ADA vs EU Accessibility: Same Goal, Different Game Board
ADA vs EAA
Your website looks great. It loads fast, converts well, and has that premium feel your dev team loves to show off. But can everyone actually use it?
For eCommerce brands, accessibility is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it’s a legal, financial, and reputational tightrope. And whether you're selling in the States or the EU, that tightrope is getting a lot more taut.
In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been the go-to framework, even if it was written long before mobile-first design was a thing. Over in the EU, things are getting more specific with the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which comes into full force in June 2025.
Beyond just legal side quests, these acts are shaping the future of eCommerce UX.
The US: ADA and the Risk of a Lawsuit
The ADA doesn’t specifically mention websites. But over the years, US courts have treated digital spaces like physical ones, if your website acts like a store, it needs to be accessible like one.
That means: screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, contrast ratios, alt text, and clear structure. In other words, WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliance.
If you're not compliant, you’re exposed. Thousands of lawsuits have already hit brands large and small, many targeting checkout pages or crucial flows hidden behind flashy design. And since the ADA is enforced via civil litigation, it's not just a slap on the wrist; it's legal fees, settlements, and reputational damage.
The EU: A Law with Teeth (and a Deadline)
The European Accessibility Act is a bit clearer. It outlines exactly what needs to be accessible, including websites, apps, customer service, and payment flows.
And it doesn’t care where you’re based. If you sell to EU customers, this law applies to you. The deadline? June 28, 2025. After that, countries across the EU will start enforcing it their own way, fines, audits, the lot.
It’s worth noting there is an exemption for microenterprises, defined as businesses with fewer than 10 employees and less than €2 million in annual turnover. But everyone else? No wiggle room.
Unlike the ADA, the EAA doesn’t leave room for interpretation. It’s less about someone taking you to court and more about regulators holding you to account.
Same Mission, Different Methods
ADA and the EAA are two sides of the same coin: digital inclusion. But how they get there is where things split. The ADA is vague but dangerous. It relies on interpretation, and brands often only act after a lawsuit lands in their inbox.
The EAA is prescriptive and proactive. You know what you need to fix, and when. That makes it harder to ignore, but easier to plan for.
If you're a global brand, congrats: you get to navigate both.
At a Glance: ADA vs EAA
So What Should You Actually Do?
Don’t wait for legal trouble or 2025 to roll around. Start with an accessibility audit that doesn’t just skim the homepage. Check the full user journey. Can someone using a screen reader get from product discovery to post-purchase support without friction?
Make accessibility part of your design and dev process, not a bolt-on after QA.
And remember: third-party apps, plug-ins, and embedded content are part of the equation. If your live chat doesn’t work with a keyboard, that’s your problem, not the apps'.
Beyond Compliance: Accessibility as an Advantage
This isn’t just about avoiding fines. Accessibility is good UX. It leads to better navigation, smoother experiences, and happier customers.
And let's be blunt: it's cheaper to build it in than fix it later. Plus, you’ll sleep better knowing your store works for everyone.
The rules are changing. But the brands who lean in now will come out ahead, more inclusive, more resilient, and more future-ready.
The others? They’ll be too busy talking to their lawyers.
