EEE Strategy for EAA Compliance: Essential, Effective, and Efficient Accessibility for Publishers 

The publishing industry stands at the threshold of a significant transformation with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) set to take full effect on June 28, 2025. This comprehensive legislation mandates that digital products and services—including e-books, e-readers, and related software—must be accessible to people with disabilities. For publishers operating in the European market, this isn’t merely a regulatory hurdle but a fundamental shift in how content must be conceptualized, created, and delivered. 

The EAA’s scope is unprecedented: unlike previous legislation that primarily affected public sector entities, this Act directly impacts private businesses providing products and services in the EU market. Publishers who fail to comply not only risk substantial penalties but also exclusion from a market of 450 million consumers, including an estimated 87 million people with disabilities. 
 
This blog introduces our EEE Strategy Framework—Essential, Effective, and Efficient—designed to help publishers navigate EAA compliance with clarity and purpose. Rather than viewing accessibility as merely a compliance burden, we propose a structured approach that integrates accessibility into the publishing workflow as a core business function that expands market reach while fulfilling regulatory requirements. 

The Essential (E): Key Must-Haves 

Accessibility Metadata Integration: Why It’s Non-negotiable 

Under the EAA, accessibility features must be clearly communicated to consumers. This makes accessibility metadata not just helpful but mandatory. Proper metadata enables: 

• Discoverability: Allows readers with disabilities to find content that meets their specific needs 

• Compliance documentation: Provides evidence of adherence to regulatory requirements 

• Market differentiation: Highlights your commitment to accessibility as a competitive advantage 

At minimum, publishers must implement the ONIX accessibility metadata fields, including: 

• Accessibility summary 

• Accessibility features (e.g., alternative text, structural navigation) 

• Accessibility hazards (e.g., flashing content) 

• Conformance statements (specific standards met) 

This metadata must be consistently applied across all distribution platforms and channels, creating a reliable information trail from publisher to end-user. 

Mandatory Compliance Standards 

The EAA specifies that digital content must adhere to established accessibility standards. The two primary frameworks publishers must understand are: 

WCAG 2.2 Level AA  serves as the foundational standard for web-based content. Key requirements include: 

• Perceivable content (text alternatives, adaptable presentation) 

• Operable interfaces (keyboard accessibility, navigable structures) 

• Understandable information (readable text, predictable functionality) 

• Robust content (compatibility with assistive technologies) 

PDF/UA (ISO 14289) For PDF content, the PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility) standard is essential, requiring: 

• Properly tagged document structure 

• Meaningful reading order 

• Alternative text for non-text elements 

• Document metadata and language specification 

• Accessible forms and interactive elements 

Both standards require systematic implementation throughout the content production workflow rather than retrospective fixes. Publishers must establish baseline validation processes to ensure these standards are consistently met before publication. 

Effective Accessibility Implementation 

Incorporating Alt-text and Closed Captioning: Why It Matters and How to Do It Effectively 

Beyond mere compliance, effective implementation of accessibility features enhances the reading experience for all users. Two critical components deserve special attention: 

Alternative Text (Alt-text) Alt-text serves as the verbal equivalent of visual information. Effective alt-text: 

• Conveys the purpose and content of the image, not merely describing its appearance 

• Adapts to context and audience expectations 

• Varies in detail based on the image’s complexity and relevance 

• Omits redundant information already present in surrounding text 

For example, rather than stating “Image of a graph showing data trends,” effective alt-text would specify “Bar graph comparing quarterly sales figures from 2022-2024, showing a 32% increase in Q4 2024.” 

Closed Captioning and Transcripts For audio and video content, closed captioning and transcripts are essential. Effective implementation includes: 

• Synchronized timing with audio elements 

• Speaker identification for multi-voice content 

• Inclusion of relevant non-speech sounds 

• Consistent formatting and positioning 

Both features must be integrated into the editorial process rather than added as afterthoughts, ensuring they maintain the author’s intent while providing equivalent experiences for all users. 

