Get with the program, y’all!

June 28, 2025’s coming. Less than a month away now.

That’s the day when companies need to comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). (Or, for you EU legal nerds, Directive (EU) 2019/882 of the European Parliament and of the Council.) Yes, it really is approaching. And fast.

On that beautiful June day, all streaming platforms and broadcasters operating in countries within the European Union have to make their services accessible to individuals with disabilities. Maybe your streaming platform or broadcasting company or telco is one of these organizations in the EU. If so, have you got your house in order?

Because all audiovisual content soon needs to hew to strict guidelines. This includes captions and subtitles.

Just so happens that Unified Streaming can step in and help. We offer solutions that can help companies such as yours align with EAA requirements.

Let’s first take a look at what the EAA makes you do.

Understanding the European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The EAA is a directive. What’s a directive? Well, it’s a mandate. What’s a mandate? It’s a set of decrees or regulations. What’s a set of decrees or regulations? It’s a law. What’s a law? Well, it’s a directive. (Just look it up.)

This EAA law aims to harmonize accessibility requirements across EU member states. The key areas of the EAA include the following.

• Audiovisual media services
  
  Streaming platforms and broadcasters must provide accessible content, incorporating synchronous features like subtitles. Also required: audio descriptions, which are narrated remarks upon visual elements, helping visually impaired individuals understand context better.
  
  
• Websites and mobile apps
  
  Digital interfaces must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust, aligning with standards like WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
  
  
• Assistive technology compatibility
  
  Services must be compatible with assistive technologies such as screen readers and alternative input devices.

Of course, Unified Streaming focuses on the first one mentioned: audiovisual media services, and what they need to do.

How about non-compliance? Is that an option? It’s always an option, but not the happiest one. Flouting the directive can land you in some hot water: significant penalties, including fines, service suspensions, and reputational damage.

Unified Streaming's role in EAA compliance

Unified Streaming provides tools and features that help companies meet EAA requirements.

༄ Audio description support

Unified Streaming supports both receiver mix and broadcast mix approaches for audio description tracks, ensuring that visually impaired users receive synchronized audio descriptions.

༄ Subtitle and caption integration

Unified software facilitates the integration of subtitles and closed captions, essential for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.

༄ Standards compliance

Unified Streaming ensures that its accessibility features comply with global standards, including Apple's HLS General Authoring Requirements, and the DVB-DASH specification for accessibility signaling.

༄ User control features

Unified tech provides controls for enabling or customizing accessibility features such as captions, subtitles, and audio descriptions, which plays well with EAA requirements.

Implementing accessibility

What are the next steps? Well, companies like yours could . . . 

• Conduct accessibility audits
  
  Basically, check current content and platforms for gaps in accessibility.
  
  
• Integrate accessibility features
  
  Implement audio descriptions, subtitles, and user controls.
  
  
• Align with standards
  
  Ensure that all features comply with relevant standards like WCAG 2.1 and EN 301 549.
  
  
• Provide accessibility statements
  
  Publish clear statements outlining accessibility features and compliance levels. Here’s an example.

Let’s part here

As the EAA's enforcement date nears, streaming platforms, telcos, and broadcasters need to get their act together and prioritize accessibility.

Unified Streaming offers solutions and products to help companies meet EAA requirements, so all their content is accessible to all users and compliant with EU regulations.

For more information on Unified Streaming's accessibility features, check out our documentation and search accessibility keywords. Or read up on some blogs like this one. Even check out a case study about our collaboration with Earcatch, an accessibility superstar.

Got questions? Our experts would be glad to help you. Just email us.