support features (e.g., font magnification, keyboard support),
- User testing with various limitations,
- Implement automated tools to improve accessibility.
One solution that can help you customize your site is an accessibility widget, which allows users to customize the look and functionality of your site.
Test cursor resizing to make the site easier to use for people with visual impairments:
or enable an accessibility profile for epileptics that disables animations on the page and lowers color saturation:
You can check out more options in the accessibility widget:
Why implement accessibility now?
In addition to legal obligations, making a site WCAG 2.1 compliant brings a number of benefits:
-
- Better usability – the site becomes more intuitive for all users,
- Greater outreach – accessibility increases the number of potential customers, including the elderly and those with disabilities,
- Improved SEO – search engines better index sites that meet accessibility standards,
- Avoiding penalties – compliance with the new regulations prevents possible sanctions.
Bringing the site into compliance with WCAG 2.1 is a step toward a more accessible and functional Internet.
Making changes now will avoid problems in the future and ensure compliance with upcoming regulations.
