Workshop on accessibility of electronic communications services

One Year of the European Accessibility Act – reflections and the way forward

As June marks one year since the application of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), this BEREC workshop provides a timely forum to reflect on the progress achieved and to discuss the next steps in advancing accessibility in electronic communications and digital services.

Aim

The workshop will bring together representatives of end-users, national regulatory and supervisory authorities, market stakeholders, and academia to exchange views on the implementation of the new accessibility framework and its practical implications.

The workshop will have 4 sessions:

• Session 1 – End-users' perspectives

This session will delve into the accessibility topic by focusing on the end-user perspective and will explore real-world challenges and practical solutions for digital accessibility. The speakers will share first-hand insights about the daily barriers faced by persons with disabilities and specific accessibility needs when interacting with electronic communications and digital services, as well as effective tools, resources, and support strategies that empower users to overcome them.

• Session 2 – Authorities' practices

This session will explore the evolving regulatory landscape and practical strategies for ensuring inclusive access to electronic communications services. Participants will delve into the diverse approaches taken by NRAs, examining specific use cases and national initiatives that have successfully lowered barriers for users with disabilities. By discussing international frameworks and emerging benchmarks, the session aims to identify how authorities can move beyond basic compliance toward a gold standard of accessibility – ensuring that digital innovation benefits all citizens equally and fosters a truly inclusive market.

• Session 3 – Market views

This session will bring together market perspectives on the new accessibility legislation, offering practical insights into how industry actors are preparing to meet the new requirements. Speakers will share the technical solutions, implementation approaches, and operational strategies currently being developed, while also reflecting on the main challenges encountered in practice. The discussion will provide an opportunity to better understand market expectations and to hear the key messages that industry stakeholders wish to convey to regulators and supervisory authorities as the new framework is put into effect.

• Session 4 – Academia's insights

This session will bring together academic perspectives on the evolving accessibility framework, highlighting the links between accessibility and the business ecosystem. Speakers will explore current research on digital inclusion, emerging trends in user needs and access barriers, and the ways in which innovation, including AI solutions, can support access to electronic communications services. The discussion will also propose insights into how research and innovation can complement regulatory and market efforts in shaping a more inclusive digital environment.

Through a multi-stakeholder dialogue, participants will explore the experiences and needs of end-users, supervisory and enforcement approaches across jurisdictions, market-led technical and operational solutions, as well as current academic research on digital inclusion and innovation, including the use of AI-based accessibility tools.

By fostering discussion across these different perspectives, the workshop aims to support the sharing of best practices, identify key challenges and opportunities, and strengthen cooperation among stakeholders. The discussions are intended to contribute to the development of an inclusive and future-proof digital ecosystem, ensuring that accessibility remains an integral part of innovation and market development.

Registration

Register your interest in joining this external workshop by filling out the registration form below. Please note that due to the limited seat capacity at the IRG Secretariat, the registration for in-person participation is closing once the limit of 40 registrations is reached. Following that, registrations are possible only for online participation.

The registration deadline is 29 May (Friday) 2026.

The connection details will be shared with registered participants ahead of the workshop.