Accessibility Glossary

JavaScript widgets that claim to fix accessibility automatically. They don't — pages with overlays have more errors, not fewer. 25% of ADA lawsuits in 2024 involved overlay widgets. The FTC fined one provider $1M in 2025 for misleading claims.

US: ADA applies to private sector (case law, 4000+ lawsuits in 2024). Section 508 applies to federal agencies and contractors. Both align to WCAG 2.1 AA. DOJ Title II rule requires compliance by April 2026.

The procedure used to demonstrate that a product meets the EAA accessibility requirements. For products covered by the EAA, this is internal production control (Module A — Annex IV of the directive): the manufacturer compiles a technical file, performs the assessment themselves, draws up the EU Declaration of Conformity, and affixes the CE marking.

The body each EU Member State names to receive complaints, monitor compliance, and where applicable impose sanctions under the EAA. Some Member States designate a single accessibility authority; others split responsibility between sectoral regulators (e.g., banking, transport, telecoms).

An EAA exemption a service provider can invoke if conformance would impose a disproportionate burden. Not a blanket opt-out: requires a written, documented assessment weighing cost, organisation size, and benefit to users with disabilities. Reviewed and renewed at least every 3 years.

Sanctions for EAA non-compliance are set by each Member State and must be 'effective, proportionate and dissuasive.' Penalty ceilings vary widely: Germany up to €100,000 per infringement under BFSG; Ireland up to €60,000 plus possible imprisonment; the Netherlands and France use periodic-penalty and administrative-fine regimes. Repeat or serious cases can trigger market-access restriction.

European standard for ICT accessibility requirements. Incorporates WCAG and extends to software, hardware, documentation, and support services. Referenced by the EAA and EU Web Accessibility Directive.

EU directive requiring accessible products and digital services since June 28, 2025. Applies to e-commerce, banking, transport, e-books, and more. Non-compliance carries market access risk.

An EAA exemption where meeting an accessibility requirement would require a fundamental alteration of the product or service — changing its basic nature. Narrower than disproportionate burden. Same documentation duty applies.

Technical standards adopted by a European Standards Organisation and referenced in the Official Journal of the EU. Conformance with a harmonised standard creates a 'presumption of conformity' with the corresponding EAA requirements. For ICT services, the operative standard is EN 301 549.

The EAA covers a defined list of consumer services: e-commerce (B2C); banking services for consumers; e-books and dedicated software; electronic communications services; access to audiovisual media services; passenger transport (web, apps, e-ticketing, terminals); and emergency communications to 112. Other digital services are outside the directive's scope.

The national authority each EU Member State designates to enforce the EAA against products. Powers include requesting documentation, inspecting services, ordering corrective action, restricting market access, and imposing penalties. For services, Member States designate a separate authority responsible for service compliance.

Each EU Member State must transpose the EAA into national law. Operators comply with the national transposition, not the directive directly. Penalties, exemption procedures, and (in some cases) the scope of covered services vary between Member States.

Microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees AND annual turnover or balance sheet ≤ €2M) that provide services are exempt from the EAA's accessibility requirements. The exemption does NOT extend to microenterprises that place products on the market — those must still comply.

If a product or service conforms to a harmonised standard whose reference is published in the Official Journal of the EU, it is *presumed* to conform to the EAA requirements that standard covers. Conforming to EN 301 549 (where referenced) creates this presumption for ICT.

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template: standardized format for documenting a product's accessibility conformance. Produces an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR). Required for US government procurement.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: 4 principles, 13 guidelines, 86 success criteria at Levels A/AA/AAA. Level AA is the legal standard worldwide. 2.2 adds 9 new criteria for mobile, cognitive, and focus.

Next-generation accessibility guidelines in early draft. Major restructuring: outcome-based testing, severity scoring, broader scope (apps, documents, XR). Years from W3C Recommendation. Don't wait for it — implement WCAG 2.2 now.

EU Directive 2016/2102 — the WAD. Requires public-sector body websites and mobile apps to meet EN 301 549 (which embeds WCAG 2.1 AA). Distinct from the EAA, which targets private-sector products and services. Some operators fall under both regimes.