Did you know that over 87 million people in the European Union live with some form of disability? That’s nearly 1 in 5 EU citizens who rely on accessible content to participate fully in society. Yet, studies show that over 70% of PDFs and documents shared online are not accessible, and 80% of video content lacks proper captions or transcripts.
With the European Accessibility Act (EAA) coming into force in June 2025, this reality is about to change. The EAA sets legal requirements for digital accessibility, extending beyond websites and apps to include PDFs, office documents, and video content. For businesses that publish or distribute digital information in the EU, this is a critical area of compliance.
Let’s explore what the EAA requires and how accessibility testing companies in India are helping global organizations bridge the compliance gap efficiently.
Why Accessible Content Is Non-Negotiable
Accessibility has moved beyond best practices—it’s now a legal mandate. Every piece of digital content—whether it’s a brochure in PDF format, a product demo video, or a downloadable report—must be perceivable and usable by everyone, including people with visual, hearing, cognitive, or motor impairments.
Non-compliance could lead to legal penalties, reputational harm, and lost opportunities to serve a diverse user base.
1. Accessible PDFs: Making the Most Popular Document Format Inclusive
PDFs are ubiquitous in business communications. But unless properly structured, they can become digital barriers for people using screen readers or other assistive tools.
EAA Compliance for PDFs Requires:
- Tagged content for structure (headings, lists, tables)
- Logical reading order
- Descriptive alt text for images and graphics
- Searchable text using OCR for scanned files
- High contrast and color-independent cues
According to WebAIM, more than 90% of PDF accessibility errors stem from missing tags and improper reading order. Accessibility testing companies in India offer PDF remediation services using tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, PAC 3, and manual validation to ensure full compliance with PDF/UA and WCAG 2.1 standards.
2. Accessible Videos: Compliance for the Modern Content Era
With video content consumption at an all-time high—80% of global internet traffic is video—ensuring multimedia accessibility is crucial.
EAA-Compliant Video Features Include:
- Captions and subtitles synced with spoken content
- Audio descriptions for visual-only information
- Transcripts for all dialogues and sounds
- Accessible media players that allow full keyboard control and work seamlessly with screen reading tools.
Accessibility testing vendors help audit video content for compliance, test player functionality, and assist in creating transcripts and audio description tracks.
3. Accessible Office Documents: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Documents used for proposals, reports, product manuals, or training must be structured for assistive technologies.
Key Accessibility Requirements:
- Use of built-in heading styles and proper formatting
- Alt text for images and charts
- Descriptive hyperlinks (e.g., “Download the report” instead of “Click here”)
- Proper table structure with headers
- Defined document language for accurate screen reader pronunciation
Inaccessible documents create friction for employees and customers alike. Accessibility testing companies provide document remediation services, transforming inaccessible office files into fully compliant versions using tools like Microsoft Accessibility Checker, CommonLook Office, and manual remediation.
How Accessibility Testing Companies in India Add Value
India is fast becoming a preferred destination for global accessibility compliance, especially for document and multimedia remediation.
Their Key Strengths Include:
- Cost-effective and scalable services
- Teams trained in WCAG 2.1, Section 508, and PDF/UA standards
- Multilingual remediation support for EU markets
- Comprehensive manual + automated testing for accuracy
- Evaluating using actual assistive tools such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack
From bulk document remediation to video audits and accessibility QA, Indian vendors enable EU-focused businesses to meet tight deadlines and maintain compliance at scale.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Inability to comply with EAA regulations can result in:
- Hefty fines under national enforcement laws
- Product bans in EU markets
- Reputation damage due to public non-compliance disclosures
- Legal action from disability rights groups
By contrast, accessible content opens doors to a wider audience, improves SEO, enhances user engagement, and future proofs your digital strategy.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 EAA deadline goes beyond being just a regulatory milestone—it serves as a crucial call to action for businesses to create truly inclusive digital environments. PDFs, videos, and office documents are integral parts of your customer journey. Making them accessible isn’t just about compliance—it’s about responsibility, reach, and respect.
By partnering with accessibility testing companies in India, businesses gain access to specialized expertise, scalable services, and global compliance support—helping you meet EAA standards without compromising quality or timelines.
