Every September, the European digital accessibility community takes stock. It has now been six years since the Web Accessibility Directive (WAD) took full effect. Paired with the ongoing rollout of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The real question remains simple: will accessibility be treated as a mere compliance exercise, or will it deliver genuine, functional value to end users?
To mark this milestone, IAAP EU and the European Disability Forum (EDF) are hosting the Web Accessibility Directive Sixth Anniversary online event on 22 and 23 September 2026.
22 September: Bridging Technical Standards and Daily Work
The first day (13:00–16:00 CEST) features a practical workshop examining the updated EN 301 549 standard. While the draft is still being finalized, its text is stable enough to serve as a solid foundation for discussion.
Many requirements in EN 301 549 extend well beyond traditional WCAG criteria and lack official guidance, which frequently leads to misunderstandings between developers and auditors. Since 2023, an informal international working group has been meeting to align interpretations on a voluntary basis. This session focuses on practical testing methods for criteria that are brand new or significantly revised.
- Speakers: Facilitated by experienced practitioners, including Detlev Fischer (DIAS), Malin Hammarberg (Funka), Hidde de Vries (Logius), Shadi Abou-Zahra (Amazon), and Wilco Fiers (Deque).
- Who It Is For: Software engineers, UX designers, QA testers, and accessibility specialists who need to interpret new technical criteria in their daily workflows.
23 September: European Monitoring Data and Real User Impact
The main conference day (09:00–17:00 CEST) brings together accessibility specialists, public regulators, end-user representatives, and software engineers, moderated by Susanna Laurin.
The schedule covers several core areas:
- Monitoring Data in Practice: Key findings from the second round of WAD audits across EU member states, comparing trends and identifying remaining gaps.
- Enforcement and Innovation: Regulators from Norway, Italy, and France share practical strategies for moving beyond formal compliance.
- Real-World User Feedback: End users with disabilities discuss their daily experiences with digital services and feedback mechanisms.
- Ticketing Systems and Hardware: Navigating complex systems where hardware, software, and physical environments intersect in public transport.
- AI and Customer Support: Guidelines for implementing accessible, automated customer service tools without creating new barriers.
Practical Details
- When: 22 September (13:00–16:00 CEST) & 23 September (09:00–17:00 CEST), 2026.
- Where: Online.
- Registration: Free of charge for both days; advance registration is required.
- Accessibility Services: Live captioning and International Sign interpretation provided.
Cross-border knowledge sharing remains one of the most effective ways to avoid reinventing the wheel and to build digital products that actually work. Reserve your spot and join the conversation online.
Registration to Web Accessibility Directive Sixth Anniversary
- Moving from Policy to Practice: Join Us Online for the Web Accessibility Directive 6th Anniversary - 23. 8. 2026
- Festival pomůcek a služeb 2026: Jeden den. Jedno místo. Desítky řešení pro každodenní život - 21. 8. 2026
- From Requirements to Reality: Join Us for the IAAP Nordic & ÖBÍ Accessibility Event 2026 in Reykjavik or Online - 8. 8. 2026