Inclusive Events Aren't Optional Anymore - The European Accessibility Act Is Here

Live captioning began as a niche service. Now, it's a legal requirement.

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is officially in force, and it’s changing how we approach events across the EU and beyond. From 28 June 2025, every public-facing event — whether live, hybrid, or virtual — must be accessible to disabled attendees on equal terms. That includes ticketing, digital content, livestreams, and in-person access.

But this isn’t just about compliance. It’s about modern communication.

“In 2025, an inaccessible event is an incomplete event.”

— Orla Pearson, Co-founder of AccessLOOP & MyClearText

What is the EAA, and why does it matter?

The EAA requires that disabled people can fully participate in services — including events. And that participation must be built in from the start, not added on as an afterthought.

From purchasing a ticket to watching a keynote or taking part in a Q&A, every element must be inclusive. This includes:

• Accessible ticketing systems and payment platforms

• Real-time captions and sign language interpretation

• Websites and apps that work with screen readers

• Pre-event info in large print, plain English, or easy-read formats

• Multilingual access options

• On-site signage, audio, and support systems
  

In other words: if your event isn't accessible, it's not compliant.

Why leading brands are already acting

There are 87 million disabled people across the EU. In the UK, 16 million. Yet many events still treat accessibility as optional. The EAA is helping shift that mindset — but the most forward-thinking organisations aren’t waiting to be told. They’re already embedding accessibility as a brand value, not just a legal checkbox.

“When accessibility is baked in, engagement increases, media interest grows, and brands show they genuinely care.”

Modern accessibility tools like AccessLOOP mean that any organisation — from global corporations to grassroots charities — can offer the same inclusive experience.

AccessLOOP: Making Accessibility Easy

AccessLOOP is a live captioning platform built by accessibility experts who’ve worked with some of the world’s largest events.

With AccessLOOP, you can: ✅ Deliver real-time captions to screens, streams or apps ✅ Combine human and AI captioning to balance cost and accuracy ✅ Offer multilingual captions for global audiences ✅ Provide playback-ready formats for WCAG and EAA compliance ✅ Ensure smooth access — no downloads or tech headaches

Start with our Free Checklist

To help you prepare, we’ve created a free European Accessibility Act Checklist for Live Events. It breaks down everything you need to know — from ticketing and livestreaming to feedback forms and supplier contracts.

Download the Checklist

You’ll also find a short recorded demo of AccessLOOP in action. If you’d like to explore how it could work for your event, our team is happy to chat further.

The Future is inclusive

Accessibility isn’t a trend. It’s the standard audiences now expect — and the legal framework now demands.

“Every event is an opportunity to show your brand truly communicates with everyone — not just the majority.”— Orla Pearson

Let’s raise the bar together. Because inclusive events don’t just meet expectations — they exceed them.