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The European Accessibility Act (EAA) became enforceable on June 28, 2025. It applies to businesses that offer covered products or services to consumers within the European Union, regardless of where the business is headquartered. Covered sectors include e-commerce, banking, telecommunications, computers, smartphones, transportation, and audiovisual media services. Barriano helps organizations assess their accessibility obligations and achieve compliance with the EAA through audits, remediation, and ongoing accessibility support.
Penalties for non-compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) vary by EU Member State and may include fines, corrective actions, product withdrawals, or restrictions on providing services. Examples include fines of up to €90,000 in the Netherlands, €75,000–€300,000 per violation in France, €10,000–€100,000 per violation in Germany, and up to €60,000 in Ireland. Beyond financial penalties, organizations may also face legal action, reputational damage, and market access restrictions. Barriano helps businesses reduce compliance risks through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing accessibility monitoring.
EN 301 549 Draft Version 4.1.1 is the upcoming revision of the European digital accessibility standard. Expected to be published in 2026, it will incorporate WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements and provide updated guidance for accessible websites, mobile applications, software, and other ICT products and services. The revision is intended to better support compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Barriano helps organizations prepare for these updates through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing compliance support.
An EN 301 549 accessibility declaration of conformance is a document that explains how a product or service meets accessibility requirements. It typically identifies the accessibility standards followed, notes any known accessibility limitations, and provides a way for users to report accessibility issues or request alternative formats. Accessibility declarations are commonly required for organizations covered by the EU Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) and the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Barriano helps organizations prepare accessibility declarations and maintain ongoing compliance with EN 301 549 and related regulations.
The current version of EN 301 549 is Version 3.2.1, published in March 2021, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility requirements. Version 4.1.1, expected in 2026, is anticipated to incorporate WCAG 2.2 Level AA and further align the standard with the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Barriano helps organizations stay current with evolving accessibility standards through expert audits, remediation, and ongoing compliance support.
EN 301 549 applies to a wide range of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services, including websites, mobile applications, desktop software, smartphones, computers, electronic documents, telecommunications services, and self-service terminals such as kiosks and ticketing machines. Barriano helps organizations assess, remediate, and maintain accessibility across these digital products to support compliance with EN 301 549 and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the global standard for web accessibility developed by the W3C, while EN 301 549 is the European accessibility standard for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products and services. EN 301 549 incorporates WCAG requirements and adds additional accessibility criteria for areas such as hardware, software, mobile apps, telecommunications, and electronic documents. Barriano helps organizations comply with both WCAG and EN 301 549 through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing compliance support.
The best way to determine if your website is ADA compliant is through a combination of automated accessibility testing and expert manual audits. Automated tools can identify common issues, while manual testing verifies accessibility using assistive technologies and evaluates compliance with WCAG 2.2 guidelines. Regular audits and continuous monitoring help maintain compliance as your website evolves. Barriano provides comprehensive accessibility assessments, remediation guidance, and ongoing compliance support to help ensure your website remains accessible to all users.
A website that is not ADA compliant may face demand letters, lawsuits, legal settlements, and potential penalties. Non-compliance can also damage your brand reputation, limit your audience, and increase the cost of fixing accessibility issues after deployment. By making your website accessible, you improve the experience for all users while reducing legal and business risks. Barriano helps organizations achieve and maintain ADA compliance through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing monitoring.
ADA website accessibility lawsuits are increasing as more businesses provide services online and digital accessibility becomes essential for everyday activities. Greater public awareness, evolving legal interpretations, and increased use of assistive technologies have encouraged individuals to enforce their accessibility rights. As a result, organizations are expected to provide accessible digital experiences that align with WCAG and ADA requirements. Barriano helps businesses reduce legal risk through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing compliance support.
