The European Accessibility Act – The PDF Reality from 2025 Onwards

The medical sector is becoming increasingly digital. Since 2023, electronic certificates of incapacity to work have become available. Furthermore, nearly all documents (e.g., health or long-term care insurance-related forms) are now available online. Often, membership applications themselves are also provided as PDFs.

Beyond health insurance, the number of online pharmacies has also grown. Additionally, most medication package inserts are now available online, frequently in PDF format. Have you ever looked up a side effect or checked the maximum daily dosage? Many of us have, at some point.

For people with physical impairments - whether congenital, acquired, or due to advanced age this area is even more significant. Many affected individuals often rely on medical aids or medications and must deal with numerous forms. Currently, many are forced to seek assistance from relatives, friends, or colleagues for help with these processes. However, especially on health-related matters, there is often a need for discretion and privacy. Starting in 2025, accessible PDFs will allow affected individuals to navigate the healthcare system more independently.

Take a look at your email inbox. When was the last time you received an email from your bank informing you about financial updates or changes to their terms of service? This week? Last week? Alongside these updates, bank statements are often made available for download via online banking platforms, typically in PDF format.

Not only banks but also online payment service - acting as the interface between online shopping and personal finances - now allow transaction summaries to be downloaded in PDF.

Imagine needing to disclose to family, friends, or colleagues how much money you spend every month and for what purpose or being unable to open your own bank account because of inaccessible digital options. Financial independence is not always guaranteed due to the barriers found in web services and PDF documents. The idea behind the European Accessibility Act is to open new opportunities to a much wider range of people starting in 2025, empowering them to manage their finances independently. Moreover, this could represent a significant economic opportunity for the EU.

Since 2008, most airlines have transitioned to electronic tickets. This is a good example mentioned in the European Accessibility Act and the Disability Strengthening Act under “Aircraft” and “Air Transport”. Electronic tickets save paper and money, while also making the process easier for companies and customers. An e-ticket can’t be forgotten or lost, as it’s typically sent by email as a PDF attachment. The ticket can then be downloaded onto a device, where it provides relevant time details, gate information, QR codes, booking numbers, and everything else required for boarding. For a person with visual impairments, accessible PDFs are essential for this process.

The same applies to all other modes of transportation, whether bus, train, or ship. Private transportation companies will soon be required to ensure that their online ticketing options are fully accessible. Online tickets, timetables, route maps, passenger rights, and travel insurance are all affected. If any of these are made available as PDFs, they must adhere to digital accessibility standards.

Currently, many people with physical impairments face exclusion in areas that are taken for granted by those without disabilities. This alone should be sufficient reason to ensure that digital information is universally accessible.

From an economic standpoint, it also makes complete sense: approximately 80 million people in the EU are visually impaired. These individuals rely on accessible content to ensure inclusion, and accessible PDFs are essential to their inclusion. They play a vital role in daily life and starting in 2025 will enable a much larger number of people to engage in commerce and mobility. Digital accessibility is a win for all of us.