Accessibility (WCAG) Is Law in 2026, Not a Choice
EU directives require accessibility. It’s not only for the visually impaired — it improves UX for everyone and boosts SEO.
The European Accessibility Act is in force. That means ecommerce, banks and public services must be accessible to everyone. But forget the law for a moment — let’s talk money. Accessibility opens your business to 15% of the population you were ignoring.
What is accessibility, really?
It’s not only a blind person using a screen reader.
- Motor: A person who broke their arm and uses only the keyboard.
- Cognitive: An older person who needs larger text and clearer navigation.
- Visual: Someone using their phone in bright sunlight (low contrast is the problem).
Keyboard navigation
Do a test: put your mouse aside. Can you complete a purchase using only TAB and ENTER?
If the focus ring (the box showing which element is active) is hidden or jumps randomly, your site is broken. In 2026, “focus state” is a design requirement, not the browser’s default blue outline.
SEO secret:
Google is a blind user. Its bots “read” pages the same way screen readers do. If your site is accessible (proper headings, image descriptions), it’s automatically better optimized for search.
Alt text: more than “image”
Alt text isn’t a place for keyword spam. It should describe the image.
❌ Bad: “cheap red sneakers buy tallinn”
✅ Good: “Nike Air Max red running shoes on a white background, side view.”
FAQ: Accessibility
Will it make my site ugly? +
The opposite. Accessible design is clean, clear and logical. Top designers know that constraints (like contrast requirements) drive innovation.
How expensive is an audit? +
It’s an investment. Fines for accessibility violations can reach thousands of euros, not to mention lost customers.
Does your site meet the requirements?
We run a WCAG 2.2 audit and bring your site in line with EU standards. Don’t risk fines.
Request an audit quote →Related guide
Website Development 2026: Complete Guide →SIA DESIGN
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