Web accessibility becomes a legal obligation for the private sector from 28 June 2025 under the European Accessibility Act, which applies to e-commerce, banks and consumer-facing digital services. The reference standard is WCAG 2.1 level AA. Beyond compliance, accessibility opens a market of 100 million Europeans and improves UX and SEO for everyone.
Web accessibility is no longer a "nice to have" in software development. It has become a legal necessity, an ethical imperative and, above all, a business opportunity that many companies are still underestimating.
What web accessibility means
Web accessibility means designing sites and applications that can be used by people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive disabilities. According to ISTAT, in Italy around 3.1 million people have functional limitations — 5.2% of the population. A huge market often ignored.
Accessibility isn't only about permanent disability. Everyone benefits from accessible design: in noisy environments, with strong light on the screen, or when one hand is busy.
The regulatory framework: what the law says
Italy and Europe
In Italy, the Stanca Law (4/2004) and the CAD require public administrations to have accessible websites. EU Directive 2016/2102 extended these obligations, while from 2025 the European Accessibility Act will introduce requirements for the private sector too: e-commerce, banks, transport and digital services.
Real penalties
Fines can reach 100,000 euros for public administrations. In the private sector, there are already cases of legal action from users unable to access essential services.
WCAG 2.1 standards: the four principles
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines rest on:
Perceivable: text alternatives, sufficient contrast, text resizable up to 200%
Operable: keyboard navigation, adequate timing, no content that causes seizures
Understandable: readable text, predictable behaviour, error handling
Robust: compatibility with assistive technologies
The hidden business opportunity
Expanded market
Making software accessible means opening up to over 100 million Europeans with disabilities. Microsoft estimates a purchasing power of 490 billion dollars in the USA alone for this segment.
Benefits for everyone
An accessible site is generally easier to navigate, faster, more intuitive and more compatible across devices. This improves the experience for all users, increasing conversions and satisfaction.
Competitive advantage and SEO
Accessibility is still underestimated; those who invest today gain a competitive edge. Moreover, many accessibility practices overlap with SEO best practices: alt text, semantic HTML, clear content.
How to start: practical implementation
1. Initial audit
- Automated tools: WAVE, axe, Lighthouse
- Manual testing with screen readers
- Tests with real users
2. Prioritisation
- Critical issues: elements that completely block access
- Quick wins: easy to implement
- Most-used elements: maximum impact
3. Team training
Accessibility concerns everyone: developers, designers, content creators, project managers.
Costs vs benefits: the investment that pays back
Initial investment
- New projects: 1-3% of budget if considered from the start
- Retrofit: 5-15%, but can be implemented gradually
Measurable results
Companies that have invested in accessibility report:
- Web traffic increase: 15-30%
- Conversion improvement: 10-15%
- Positive ROI within 12-18 months
The Domino's vs. Target case
Domino's Pizza was sued by a blind user, with an unfavourable ruling that set a precedent. Target, after a similar lawsuit in 2006, invested heavily in accessibility, becoming an example of best practice and significantly improving its market share and reputation.
The future: AI and new technologies
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising accessibility with automatic alt text generation, audio transcription and translation into sign language. Augmented and Virtual Reality create new opportunities for assisted navigation and innovative interfaces.
With the European Accessibility Act in 2025 and growing social awareness, accessibility is no longer optional. Beyond legal obligations, it represents a real opportunity: new markets, better UX, SEO advantages and positioning as an innovative company.
At Redergo, accessibility is an integral part of our development process. We believe that good software isn't just software that works, but software that works for everyone.
Web accessibility isn't just an obligation or a responsibility: it's an investment in the future of your business and in creating a more inclusive web.