Ancillary Content Accessibility: Ensuring Holistic Compliance Beyond Primary Content 

The EAA requires accessibility across all user touchpoints, not just the main content. Publishers must ensure: 

Supplementary Materials 

• Interactive elements (quizzes, assessments) 

• Downloadable resources (worksheets, templates) 

• Bibliographies and references 

• Glossaries and indexes 

Marketing and Support 

• Product descriptions and promotional materials 

• User manuals and documentation 

• Customer support interfaces 

• Purchasing and licensing processes 

Even temporary content like promotional campaigns must meet accessibility standards. This holistic approach prevents accessibility gaps that could compromise compliance and limit user access. 

Efficiency in Accessibility Processes 

Standardizing Image Description with Style Guides and AI Tools 

Efficiency in accessibility implementation comes through standardization and appropriate use of technology: 

Accessibility Style Guides Develop comprehensive style guides that: 

• Establish consistent alt-text protocols by image type 

• Define terminology standards for technical descriptions 

• Create templates for common content patterns 

• Specify quality control checkpoints 

AI-Assisted Workflows Strategic implementation of AI tools can: 

• Generate baseline alt-text for routine images 

• Flag potentially problematic content for human review 

• Automate preliminary accessibility checks 

• Provide consistency across large content libraries 

The ideal approach combines AI efficiency with human expertise, particularly for complex or nuanced content. Human reviewers should verify AI-generated descriptions for accuracy, context-appropriateness, and sensitivity to cultural considerations. 

Ensuring Holistic Compliance Beyond Primary Content 

Integra can help audit and remediate content, preventing accessibility gaps that could compromise compliance and limit user access. 

Integra’s approach combines AI efficiency with human expertise, particularly for complex or nuanced content. Our review system enables human reviewers to verify AI-generated descriptions for accuracy, context-appropriateness, and sensitivity to cultural considerations. 

Prioritizing Proactive Auditing and Remediation 

Reactive compliance is costly and inefficient. Integra’s proactive approaches include: 

Integrated Testing Protocols 

• Accessibility testing tools for each stage of production 

• Combined automated tools and manual testing workflows 

• User testing frameworks that include people with disabilities 

• Comprehensive documentation of testing methodology and results 

Remediation Frameworks 

• Clear procedures for addressing identified issues 

• Prioritization tools for fixes based on impact and complexity 

• Version control for accessibility updates 

• Analytics that create feedback loops to prevent recurring issues 

By leveraging Integra’s platform for proactive accessibility management, publishers can minimize the cost and disruption of retrospective fixes while building institutional knowledge that improves efficiency over time. 

The EAA represents both a challenge and an opportunity for publishers. By adopting Integra’s EEE Strategy Framework—focusing on the Essential standards, implementing them Effectively, and designing Efficient processes—publishers can transform accessibility from a compliance burden into a strategic advantage. 

This approach delivers three key benefits: 

Compliance Assurance 

• Systematic coverage of regulatory requirements 

• Documented processes that demonstrate due diligence 

• Adaptability to evolving standards 

Risk Mitigation 

• Reduced exposure to legal penalties and market exclusion 

• Protection of brand reputation as an inclusive provider 

• Prevention of costly retrospective remediation 

Market Expansion 

• Access to the growing accessibility-conscious consumer base 

• Enhanced usability that benefits all readers 

• Competitive differentiation in a compliance-focused market 

As the June 2025 deadline approaches, publishers who partner with Integra and embrace our EEE Strategy will not only meet their legal obligations but position themselves as leaders in accessible publishing—serving more readers, more effectively, with greater efficiency than their competitors. 

Visit accessibility.integranxt.com today to learn how our platform can transform your EAA compliance strategy from a challenge into a competitive advantage. 

The question isn’t whether publishers can afford to implement comprehensive accessibility—it’s whether they can afford not to.