Sector-Specific Requirements.

The European Accessibility Act includes specific accessibility requirements for various sectors based on their unique services and products. While all sectors must comply with the general requirements, these sector-specific rules address the unique accessibility needs in each domain.

These requirements ensure that persons with disabilities can access specialized services across all sectors covered by the EAA with the same level of access as all other users.

Electronic communication services, including telephone, video, and messaging services, must:

• Provide real-time text capability alongside voice communications, allowing users to communicate through text in real time during calls
• Support total conversation services when providing both voice and video, enabling simultaneous voice, text, and video communication in one conversation
• Ensure synchronized voice, text, and video for emergency communications, making emergency services accessible to people with hearing or speech disabilities
• Make user interfaces accessible for people with various disabilities to initiate, receive, and end communications
• Support assistive technologies including hearing aids, telecoils, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices
• Provide accessibility information about service compatibility with assistive technologies

These requirements ensure that people with disabilities can communicate effectively using electronic communication services, which are essential for daily life, emergency access, and social participation.

Services providing access to audiovisual media (streaming platforms, TV services, etc.) must:

• Provide accessible electronic program guides that are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users with disabilities
• Ensure complete transmission of accessibility features (subtitles, audio description, spoken subtitles, sign language interpretation) from content providers to end users
• Make user interfaces accessible so that people with disabilities can find, select, and view audiovisual content
• Provide information about accessibility features available for specific content, helping users find accessible programming
• Make mobile applications accessible for accessing audiovisual content on mobile devices
• Support content navigation through accessible menus, search functions, and content guides

These requirements ensure that people with disabilities can find, access, and enjoy audiovisual content including television programs, movies, and streaming media.

E-book services and providers must:

• Provide e-books in accessible formats with proper structure, content, and flexibility to accommodate different user needs
• Ensure digital files support proper formatting, content navigation, layout, and flexibility
• Include accessibility metadata to help users identify accessible features before purchasing or accessing content
• Protect accessibility features when implementing technical protection measures (like digital rights management systems)
• Make e-book platforms accessible so users with disabilities can browse, purchase, download, and read content
• Support assistive technologies including screen readers, refreshable braille displays, and other reading tools
• Allow content customization including font size, spacing, color, contrast, and layout adjustments

These requirements ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to literature, educational materials, and other written content in digital formats.

E-commerce services, including online stores and marketplaces, must:

• Provide accessible identification methods for creating accounts, logging in, and authenticating users
• Make payment processes accessible with clear instructions and feedback for all stages of transactions
• Implement accessible security measures that don't create barriers for people with disabilities
• Provide product accessibility information to help customers understand whether products meet their accessibility needs
• Make digital shopping interfaces accessible for browsing products, reading descriptions, comparing options, and completing purchases
• Ensure product search and filtering functions are accessible to help users find appropriate products
• Make customer service accessible through multiple communication channels

These requirements ensure that people with disabilities can shop online independently, access product information, complete transactions, and receive customer support.

Banking services, including consumer banking and financial services, must:

• Provide accessible identification methods for online and mobile banking
• Make electronic document signing accessible for contracts and transactions
• Implement accessible security features that work for people with different abilities
• Ensure banking information is understandable, not exceeding upper intermediate reading level (approximately B2 level)
• Make banking interfaces accessible for checking balances, transferring funds, paying bills, and managing accounts
• Ensure ATMs are accessible with features like text-to-speech, tactile keypads, and headphone jacks
• Provide accessible financial documents including statements, contracts, and notices
• Offer accessible customer support through multiple communication channels

These requirements ensure that people with disabilities can independently manage their finances, access banking services, and complete financial transactions securely.

Air, bus, rail, and waterborne passenger transport services must:

• Provide accessible websites and mobile apps for information, booking, check-in, and ticketing
• Make self-service terminals accessible, including ticketing machines, check-in kiosks, and payment terminals
• Provide accessible real-time travel information about schedules, delays, platform changes, and service disruptions
• Ensure electronic ticketing and boarding passes are accessible to people with different disabilities
• Make information about accessibility features of transport services and vehicles easily available
• Provide booking systems that allow people to specify accessibility needs
• Ensure identification and payment systems used during travel are accessible

These requirements ensure that people with disabilities can plan trips, purchase tickets, check in, board vehicles, and receive important travel information independently.

Note that these requirements cover digital services related to transportation. Physical accessibility of stations, vehicles, and infrastructure is covered by other EU legislation.