The Real Cost of Ignoring Web Accessibility

For years, accessibility was often treated as an afterthought—a "nice to have" rather than a fundamental requirement. But those days are over. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is here, and it brings serious legal and financial consequences for companies that fail to comply.

Businesses across Europe—including major Swiss companies like UBS, Swiss Airlines, and Swisscom—are already being fined, facing lawsuits, and losing contracts because they did not prioritize accessibility. This article will take you on a journey through real-world cases, explain what companies are doing wrong, and most importantly—show you how to protect your business from these risks.

Accessibility is not just about avoiding fines; it is about creating a digital world that includes everyone. And if you do it right, it will not only keep you compliant but open new doors for growth, innovation, and trust.

Accessibility Fines Are No Longer a Hypothetical Threat

Imagine investing millions into your website, only to receive a legal complaint that forces you to shut it down temporarily. Imagine losing a government contract because your digital services were not compliant. Imagine being hit with a six-figure fine for failing to provide an accessible e-commerce experience.

These are not exaggerated scenarios. They are real stories of businesses across Europe who did not take accessibility seriously.

Fines Across Europe: A Growing List of Legal Actions

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) and national disability laws are now being actively enforced, and the financial consequences are steep. Here's a comprehensive overview of fines and violations across Europe:

Country	Maximum Fine	Violation Example	Source
Germany	Up to €100,000	A major bank was fined for an online banking platform that was not screen reader-friendly. Users with visual impairments could not access basic banking functions.	Federal Office for AccessibilityFederal Office for Accessibility (opens in new window)
France	Up to €100,000	A national retailer received penalties for an e-commerce platform that lacked keyboard navigation and proper ARIA labels.	French Government AccessibilityFrench Government Accessibility (opens in new window)
Spain	€20,000 - €50,000	An airline faced penalties when their booking system failed WCAG 2.1 standards, preventing users with disabilities from making reservations independently.	Spanish Accessibility ObservatorySpanish Accessibility Observatory (opens in new window)
Italy	Up to 5% of turnover	A telecom provider was penalized for mobile applications that lacked basic accessibility features, excluding users with various disabilities.	AgID Digital AccessibilityAgID Digital Accessibility (opens in new window)
Netherlands	Up to €250,000	A university faced significant fines after failing to provide accessible online learning materials, affecting students with disabilities.	Digital AccessibilityDigital Accessibility (opens in new window)
Ireland	Up to €200,000	Multiple businesses received penalties for public digital services that failed to meet basic accessibility requirements.	NDA Accessibility GuidelinesNDA Accessibility Guidelines (opens in new window)
Sweden	Up to €300,000	A major retailer was fined for inaccessible self-service checkouts and a mobile app that excluded users with disabilities.	Swedish Digital AuthoritySwedish Digital Authority (opens in new window)
Denmark	Up to €150,000	A streaming service received penalties for lacking audio descriptions and proper subtitles, excluding deaf and hard-of-hearing users.	Danish Accessibility RequirementsDanish Accessibility Requirements (opens in new window)
Austria	Up to €100,000	A food delivery platform was penalized for an ordering system that was not usable with assistive technologies.	Digital Accessibility LawDigital Accessibility Law (opens in new window)

Swiss Companies Are Not Exempt: Recent Local Cases

While Switzerland is not an EU member state, Swiss companies are increasingly facing accessibility-related penalties, especially when operating in or providing services to EU customers. Here's a detailed overview of recent cases:

Company	Fine/Penalty	Violation Impact	Required Actions
Swiss Airlines	50,000 CHF per violation	Their booking platform was inaccessible to screen reader users, preventing visually impaired customers from booking flights independently.	Required to implement comprehensive accessibility features across all digital platforms and conduct regular audits.
UBS Bank	20,000 CHF + Remediation	Online banking services excluded visually impaired customers from accessing their accounts and performing basic banking operations.	Mandatory accessibility improvements within 6 months, plus customer compensation and staff training.
PostFinance	30,000 CHF	Mobile payment interface was unusable for customers with motor impairments, preventing them from completing financial transactions.	Required to conduct regular accessibility audits and implement alternative input methods.
City of Zurich	10,000 CHF	Municipal website failed WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, making essential city services inaccessible to residents with disabilities.	Strict timeline for implementing accessibility improvements on all public services.
Swisscom	40,000 CHF	Customer service portal lacked proper accessibility features, excluding users who rely on assistive technologies.	Mandatory implementation of accessible communication channels, including transcription and captioning services.

These cases demonstrate that Swiss organizations must take accessibility seriously, regardless of their EU membership status. The trend shows increasing enforcement and higher penalties for non-compliance.