Yes. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not specifically mention websites, U.S. courts and the Department of Justice increasingly recognize websites and mobile applications as places that must be accessible to people with disabilities. Following WCAG 2.1 Level AA is widely accepted as the best practice for meeting ADA accessibility expectations. Barriano helps organizations identify accessibility issues, implement remediation, and maintain ongoing ADA compliance.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA are the recognized standard for ADA website accessibility. While ADA Title III does not explicitly specify technical requirements for websites, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) consistently references WCAG as the accepted benchmark for creating accessible digital experiences. Barriano helps organizations evaluate, remediate, and maintain websites that align with WCAG and ADA accessibility requirements.
Yes. Each EU Member State enforces the European Accessibility Act (EAA) independently through its own authorities. If your products or services are non-compliant in multiple EU countries, you could face enforcement actions and penalties in each jurisdiction. Barriano helps businesses identify accessibility issues early and maintain compliance across the EU, reducing the risk of regulatory action.
Start with an accessibility audit of your websites, mobile apps, digital documents, and other covered products or services against EN 301 549 and WCAG requirements. Identify accessibility gaps, prepare the required technical documentation and accessibility statements, and ensure ongoing compliance processes are in place. Non-EU manufacturers should also appoint an EU-based authorized representative where required. Barriano helps businesses assess, remediate, and maintain accessibility compliance with the European Accessibility Act.
Yes. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) relies on EN 301 549, its harmonized accessibility standard, which currently incorporates WCAG 2.1 Level AA. A future update to EN 301 549 v4.1.1 is expected to adopt WCAG 2.2, adding new accessibility requirements. EN 301 549 also includes additional provisions for hardware, mobile apps, documentation, and multimedia that extend beyond WCAG. Barriano helps organizations achieve compliance with both WCAG and EN 301 549 through accessibility audits, remediation, and ongoing compliance support.
Yes. While the European Accessibility Act (EAA) does not regulate businesses operating solely within the United States, it does apply to U.S. companies that sell covered products or services to customers in the EU. These organizations must comply with EAA requirements and, where applicable, appoint an EU-based authorized representative. Barriano helps U.S. businesses assess accessibility, remediate issues, and achieve compliance with EAA, WCAG, and EN 301 549 standards.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) supports Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals by promoting inclusion, equal access, and responsible governance. Accessibility strengthens the Social (S) pillar by improving access for people with disabilities and supports the Governance (G) pillar through structured compliance, documentation, and risk management. For organizations reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), EAA compliance can also demonstrate a measurable commitment to accessibility and social responsibility. Barriano helps organizations integrate accessibility into both their compliance and ESG strategies.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) improves access to products and services for the 87 million people with disabilities in the EU by requiring many businesses to meet accessibility standards. It also simplifies cross-border trade by harmonizing accessibility requirements across all 27 EU Member States. Barriano helps organizations achieve EAA compliance through accessibility testing, remediation, and ongoing compliance support.
Microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total below €2 million are exempt from the EAA’s service accessibility requirements (this exemption does not apply to products).
Organizations may also claim a disproportionate burden exemption under Article 14 if they can justify and document that compliance would impose an excessive burden. The assessment must follow Annex VI criteria and be reviewed at least every five years.
Barriano can help determine whether your organization qualifies for an exemption and support your EAA compliance strategy.
WCAG 2.2 builds on WCAG 2.1 by introducing additional success criteria that improve accessibility, particularly for users with cognitive disabilities, low vision, and those using mobile or touch-based devices. Websites that conform to WCAG 2.2 also satisfy the requirements of WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.0. Organizations are encouraged to adopt the latest version of WCAG to support current accessibility best practices and future compliance efforts.
No. WCAG and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are closely related but serve different purposes. WCAG provides internationally recognized technical guidelines for creating accessible digital experiences, while the ADA is a U.S. civil rights law that requires equal access for people with disabilities.
Although the ADA does not specify a particular technical standard, WCAG Level AA is widely recognized as the accepted benchmark for achieving digital accessibility and supporting ADA compliance.
Yes. The terms WCAG 2.2 conformance and WCAG 2.2 compliance are often used interchangeably. WCAG defines a set of accessibility guidelines and success criteria that organizations follow to create accessible digital experiences. Many accessibility laws and regulations reference WCAG as the recognized benchmark for evaluating digital accessibility, making conformance with WCAG an important step toward achieving compliance.
