Amsterdam. The place to be for canals, art, nightlife… and the IBC, of course.
That is where our very own Head of VoiceBox, Sophie Muller and Multimedia and Accessibility Specialist, Ffion Jenkins, will be later this week at the RAI meeting many friendly faces.
And despite the deadline for the European Accessibility Act (EAA) – a topic we’ve covered a lot – passing on June 28, we have still had enquiries about it first-hand.
So, we thought it would be useful to collate some questions that attendees at the broadcasting and media tech show may want to know.
Does the EAA impact me and my business?
This depends on a few things, including:
- How big your business is
- Its turnover
- And where you are based
Let me explain.
It applies to businesses that trade in the EU and any business with 10 or more staff and a turnover of more than €2 million. It mainly concerns businesses in the private sector.
For example, if a company is headquartered outside the EU and doesn’t sell in the EU, then it doesn’t impact them.
However, if they sell relevant goods or services within the EU, they have to comply.
How does the EAA impact broadcasting and media tech?
The EAA spans both in-person accessibility (ticketing machines, ATMs and more), as well as media accessibility.
For broadcasters, you must meet minimum accessibility requirements. This includes:
- Providing closed captions and subtitles: Your content must offer closed captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. Subtitles must be available across live, recorded and streamed broadcasts.
- Using audio descriptions: These should be featured where possible.
As for media tech companies, this is what they need to know:
- Offer accessible user interfaces: Media players and devices like set-top boxes need to have easy-to-navigate controls that are compatible with screen readers and other assistive tech.
- Be compatible with assistive technology: Websites and apps for media services must support assistive technologies, such as screen readers and alternative navigation methods.
- Facilitate keyboard navigation: All content, platforms and apps should allow keyboard-centric navigation so users aren’t dependent on a mouse/touchscreen.
What can broadcasters and media do to ensure compliance with the EAA?
Audit the current offering
Broadcasters and media tech companies should look at its current offerings.
Are audio descriptions, closed captions and subtitles part of your accessibility repertoire?
Can those with accessibility needs, such as screen readers, easily navigate your user interface or technologies?
For more specifics on what your business needs to do, take a look at the annexes of the EAA. Countries may offer more details in their roll-out.
So, when you’re showing how you comply with the EAA, you’ll not only have to ‘do’ it but also describe how you’re meeting the annex requirements.
Seek further clarity
Get further clarification from the experts.
There are media accessibility experts, like ourselves, who can provide expertise in that setting.
But please note that we’re not legal experts, and therefore we recommend seeking advice from them too to ensure you’re aware of any exemptions or adjustments and you’re fully complying with the relevant details in your country.
We appreciate there may be a slight lack of detail there, but getting legal advice ensures that you are in the know.
Conclusion
Amsterdam is home to many things, and we are delighted to say that one of them is the IBC. Our team can’t wait to meet so many professionals at the event, and we hope that you’ve found this guide useful if the EAA impacts you.
Book a free accessibility consultation today and get expert advice on complying with the EAA.