Accessibility in media is no longer just a nice-to-have. It’s becoming a legal requirement across the European Union. In June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) went into effect, setting a new standard for inclusivity in content and digital services. This landmark legislation aims to break down barriers for nearly 80 million people in the EU living with disabilities, while also standardizing compliance for businesses operating across member states. For the media and entertainment sector, it marks a pivotal moment—one that blends legal responsibility with creative opportunity.
What Is the European Accessibility Act?
Adopted in 2019, the EAA establishes common EU-wide accessibility requirements for key products and services. By harmonizing these rules across member states, the Act helps remove market barriers between countries, reduce compliance costs for cross-border businesses, and encourage innovation in accessible products and services. Its ultimate goal is to improve media, technology, and entertainment accessibility for audiences across the EU.
Who Will Be Affected?
The EAA impacts two main groups: audiences and businesses. For audiences, it means that people with physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments will gain greater access to content, technology, and services. For businesses and public organizations, it establishes new accessibility standards for anyone producing, importing, distributing, or providing covered products and services—including media services, digital platforms, streaming providers, and content creators. Both public sector organizations and private companies must comply.
What Does It Mean for the Entertainment Industry?
If you offer movies, TV shows, streaming content, video games, e-books, or digital publications in the EU, accessibility features will now be required. EAA compliance includes:
- Subtitles and captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences
- Audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers
- Accessible user interfaces for platforms and apps
- Sign language interpretation in some cases
Responsibility can be shared—creators may build accessibility into new productions, while distributors retrofit older content. And, while the EAA went into effect in June 2025, there is a grace period until June 2030 for existing content and platforms to achieve EAA compliance. Enforcement will be handled by national authorities within each EU country, with oversight from the European Commission.
An Opportunity for Connection
For the media industry, the EAA isn’t just about meeting regulations, but also about expanding reach and deepening audience engagement by improving accessibility in entertainment. Inclusive content opens doors to new viewers, strengthens brand reputation, and reinforces the value of storytelling that truly connects.
At TransPerfect Media, we help clients reach audiences everywhere. Our media accessibility services include:
- Captioning
- Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SDH)
- Live closed captioning
- Audio descriptions for visually impaired audiences
We also provide a full suite of media localization, post-production, distribution, special effects, and film restoration services—ensuring your content is not only compliant but also polished, engaging, and ready for audiences worldwide. With expertise in over 200 languages and a global network of studio locations, our consultative approach helps you meet European Accessibility Act compliance requirements without sacrificing creative integrity.
Reach out to our team to discuss your specific needs—we’re here to guide you through every step.
