With the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882), applicable since June 28, 2025, digital accessibility has become an obligation for many products and services offered to consumers in the European Union. Which obligations apply to a specific company depends on the country, the sector and the type of service. In this context, choosing the right tool or provider is no small matter: the market offers very different approaches, from "install and forget" widgets to audit and remediation services. Here are the criteria that, in our view, really matter.

1. Widget or code fixes?

A widget (or overlay) gives visitors tools such as text enlargement, contrast settings and readable fonts. It is useful, but it does not change the site's code or content: an image without alt text, a form without labels or navigation that cannot be operated by keyboard remain exactly as they are. No widget, on its own, makes a site accessible or compliant. A serious solution must include an audit and the correction of structural barriers.

2. Which technical standard is checked

Always ask which standard the check refers to. The most widely used reference is WCAG 2.1/2.2 level AA, referenced in Europe by the EN 301 549 standard. Some countries adopt national frameworks (for example, the RGAA in France): check whether they are included or require a specific engagement.

3. Manual checks, not just automated ones

Automated tools detect only part of the accessibility problems. A reliable audit combines automated scans with manual checks by human auditors and testing with assistive technologies (screen readers, keyboard navigation).

4. A clear perimeter

An audit covers defined pages and features: ask how many pages are included and what happens with the rest of the site. Be wary of anyone who promises compliance for the entire site without specifying a perimeter.

5. Honest documentation

The report must indicate the issues found, their priority and what is needed to fix them. An accessibility statement must reflect the actual state of the site, including the non-compliant parts: an "everything is compliant" statement drafted without thorough checks exposes the company to complaints.

6. Technical conformance and legal obligations are not the same thing

Meeting WCAG is a technical requirement. Legal obligations depend on the country, the type of organization and the service, and may include additional requirements (statements, feedback channels, maintenance procedures). A serious provider does not promise that "you will be in line with every law," but helps you with the technical side and encourages you to verify the applicable obligations with your own advisors.

7. Maintenance over time

Every new page, piece of content or feature can introduce new barriers. Ask how maintenance is handled: periodic scans, new audits, updates to the statement. There is no such thing as "automatic," permanent compliance.

8. Support and localization

Support in your language, clear response times and knowledge of the European regulatory context make a difference in day-to-day management.

Accessibi's approach

Accessibi combines a widget developed in-house—which does not interfere with screen readers and assistive technologies—with audits against WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA (automated and manual checks on the agreed perimeter), code remediation, document remediation and the drafting of the accessibility statement based on the findings. We always state the perimeter and limits of each service: the widget is a complementary tool, the audit captures the state of the site on the date of the check, and technical conformance alone does not amount to meeting every legal obligation. We do not provide legal advice and we do not guarantee legal outcomes: we work to remove barriers, with method and transparency.

Want to know where to start? Request a free consultation: we analyze your site and point out the priority actions.