Page 5 - Whitepaper: The European Accessibility Act and What it Means for the Global Publishing Industry

Straive | The European Accessibility Act and What it Means for the Global Publishing Industry 5

• Benefits of the EAA

Consistent accessibility standards throughout all EU member states will be advantageous for
businesses and governments, including:

Cost-effectiveness: Different accessibility standards cost businesses
and EU member states €20 billion in 2020, according to the EU
Commission. It is expected that the EAA will cut that by 45% to 50%.

A larger market reach: By allowing businesses that serve the EU to
develop a common set of accessibility rules that apply uniformly
throughout all member states, the EAA will expand its market reach.

Research and development: The EAA will increase the incentive for
businesses to make the accessibility of their products and services
more of a priority. Companies will be better able to share technology,
research, and discoveries that benefit everyone if accessibility criteria
are standardized.

With nearly half a trillion dollars in purchasing power, people with disabilities are increasingly
turning to online services such as online shopping, mobile apps, and other digital tools. This is
a strong business case on its own for the return on investment in digital accessibility. The EAA
seeks to provide people with disabilities with:

Greater Independence: People with disabilities will have greater and
better access to products and services, from banking to travel to
e-commerce, with the same level of accessibility regardless of where
they are in the EU.

Seamless cross-border movement: People with disabilities will be able
to travel and work in various member states thanks to the EAA's efforts to
standardize accessibility across the EU.

More employment opportunities: The EAA promotes employment
opportunities for individuals with disabilities in enterprises that produce
accessible goods and services.

Additionally, this positive impact extends further because any country wishing to conduct
business with the EU will be subject to the same accessibility requirements.