Towards a More Inclusive Society

Digital accessibility is not a vision of the future – it’s happening now. Starting from June 2025, the regulations on accessibility will be expanded to include banking applications and e-commerce services. This means that a growing number of companies will have to meet specific accessibility standards, forcing software creators to make changes in the way they design and implement new applications and digital services. That’s why it’s essential to understand what digital accessibility really means and what benefits its implementation can bring.

Digital accessibility, also known as a11y (short for the English term accessibility), is a set of principles and best practices designed to enable people with various types of disabilities to use digital products. The goal is to ensure that individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments can fully and effectively use applications, websites, or systems.

Accessibility is not only a technical matter, but also a social and ethical one. In a world where technology has become the primary gateway to information, services, and employment opportunities, excluding any group of users is simply unacceptable. Digital technologies that fail to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities deepen social inequality and create barriers to everyday resources.

Although accessibility has gained wider attention only in recent years, it is not a new concept. The same principles have long been applied in the design of physical products such as public buildings or assistive devices for people with disabilities. In the digital space, accessibility is governed by the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 standards, which precisely define how to design websites and applications to make them accessible to the widest possible audience.

However, digital accessibility does not mean creating separate versions of applications or products for people with disabilities. Instead, it’s about adapting existing solutions to the needs of users who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers. An application doesn’t need dedicated features for these tools—it simply needs to be designed in a way that allows them to work effectively. This means focusing on simplicity, clarity, and standardization—principles that make digital products easier to use for everyone, regardless of their limitations.

Accessibility regulations originating from the European Union are defined by national legislation. Depending on the markets where services are offered, there may be small differences in definitions, obligations, or penalties. However, local regulations will require compliance with the WCAG 2.1 standard, which includes more than 70 criteria assessing accessibility and the quality of its implementation.

The new regulations expand the existing scope: not only public institutions but also retailers, e-commerce providers, and banking services must now meet accessibility standards. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) primarily focuses on business-to-consumer (B2C) interactions. When it comes to business-to-business (B2B) applications, there is no single, clear answer regarding compliance—but it is worth considering accessibility in a broader context.

The new regulations expand the existing scope: not only public institutions but also retailers, e-commerce providers, and banking services must now meet accessibility standards. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) primarily focuses on business-to-consumer (B2C) interactions. When it comes to business-to-business (B2B) applications, there is no single, clear answer regarding compliance—but it is worth considering accessibility in a broader context.

The key question is not if but when implementing accessibility will become mandatory. The EAA aims to make accessibility a standard, not an optional feature. Over time, accessibility regulations will cover more industries, and designing inaccessible products will become more challenging than creating accessible ones. A useful analogy is automotive safety standards: today, we expect seat belts as a standard feature, not an optional add-on. The same will soon apply to accessible applications. Introducing accessibility early reduces the cost of future modifications and improves overall service quality.

The question of cost arises frequently—but the answer is not straightforward. The cost can vary significantly depending on whether we’re building a new product or adapting an existing application.

It’s important to emphasize that accessibility is not an extra feature, but rather a matter of compliance and quality improvement. The cost depends on how far a product currently deviates from accessibility standards and on maintaining that level over time to avoid design mistakes. Each product should first be audited for accessibility, which helps determine the scope and scale of necessary improvements.

Accessibility is, in many ways, built into modern software development standards. Even without explicit knowledge of accessibility, by following best practices and HTML standards, developers can naturally create more accessible products. The main costs arise not from implementing accessibility, but from retrofitting it later. By considering accessibility from the start, companies can significantly reduce future expenses, ensure alignment with external standards, and ultimately deliver higher-quality services.

While accessibility implementation involves certain costs, it also delivers significant benefits. Applying unified and consistent accessibility guidelines ensures that all developers work with the same principles and understanding. This leads to a more efficient and consistent development process, better project management, and smoother communication across teams.

Moreover, accessibility standards can enhance the development of internal systems used by employees in their daily work. Ensuring these tools are accessible means that people with diverse needs or limitations can use them without barriers—fostering greater inclusivity within the organization.

Ultimately, aligning applications with accessibility standards increases their usability for everyone—both for people with disabilities and for users without them. Accessibility benefits all users.

Digital accessibility is becoming increasingly crucial in the context of technological growth and digital product development. Implementing accessibility principles from the very beginning of the design process brings multiple advantages—not only in terms of legal compliance, but also in service quality and user satisfaction.

As technology continues to permeate every aspect of life, accessibility should become a standard, not an additional requirement. Companies that start incorporating accessibility into their products now will gain a competitive advantage and contribute to building a more inclusive society.