This content originally appeared on TPGi and was authored by Melissa Morse
This article provides information about accessibility laws and regulations but is not legal advice. You should consult a lawyer for advice on specific legal issues or problems.
In 2019, Austria passed a law that would quietly shape the digital experiences of millions. The Federal Act on Barrier-Free Access to Federal Websites and Mobile Applications, known as the Web Accessibility Act (WZG), set in motion a structural shift in how Austrian public institutions think about accessibility.
At the time, the law seemed like a routine step: align Austria with Directive (EU) 2016/2102 by requiring public websites and mobile apps to be accessible. But over the years, it has grown into something more. The WZG became a framework for inclusion, a signal that digital participation is a right, not a privilege.
As Europe now prepares for the full implementation of the European Accessibility Act (EAA) on June 28, 2025, Austria’s early efforts — now consolidated and updated as of April 2025 to align more closely with EAA requirements — offer a lens into the broader evolution of digital accessibility across the continent.
What the WZG Set Out to Do
WZG was built on a simple but powerful idea: that government websites and services should be usable by everyone. It formalized requirements based on the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), calling for digital experiences that are:
- Perceivable.
- Operable.
- Understandable.
- Robust.
But beyond its technical foundations, the WZG defined who is responsible, how progress should be measured, and where the limits of enforcement lie. It applied to:
- Websites and mobile applications.
- Public institutions established to serve the general interest, not operating commercially, and under federal oversight or control.
- Software other than operating systems developed for the public on mobile platforms by federal, federally run, or federally funded entities.
It also carefully outlined exemptions — acknowledging the practical limits of retrofitting legacy content, cultural reproductions, or small internal systems.
What emerged was not just a checklist of rules, but a policy roadmap: one that would later mirror many of the principles underpinning the EAA.
Beyond the Public Sector: Accessibility in Transition
What made the WZG distinctive was how it wove accessibility into institutional life. Public bodies were required to publish accessibility statements, respond to feedback within a defined timeframe, and participate in ongoing monitoring.
These requirements quietly redefined expectations. Accessibility was no longer an isolated initiative — it became a matter of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
The law didn’t cover everything. Private digital platforms, banking apps, transport services, and e-commerce were beyond its scope. But that’s exactly where the European Accessibility Act picks up the thread.
Set to take effect in less than three months, the EAA expands the conversation: turning accessibility into a pan-European standard for both public and private digital services. The 2025 consolidation of the WZG now legislates for public services to meet EAA requirements, laying the foundations for how private services might comply.
A Continuum, Not a Countdown
It’s tempting to treat the June 28, 2025, deadline as a finish line. But in reality, the EAA is part of a continuum — an effort that began years ago in national legislatures like Austria’s and continues to evolve. Organizations already familiar with the WZG’s requirements are well-positioned to scale those practices under the EAA.
Austria’s experience offers valuable lessons for other countries and sectors preparing for the EAA:
- Accessibility is most effective when it’s embedded in process, not added later.
- Legislative clarity helps organizations move from intention to action.
- Public-sector frameworks can become blueprints for broader industry compliance.
More than a legal milestone, the WZG reflects a shift in mindset: from thinking of accessibility as a technical fix to recognizing it as a social imperative. And with the EAA expanding the stage, that mindset is now more important than ever.
Continue the Conversation
Understanding Austria’s Web Accessibility Act helps illuminate the path toward a more inclusive digital Europe. If you’re preparing for the EAA or looking to benchmark your progress, exploring how national laws like the WZG shaped early compliance efforts is a smart place to start.
TPGi is here to support your EAA journey. For those seeking to deepen their understanding of accessibility across Europe, schedule a consultation with TPGi to get tailored support for your digital compliance goals. Visit our EAA Resource Center for webinars, accessibility testing tools, and expert guidance.
Download the Essential Guide to the European Accessibility Act — your step-by-step playbook for EAA success.
Explore Additional EU Member Resources
- France: Law 2005-102, RGAA, and Web Accessibility.
- Ireland’s Digital Accessibility Laws.
- Italy’s Stanca Act.
- Netherlands’ Dutch Implementation Act.
- Swedish Act (2018:1937) on Accessibility in Digital Public Services.
The post Austria’s Web Accessibility Act (WZG): What It Means for EAA Compliance appeared first on TPGi.
This content originally appeared on TPGi and was authored by Melissa Morse
Melissa Morse | Sciencx (2025-04-10T14:38:11+00:00) Austria’s Web Accessibility Act (WZG): What It Means for EAA Compliance. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/04/10/austrias-web-accessibility-act-wzg-what-it-means-for-eaa-compliance/
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