The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is new legislation that comes into effect on June 28, 2025. It requires businesses operating in the EU to make their digital services accessible to people with disabilities.

For event organisers, this primarily affects your websites, booking platforms, and digital services.

The numbers speak for themselves. According to the UK Department for Work & Pensions 16.1 million people in the UK live with a disability (that's 24% of the population). In the EU, around 101 million, or 27% of people over the age of 16 also live with a disability (2023). 

That equates to a large proportion of your potential audience who might struggle to access your events if your websites aren't accessible.

Does This Apply to Your Event Business?

You're Affected If:

• You organise events for attendees in EU countries
• Your website allows ticket sales or event bookings to EU residents
• You operate any digital services (websites, apps, booking systems) used by EU customers

You're Exempt If:

Your business is a microenterprise with:

• Fewer than 10 employees, AND
• Annual turnover under €2 million OR annual balance sheet under €2 million

Non-EU Event Organisers

If you're based outside of the UK but sell tickets or services to EU attendees, the EAA still applies to you.

While the UK isn't bound by EU law post-Brexit, many expect similar legislation to follow in the UK and similar legislation is already in place in other parts of the world. 

What Makes an Event Website Accessible?

The EAA follows Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, which focus on four key principles:

• Perceivable: All visual content needs text descriptions, videos require captions or transcripts, sufficient colour contrast between text and backgrounds, and colour alone cannot convey important information
• Operable: Users must be able to navigate and interact with all content using different methods (not just a mouse), with sufficient time to read and complete tasks
• Understandable: Content should be written in clear, simple language with consistent navigation and predictable functionality
• Robust: Your site must work reliably across different browsers and assistive devices

Potential Implications of Non-Compliance

We want to ensure you're aware that failure to meet EAA requirements may result in:

• Fines up to €500,000 (varies by EU country)
• Legal action from individuals who can't access your services
• Daily penalties for ongoing non-compliance
• Reputational damage in an industry built on relationships

Recommended Next Steps

The following is a list of steps we recommend you take. We've also written a more comprehensive guide which includes a full checklist.

• Conduct an audit of your current website content and user journey for potential accessibility barriers
• Review your brand colours and design elements to ensure sufficient contrast between text and backgrounds (particularly important for buttons, links, and key information)
• Verify that important information isn't conveyed through colour alone (consider adding text labels, icons, or patterns as well)
• Review all images, videos, and documents to ensure they have proper descriptions/captions
• Audit any PDFs, documents, or files hosted on your site (speaker bios, schedules, venue maps, terms & conditions) to ensure they're accessible or have accessible alternatives
• Test your booking and registration processes with different user scenarios in mind
• Review any third-party links or embedded content to understand their accessibility status
• Create and publish an Accessibility Statement that outlines your commitment to accessibility, current compliance status, and contact information for reporting issues - this must be easily findable from your main navigation or footer
• Establish a clear process for users to report accessibility issues
• Consider engaging professional accessibility consultation and content review services

View our Accessibility Guide for Event Websites

Important Compliance Reminders

• Third-Party Responsibility: Remember that you as the event organiser remain responsible for overall site compliance, even when individual components or services may not be fully accessible. Always have alternative methods available for users who encounter barriers.
   
• Ongoing Process: Implementing website accessibility is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time project. Start with the most critical areas—registration flows and key event information—then systematically improve other aspects of your site.
   
• User Testing: Consider conducting user testing with people who have disabilities to understand real-world challenges with your event website. Their insights are invaluable for creating truly accessible and inclusive experiences.

In Summary

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating better experiences for everyone.

Clear navigation helps busy attendees quickly find key information, strong colour contrast improves readability in bright venues, and well-structured content makes it easier for all users to engage with your event programme.

With the European Accessibility Act coming into effect in June 2025, accessible digital services will become a legal requirement—and a competitive edge.

Event organisers who take action now won’t just avoid penalties; they’ll also open their events to wider audiences and show genuine commitment to inclusivity and professionalism.

Even small changes, like adding alt text to images or improving form labels, can make a big difference. Start now and take a step toward more inclusive, user-friendly events.

Contact us today if you'd like more information or support with your website accessibility. 

 

---

This guide provides general accessibility recommendations and should not be considered legal advice. For specific compliance requirements under the European Accessibility Act, consult with legal professionals familiar with accessibility legislation in your jurisdiction.