European Accessibility Act will require companies to adhere to accessibility standards for all their products and services. This includes computer, operating systems and smartphones. means that the act changes the way IT and HR leaders manage workplace technology.
Tech vendors must now build accessibility into all their products – from contrast setting and voice control, to AI-driven software onboarding. There’s one catch, however: many of these features won’t be used unless employers take steps to raise awareness.
Insufficiently understood tools are not only a waste of investment, but they also undermine employee confidence and increase digital exclusion. WalkMe, a digital adoption expert recently acquired by SAP, surveyed 1,210 UK workers and found that almost half of them (47%) believe AI will improve their working life by 2030. However, this is only true if many changes are made first.
Vivek Behrl, WalkMe’s VP Strategy, says that employers should take a step back to consider just how inclusive workplace technology is.
Businesses should not treat the EU Accessibility Act like another box to check, but rather as a sign to fundamentally rethink their digital environments. Accessibility is not just about compliance in today’s digital workplace. It’s also about making sure tools are intuitive, discoverable and easy to use by everyone.
As AI tools flood enterprise, the stakes become even higher. Our data shows that the average organisation uses 175 AI apps. Employees will not use these tools if they don’t know how to or when to do so. AI that is poorly implemented can stall productivity, but also erode trust, increase skill gaps and deepen digital exclusion.
“The solution is not just more AI, but smarter adoption.” Businesses need to design experiences that are accessible and provide real-time guidance for every employee. Usability is only important if users know about tools like AI copilots and dark mode. We unlock value by ensuring that no one falls behind in the AI .” age.
The EAA is not just a legal requirement for HR and IT leaders. It’s also a timely reminder of the fact that technology can only be inclusive if people feel empowered to use them.
The first time HR News published the article EU accessibility act: Why it’s a wake-up call for HR leaders.
