New regulations in the EU and USA

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) came into force on June 28, 2025. It establishes common accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the EU to ensure they can be accessed by people with disabilities.

Similarly in the USA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act has been amended to align with international standards (such as WCAG) and requires federal agencies to provide accessible electronic information and technology to their employees and members of the public.

These regulations have significant implications for businesses operating online or providing digital products and services. They require companies to ensure that their websites, apps, documents, and multimedia content are designed in a way that is perceivable, operable, understandable and robust enough so that it can be used by as many people as possible regardless of disability.

This means that all information must be provided using accessible formats, all functionality must be available via keyboard commands or assistive technology, all elements must have sufficient contrast, font sizes must be adjustable, and more. Non-compliance with these accessibility standards can result in lawsuits, fines and reputational damage for companies.

Stormfors Services specializes in helping businesses comply with the complex requirements of digital accessibility while ensuring that accessibility is seamlessly integrated into the overall user experience design. Their expertise covers both technical aspects (like alt text, ARIA roles, etc.) as well as user-centered design to ensure that accessibility features are intuitive and functional for all users.

So in summary, these new regulations are a major shift in requirements for digital products and services. Businesses need to be aware of the specific standards they must adhere to based on their industry, location and audience. Partnering with experts like Stormfors can help navigate this complex landscape while ensuring that accessibility is built into all aspects of the user experience.

‍Why Accessibility—and Why Now?

People use the web in very different ways. Some rely on screen readers. Others can’t use a mouse. Some need high contrast, resizable text, or motion-free environments. Accessibility means designing your site, app, or platform so that everyone can use it, regardless of ability.

That’s the idea behind WCAG. And with the new legal push, it’s not just best practice—it’s business-critical.

“Perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.”

 That’s the standard. Sounds technical, but in practice it means:

 Don’t leave people behind.

What’s New in the Regulations?

Here’s what the new accessibility laws mean for your digital touchpoints:

• EU: The European Accessibility Act sets shared rules across member states for digital products and services—including websites, apps, e-commerce, and documents.
• US: Section 508 now mandates that federal agencies (and many of their partners) meet accessibility standards like WCAG.

This includes:

• Making all content available in accessible formats
• Ensuring keyboard and assistive tech compatibility
• Designing with enough contrast and resizable text
• Proper use of alt text, ARIA roles, and semantic HTML

If you're not compliant? You could face lawsuits, penalties, and long-term brand damage. Accessibility is now as much about reputation as it is about regulation.

What We Learned From Making Our Site Compliant

At Stormfors, we believe accessibility should be baked into every user experience—not bolted on at the end. When we updated our own site for WCAG 2.1 compliance, it gave us some solid insights.

1. It’s not “just a dev thing”

Accessibility cuts across design, content, and front-end. You need a team that can collaborate across disciplines.

2. Prioritize by impact

Some changes make a bigger difference than others. We started with user pain points and data to guide what to tackle first.

3. You can still look good

Accessible design isn’t boring design. We kept our minimal, modern aesthetic intact—just made it smarter and more inclusive.

4. It’s ongoing

This isn’t a one-time fix. Standards evolve. So do platforms. Like performance or SEO, accessibility is something we now check regularly.

Accessibility as a Competitive Edge

This is about more than risk. It’s about reach. Businesses that lead on accessibility:

• Expand their potential audience
• Boost usability for everyone (not just those with disabilities)
• Improve SEO and performance
• Show that they actually care—about real people

At Stormfors, we see accessibility as a pillar of brand strength. It aligns with how we build platforms that scale, how we guide partners through complex integrations, and how we help companies position themselves for the long run.

It’s also why accessibility considerations are quietly built into tools like our Project Brief Generator. Because good questions lead to inclusive outcomes.

Navigating the Complexity

Let’s be honest—regulations like the EAA or Section 508 can be a bit of a maze. That’s where we come in.

Stormfors Services helps businesses translate legal requirements into great digital experiences. We handle the technical side (alt text, ARIA, keyboard logic), but also the human side—ensuring accessibility feels natural, not like an add-on.

Whether you’re working with a legacy site or designing something brand new, we help you:

• Understand which standards apply to you
• Build or retrofit with accessibility in mind
• Balance form, function, and compliance

TL;DR?

Accessibility is no longer just a nice-to-have.

 It’s the law. It’s smart. And it’s a reflection of your brand values.

If you’re unsure where to start—or just want a second opinion on your current setup—we’re here. No jargon. No judgment. Just clear guidance from people who’ve walked the walk.