Achieving WCAG 2.2 compliance begins with a comprehensive accessibility audit to identify barriers affecting users with disabilities. Organizations should address issues such as keyboard accessibility, color contrast, alternative text, form labels, and semantic structure while ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies.
For long-term success, combine automated accessibility testing with manual reviews, continuous monitoring, and accessibility best practices throughout the design and development process. Partnering with experienced accessibility professionals and using trusted accessibility solutions can help streamline compliance and create a more inclusive digital experience.
While WCAG 2.2 Level AA is not universally mandated by law, it is widely recognized as the current best practice for digital accessibility. Many accessibility regulations and legal settlements reference WCAG Level AA as the benchmark for creating accessible websites and digital experiences.
Organizations can reduce legal risk, improve usability, and provide equal access by designing and maintaining websites that conform to WCAG 2.2 Level AA wherever practical.
Organizations should count all employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal staff, when determining workforce size for AODA compliance and reporting requirements. Independent contractors and volunteers are generally not included unless they are considered employees under applicable employment laws.
Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), an employee is generally an individual in an employer–employee relationship. Organizations should determine employee status based on applicable employment laws and the nature of the working relationship, including factors such as compensation, supervision, and the employer’s level of control over the work performed.
Organizations subject to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) may be required to submit periodic accessibility compliance reports based on their size and sector. Reporting schedules vary, so organizations should review the latest requirements from the Government of Ontario and ensure reports are submitted on time to maintain compliance.
In Ontario, AODA refers exclusively to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, which focuses on improving accessibility and removing barriers for people with disabilities. In some U.S. healthcare contexts, AODA may also stand for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, referring to substance use treatment and prevention programs. The two terms are unrelated and should be interpreted based on their context.
AODA stands for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, an Ontario law enacted in 2005 to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It requires organizations to identify, remove, and prevent accessibility barriers while establishing standards for customer service, employment, transportation, information and communications, and public spaces.
Yes. The Unruh Civil Rights Act includes limited exceptions for certain organizations and circumstances. However, most businesses that provide goods or services to the public are subject to the law. Organizations should review their specific legal obligations and seek professional guidance if they are uncertain about whether an exemption applies.
Start by conducting an accessibility audit based on WCAG Level AA standards. Address common issues such as missing alternative text, keyboard accessibility, color contrast, form labels, and navigation barriers. Regular accessibility testing, manual reviews, and compatibility testing with assistive technologies can help maintain compliance. Publishing an accessibility statement also demonstrates your commitment to providing an inclusive digital experience.
Yes. The Unruh Civil Rights Act prohibits businesses in California from discriminating based on protected characteristics, including gender. Businesses should provide equal pricing and access to goods and services for all customers to help ensure compliance with the law.
Addressing accessibility issues promptly after they are identified can help reduce legal risk and demonstrate a good-faith commitment to accessibility. Organizations should establish an ongoing accessibility program that includes regular testing, timely remediation, and continuous monitoring to maintain compliance and provide an inclusive user experience.
Failure to comply with the Unruh Civil Rights Act can expose businesses to legal claims, financial penalties, attorney’s fees, and other litigation-related costs. Organizations can help reduce these risks by adopting recognized accessibility standards, such as WCAG Level AA, and regularly evaluating the accessibility of their digital experiences.
Yes. California courts have generally interpreted the Unruh Civil Rights Act to apply to websites and mobile applications that provide goods or services to California residents. Organizations should ensure their digital experiences are accessible to people with disabilities by following recognized accessibility standards, such as WCAG Level AA, to help reduce legal risk and improve usability for all users.
The Unruh Civil Rights Act is a California law that prohibits discrimination by businesses and guarantees equal access to goods and services, including protections for individuals with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a U.S. federal law that provides nationwide protections against disability discrimination.
While both laws promote accessibility and equal access, the Unruh Act applies specifically in California and may provide additional legal protections and remedies beyond those available under the ADA. Organizations operating in California should consider compliance with both laws to help ensure accessible and inclusive experiences.
- Title I: Covers advanced communication services, including VoIP, electronic messaging, video communications, and video conferencing.
