Some thoughts from Matt Sherwen for you on EU compliance regs affecting websites;
With only a few weeks left to go until the implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) on the 28 June 2025, it is now critical for insurers to urgently review how accessible their websites and online platforms are.
Sherwen Studios, a consultancy specialising in transformation, AI and automation are reminding insurance companies of the critical need to think about how specific user experiences might differ for individuals with different capabilities.
The European Accessibility Act mandates that all digital products and services, from websites and mobile apps to electronic documents must be fully accessible for any user with any form of disability. This includes individuals with visual impairments, hearing loss, mobility limitations and neurodiversity.
Although the Act is specifically targeting those working within the EU (or planning to), Sherwen Studios believes that it makes good business sense for UK businesses to also comply. With one-in-five people in the UK living with a disability, it’s clear that businesses need to prioritise improving digital access for all users.
Matt Sherwen, Managing Director of Sherwen Studios, says, “We live in a digital world, but too often, that world has been designed for physically-able and neurotypical users. There is often a lack of consideration about how those digital experiences might differ for other users who may have their own specific needs.
“Websites and digital platforms are now far more intuitive than ever before, so it’s never been easier to improve experiences for everyone. However, the key to making the right improvements is to make sure that you think about how different physical and cognitive needs might impact on how someone uses and accesses information online.”
Sherwen believe that too often, businesses view digital accessibility as an afterthought, rather than a strategic part of any business development plan.
Matt says, “Improving digital accessibility doesn’t always mean investing in a new platform or website. Even small tweaks can make a huge impact on users, such as changing a font or increasing a font size, checking that detailed image descriptions are available and confirming that systems are fully integrated with a range of assistive technologies.
“In our opinion, an effective digital strategy is about taking continuous small steps that allow individual users to have a better experience every single time they log on. The forthcoming implementation of the European Accessibility Act means that there is now an urgency in place to kickstart those conversations about whether your users are genuinely receiving the dynamic digital experiences that they deserve.”
To help businesses with their digital accessibility plans, Sherwen Studios have published a practical white paper titled “Rethinking Accessibility: Transcending Compliance for an Inclusive Digital Experience”. Along with exploring the context and business case for investing in digital accessibility, the report also features user-led feedback and a series of handy checklists and step-by-step guides to help businesses improve their online platforms.
To download the report, please visit https://www.sherwen.com/downloads/accessibility-whitepaper
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