As we welcome the new year, we celebrate the strides being made to make the world more accessible for everyone. With several significant accessibility milestones on the horizon, 2025 promises to be a year of progress and inclusion. This blog post highlights some of the key changes coming soon and what they mean for individuals and organizations alike.

Audio Description Expansion to More Areas of the Country

Starting January 1, 2025, viewers in 10 more areas (areas 101 to 110) within the US will be able to access audio descriptions on TV stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. This is part of the phased-in approach adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on October 17, 2023. Ten additional areas will be included each year until reaching the 210 market areas in 2035.

The areas covered are selected according to the US geographic DMAs (or Designated Market Areas) ranked by Nielsen according to population density. The higher the rank, the higher the population density. Areas 101 to 110 are: Tri-Cities (Tennessee-Virginia), Reno, Greenville-New Bern-Washington, Davenport-Rock Island-Moline, Tallahassee-Thomasville, Lincoln & Hastings-Kearney, Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Johnstown-Altoona-State College, and Augusta-Aiken.

European Accessibility Act Effective June 2025

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a landmark directive by the European Union aimed at enhancing the accessibility of products and services for individuals with disabilities. Adopted in 2019 and set to come into full effect in June 2025, the EAA mandates that key products and services meet specific accessibility requirements. These include items like consumer technology (smartphones, computers, and tablets), digital platforms (e-commerce websites and apps), financial services (ATMs and payment terminals), and audiovisual media services. The overarching goal is to eliminate barriers, enabling people with disabilities to engage fully in society and the economy.

For businesses in the United States, the EAA has significant implications, particularly for those operating in or exporting to EU markets. American companies selling relevant products or offering services in the EU must comply with the EAA's accessibility standards. This includes ensuring that digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for individuals with various disabilities. Non-compliance can lead to restricted market access or penalties, potentially impacting a company's revenue and reputation. Therefore, understanding and integrating EAA standards is not only a regulatory obligation but also an opportunity to expand reach and foster inclusivity.

Upcoming Compliance Deadline for ADA Title II

On April 24, 2024, the US Department of Justice published a final rule in the Federal Register that updates Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It requires that state and local governments' digital services and products comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines ("WCAG") version 2.1 Level AA.

The WCAG 2.1 Level AA is a technical standard for web content and mobile apps developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). State organizations and larger municipalities with more than 50,000 residents have until April 24, 2026, to comply with the federal rule. If your organization has not started working toward compliance, now is the time to start.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Navigating accessibility regulations can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Dicapta offers a wide range of accessibility services, from audio description to digital accessibility consulting. Contact us today to ensure your organization is ready to meet these upcoming requirements and make your products and services inclusive for everyone.