- Title II: Covers accessibility requirements for video programming, including closed captions, audio descriptions, and accessibility for television and online video platforms.
The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) is a U.S. federal law that requires advanced communication services and video programming to be accessible to people with disabilities. It covers communication technologies such as VoIP, messaging, and video conferencing, as well as accessibility features including closed captions and audio descriptions for video content.
CVAA stands for the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Enacted in 2010, it updated U.S. federal accessibility laws to address modern communication technologies, including broadband, digital, and mobile services. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees and enforces CVAA requirements for communication services and video programming.
There are no major updates to the Section 508 technical standards planned for 2026. However, organizations should stay informed about evolving accessibility regulations, including updated ADA and other federal accessibility requirements, to help maintain ongoing compliance and improve digital accessibility.
All electronic documents created, used, or maintained by U.S. federal agencies must be accessible under Section 508. This includes PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and other digital files.
Accessible documents should include proper heading structures, alternative text for images, accessible tables, and correctly tagged content to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies.
Section 508 applies specifically to U.S. federal agencies and their contractors, requiring accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies more broadly to state and local governments, public accommodations, and many private businesses.
While both promote digital accessibility, organizations often follow WCAG Level AA guidelines to help meet the accessibility requirements of both standards.
Yes. Section 508 establishes legal accessibility requirements for U.S. federal agencies. It requires agencies to ensure their electronic and information technology (ICT) is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities.
Section 508 compliance testing evaluates websites, applications, documents, and other digital content to ensure they meet accessibility requirements. It helps identify and resolve barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing information or services.
Effective testing typically combines automated accessibility scans, manual expert reviews, and testing with assistive technologies such as screen readers and keyboard-only navigation.
Yes. Section 508 requires electronic and information technology used by U.S. federal agencies to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes emails used for official government communications, as well as emails created by organizations and contractors working with federal agencies.
Accessibility is the broader practice of designing digital products and services that are usable by people with disabilities. Section 508 compliance refers specifically to the U.S. federal accessibility requirements that apply to federal agencies and their contractors. While Section 508 promotes accessibility, it also includes specific legal and technical standards that organizations must meet.
ATAG focuses on the accessibility of authoring tools, while WCAG focuses on the accessibility of the web content those tools produce. Together, they help organizations create accessible digital experiences from creation through publication.
ATAG is intended for developers of authoring tools, including CMS platforms, website builders, WYSIWYG editors, multimedia software, and applications that create or publish web content. Although ATAG is not a legal requirement, following its guidance helps organizations build more inclusive products.
Examples include automated alt text prompts, heading structure validation, built-in accessibility checkers, color contrast analysis, keyboard accessibility testing, caption editing tools, and semantic HTML recommendations. These features help authors identify and resolve accessibility issues before publishing.
While ATAG conformance is not legally required, CMS platforms such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Wix, and Squarespace benefit from following its guidance. Accessible authoring interfaces and built-in accessibility features help authors create content that aligns with WCAG and supports inclusive digital experiences.
Start by reviewing the guidance and compliance resources available from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you have specific questions about your organization’s obligations, you can contact the FTC through its official COPPA support channels for additional assistance.
For official guidance on COPPA, visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website. It provides comprehensive information on the law, enforcement, approved Safe Harbor programs, compliance resources, and educational materials to help organizations understand and meet COPPA requirements.
COPPA restricts behavioral advertising, retargeting, and user profiling on websites and online services directed at children under 13. Organizations cannot use personal information collected from children for targeted advertising purposes.
COPPA also allows approved Safe Harbor programs, which are self-regulatory frameworks developed by industry groups or organizations and approved by the FTC. These programs must provide privacy protections that meet or exceed COPPA requirements. Organizations participating in an approved Safe Harbor program are generally considered compliant with COPPA.
No. The script is async, deferred, under 14KB gzipped, and served from a global edge CDN. It has zero impact on Core Web Vitals.
Under two minutes. Copy one script tag into your site’s <head>, save, and the launcher appears on every page automatically.
