As of June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) is officially in effect, and this has important implications for law firms and professional service providers across the EU. If you are considering redesigning or updating your website, this is the time to make sure your digital presence is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.

Accessibility is no longer just a “nice to have.” It is now a legal requirement and an essential part of your firm’s reputation, client trust, and market reach.

Why Accessibility Matters for Law Firms and Professional Services

Your website is often the first point of contact for potential clients, partners, and regulators. An inaccessible website risks excluding people with disabilities, which can damage your reputation and create legal risk under the EAA.

From June 2025, all digital services offered within the EU should comply with accessibility standards. This means your website, client portals, and digital communications should be usable by everyone, regardless of ability.

What the Law Requires

The EAA refers to:

• WCAG 2.1 (Level AA) accessibility guidelines
• European Standard EN 301 549, which applies these guidelines to digital products and services

For law firms, this means your website should be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, including those using screen readers, keyboard navigation, or assistive devices.

Key Steps for Your Website Redevelopment

If you are planning a redesign or redevelopment, accessibility should be built in from the start.

1. Make Accessibility a Core Design Principle
   Accessibility should be part of your planning, wireframes, content strategy, and user experience from the beginning.
2. Use Clear, Plain Language
   Legal content can be complex, but your site should present it clearly. Use plain language where possible and provide simple instructions to help all users navigate your services.
3. Ensure Logical, Keyboard-Friendly Navigation
   Many users rely on keyboards or assistive technologies. Menus, forms, and interactive elements should work without a mouse, with clear focus indicators and logical tab order.
4. Support Multiple Input Methods
   Your site should work seamlessly with touchscreens, voice commands, and assistive devices. This flexibility improves usability for all clients.
5. Provide Clear, Helpful Error Messages
   When users encounter errors, such as in forms or portals, messages should explain the issue and how to fix it so users can correct mistakes easily.
6. Test with Real Users
   True accessibility goes beyond box-ticking. Test your site with people who have different disabilities to identify and remove barriers before launch.

How This Affects Your Website Development Process

The EAA means accessibility should be considered throughout the entire lifecycle of your website project:

• During planning and content creation
• Through design and development
• In ongoing maintenance and updates

This approach supports compliance and helps create a more inclusive, user-friendly experience that reflects your firm’s professionalism and care.

The Benefits Go Beyond Compliance

Accessible websites:

• Reach a wider audience, including clients with disabilities
• Strengthen your firm’s reputation for inclusivity and responsibility
• Improve usability for all visitors, including those on mobile devices
• Reduce legal risk and show commitment to EU law

Next Steps for Your Firm

If you are planning a redesign or redevelopment, now is the time to act. The European Accessibility Act is already in force, and your website should comply.

• Review your current site for accessibility gaps
• Involve your marketing, communications, and IT teams early
• Work with designers and developers who understand accessibility
• Include accessibility testing with diverse users in your project plan

At Konstructive, we help law firms and professional service providers create websites that are both accessible and engaging.
If you want your next redesign to meet EAA requirements and provide an inclusive experience for all clients, get in touch Contact us.

We can help you approach accessibility with confidence and care.