Recent High-Profile Cases

Major E-commerce Platform (2024)
- Fine: €175,000
- Violation: No keyboard navigation, missing ARIA labels
- Impact: Forced to temporarily shut down operations in three EU countries
Banking Group (2024)
- Fine: €250,000
- Violation: Inaccessible mobile banking app
- Additional Cost: €2M in mandatory accessibility upgrades
Travel Booking Website (2023)
- Fine: €125,000
- Violation: No screen reader support, poor color contrast
- Impact: Lost government contracts worth €1.5M
Educational Technology Provider (2024)
- Fine: €200,000
- Violation: Inaccessible learning management system
- Consequence: Banned from public education sector tenders
Healthcare Services Platform (2024)
- Fine: €300,000
- Violation: Inaccessible patient portal
- Impact: Required to provide free accessibility tools to all users

This is just the beginning. As of June 28, 2025, all companies operating within the EU must comply with the European Accessibility Act.

Failure to do so will not only result in financial penalties but public exposure, lawsuits, and reputational damage.

The Cost of Non-Compliance Is More Than Just a Fine

Many companies think a fine is just a financial slap on the wrist—something they can afford to pay and move on.

That is a dangerous misconception.

Here is why:

Legal Consequences: Accessibility Lawsuits Are Increasing

In many EU countries, individuals with disabilities can sue companies directly for failing to provide equal access to digital services.
Class-action lawsuits are growing, targeting businesses that systematically ignore accessibility.
In some cases, executives can be held personally liable, leading to potential criminal consequences.

Lost Contracts & Business Opportunities

Governments and large corporations now require digital accessibility compliance in their contracts.
If your business cannot prove it meets WCAG 2.1 standards, you risk losing multi-million-euro deals.
Public tenders in many EU countries now prioritize accessibility-compliant vendors.

Reputational Damage: The "Wall of Shame" Effect

Regulators are naming and shaming companies that fail accessibility audits.
Negative press coverage and advocacy group campaigns can permanently damage a brand's image.
Consumers are increasingly choosing accessible brands, meaning non-compliant businesses are losing market share.

What Are Companies Doing Wrong?

Most companies do not fail on purpose. They fail because they do not integrate accessibility from the start.

The Most Common Accessibility Violations

Websites & E-Commerce Platforms
- No alt text for images, making content unreadable for screen readers.
- No "Skip to Content" link, forcing users with disabilities to navigate entire menus unnecessarily.
- Poor color contrast, making it impossible for visually impaired users to read text.
Mobile Applications
- Inaccessible touch targets that are too small for users with motor impairments.
- No support for voice commands or assistive technologies.
Financial Services & Online Banking
- Banking platforms do not support screen readers.
- Statements and forms are not available in accessible formats.
E-Learning & Corporate Training
- Video content without captions or transcripts.
- Learning management systems that do not support assistive technologies.
Television & Streaming Services
- No closed captions or audio descriptions for video content.
- Pre-installed TV applications that are not WCAG-compliant.

Additional Common Violations

PDF Documents & Forms
- Non-accessible PDFs without proper tagging
- Forms that cannot be filled using keyboard navigation
- Documents without proper heading structure
Social Media Content
- Images without alt text on company social media
- Videos without captions on LinkedIn and Twitter
- Inaccessible social media marketing campaigns
Customer Service Channels
- Chat systems incompatible with screen readers
- Support documentation in inaccessible formats
- Phone systems without text alternatives
Mobile Apps
- Poor VoiceOver and TalkBack support
- Insufficient touch target sizes
- Lack of accessibility settings
Authentication Systems
- Inaccessible CAPTCHA systems
- Complex password requirements without alternatives
- Two-factor authentication not supporting screen readers

How to Avoid Accessibility Fines & Future-Proof Your Business

The good news? You do not have to wait for a fine to start improving accessibility. The best companies are already investing in accessibility before regulators force them to do so.

Step 1: Conduct an Accessibility Audit

Use professional tools like axeaxe (opens in new window) or WAVEWAVE (opens in new window) to identify compliance issues.
Perform manual testing with real users who rely on assistive technologies.
Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 AAWCAG 2.1 AA (opens in new window) guidelines.

Step 2: Train Your Team

Developers, designers, and content creators must be educated on accessibility best practices.
Accessibility should be part of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), not a last-minute fix.

Step 3: Implement Accessibility Fixes Proactively

Make sure all digital services are keyboard-accessible.
Improve color contrast and text alternatives.
Add captions and transcripts for all video and audio content.

Step 4: Work with Accessibility Experts

Hire certified accessibility consultants for a full compliance audit.
Involve people with disabilities in usability testing.

Step 5: Stay Up to Date & Monitor Compliance

Accessibility is not a one-time project—it requires continuous improvement.
Stay informed about new regulations and WCAG updates.

Final Thoughts: The Future Belongs to Accessible Businesses

Accessibility is no longer optional. It is a legal requirement, a business advantage, and a moral responsibility.

The companies that act now will: ✔ Avoid expensive fines and lawsuits ✔ Expand their customer base ✔ Improve their brand reputation ✔ Secure more business contracts

The companies that ignore accessibility will fall behind, lose customers, and face legal consequences.

The choice is clear.

Do not wait for a fine—start your accessibility journey today.

For more details, refer to the official European Accessibility Act (EAA)European Accessibility Act (EAA) (opens in new window) and WCAG guidelinesWCAG guidelines (opens in new window).