The Widget fixes runtime issues for visitors; the Monitor finds structural issues in your code so your team can fix them at the source. Together they give you both immediate access and lasting compliance.
Yes. Every scan opens an interactive dashboard with severity counts, per-page drilldowns, code snippets, fix recommendations and a downloadable PDF/CSV report.
Run manual scans on demand whenever you like — no rate limits within your plan’s page allowance.
Every WCAG 2.2 Level A and AA rule that can be detected automatically: missing alt text, contrast ratios, ARIA misuse, heading structure, form labels, keyboard traps, focus order and more.
Any domain you own or have permission to scan. The Monitor is fully decoupled from the Widget — you can audit one domain or hundreds under a single plan.
If you don’t include digital accessibility measures in your website design, you may unintentionally prevent people with disabilities from accessing and using your site effectively. Creating an accessible website is not only the right thing to do, but it also helps provide a more inclusive experience for all users.
Accessibility can also benefit your brand by making your website available to a wider audience, improving user experience, and increasing engagement with potential customers. By making your site more accessible, you create opportunities to reach more users while supporting ADA and WCAG accessibility standards.
Barriano’s accessibility solutions can help improve your website’s usability and accessibility for all visitors.
Shopify is not ADA compliant by default. Shopify does not automatically review every website to ensure it meets ADA or WCAG requirements, and not all of Shopify’s default themes and features are fully accessible.
Shopify store owners and administrators are responsible for ensuring that their website’s content, page design, navigation, and functionality follow ADA and WCAG accessibility standards. This includes making the site usable for people with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive disabilities.
Using Barriano’s accessibility widget can help improve your Shopify store’s accessibility and support your efforts toward better ADA and WCAG compliance.
One of the easiest ways to make your Shopify store more accessible is by ensuring there is a high contrast between your background color and text color. For example, gray text on a white background can be difficult for people with low vision to read. A best practice is to use strong color contrast, such as black text on a white background, to improve readability across your website.
Next, it’s important to ensure your Shopify site is compatible with screen readers. Screen readers announce webpage content aloud for blind or visually impaired users. Making your website compatible with this commonly used technology helps visitors navigate your pages more easily and improves the overall accessibility of your site.
Installing Barriano’s accessibility widget can help make your website more accessible and support your efforts toward WCAG and ADA compliance.
If you need help uninstalling Barriano’s Shopify app, our support team will be happy to assist you. You can contact us directly through Shopify’s chat function.
If you’d like to uninstall Barriano’s Shopify widget yourself, follow these steps:
Step 1
On the left menu of your Shopify Admin page, select “Apps.”
Step 2
Search for “Barriano Website Accessibility” in the search section at the center of the page, then click “Delete.”
Step 3
We appreciate your feedback. To provide it, select one of the options from the dropdown menu, then click “Delete again.”
Yes — every paid plan starts with a 14-day free trial. No credit card required to get started.
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time from your dashboard, and we prorate the difference automatically.
No. Page quota resets at the start of each billing cycle and unused pages do not carry forward.
Each unique crawlable URL counts as one page. URLs that resolve to the same canonical address are deduplicated automatically.
No. Pages are fully flexible. You can scan as many domains as you want — just spend your monthly page quota however you like across them. There is no per-domain restriction on the Scanner.
Each top-level domain you activate the widget on counts as one domain slot. Subdomains (for example shop.example.com) are treated as separate domains.
The Plugin is a live accessibility widget your visitors interact with — it adds visual, navigation and reading tools to your site in real time. The Scanner is an automated audit tool that crawls your pages and flags WCAG issues for your team to fix. They solve different problems and work great together.
14 days free, no credit card required. Cancel any time.
We’re GDPR-friendly: no PII is collected and visitor preferences are stored locally in their browser.
Yes — colors, position, language, button shape, and which tools appear are all configurable.
No. The widget loads asynchronously and weighs less than 30KB gzipped.
Our tools are aligned with WCAG 2.2 success criteria. Full compliance depends on your site’s underlying structure and content.
Under a minute. Add one script tag to your site’sand the widget is live for every visitor.
