Salwa Al-Tahan
30/06/2025
June 28, 2025, wasn’t just another date on the calendar, it’s the day the European Accessibility Act (EAA) officially came into force. If you’re operating self-service kiosks or digital solutions in the EU, this isn’t just a compliance issue, it’s a business-critical shift. And the question is no longer “if” you need to meet accessibility standards, but “how quickly” can you get aligned.
What’s the EAA, Really?
On the positive, the EAA is the EU’s way of making sure that everyone including the 135 million people in Europe with disabilities can use digital products and services without barriers. That means kiosks, ATMs, ticketing machines, and info screens need to be accessible for everyone.
It matters for people who:
Can’t see the screen or those small buttons
Have trouble reaching or tapping the display
Might miss audio cues or spoken instructions
Get lost in complex menus or confusing interfaces
The EAA actually levels the playing field. Yes, avoiding fines (which can be significant) is a motivator, but the real win? Expanding your customer base and showing you genuinely care.
Why Most Kiosks Miss the Mark
Let’s be honest, most kiosks were designed for people with perfect vision, hearing, and dexterity. At the moment most are:
Touchscreens only ( a nightmare for some)
Visual info with no audio backup
Tiny text and confusing menus
One language
These aren’t intentional barriers, but they’re barriers all the same. And starting June 28, they’re not just inconvenient, they’re non-compliant under the EAA for all new products and services as of June 2025.
Voice AI: Your Secret Weapon for Accessibility
This is where Conversational Voice AI steps in. Imagine a kiosk that listens and talks back, guiding users through every step without the need to tap or squint. Here’s why Voice AI is your new MVP:
- Touch-Free: No more fumbling for buttons or struggling with the screen. Just speak, and the kiosk responds. This is huge for anyone with mobility or vision challenges.
Audio Guidance: Can’t see the screen? The kiosk talks you through it, step by step.
Natural Conversation: Forget endless menus. Just ask, “Where’s the nearest ATM?” or “How do I return this?” It’s as easy as chatting with a real person.
Multilingual: Voice AI can understand and reply in multiple languages, breaking down language barriers and making everyone feel welcome.
Private & Empowering: Users can get things done on their own, privately and confidently.
Voice-activated kiosks have been shown to reduce interaction times by 30%, improve order accuracy to over 98% with Sodaclick, and increase engagement by up to 40% among multilingual and visually impaired users making Voice AI not only accessible, but efficient and impactful.
Your EAA-Ready Checklist
Not sure where to start? Here’s your action plan:
Audit Your Kiosks: Take a hard look at every self-service point. What’s working? What’s not? Where are the biggest accessibility gaps?
Prioritise: Focus first on new kiosks and major updates. These must be EAA-compliant as of end of June 2025.
Add Voice AI: This isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore. Voice AI is one of the quickest, most effective ways to boost accessibility across verticals.
Stay Up to Date: Keep your systems updated, train your team, and look for continuous improvements.
Reach Out for Help: You don’t have to do it alone. Accessibility experts can guide you.
Conclusion:
The EAA isn’t just a regulatory box to tick. It’s an opportunity to build better, more inclusive experiences that actually grow your customer base and boost your brand’s reputation, and it’s a win-win for everyone.
If you want a deeper dive into why accessibility matters and how far we’ve come, check out our earlier blog: Ensuring Kiosk Accessibility is a Matter of Inclusivity.
The Bottom line:
The EAA is here. By embracing smart, scalable solutions like Conversational Voice AI, you’re not just staying compliant- you’re delivering self-service experiences that are intuitive, inclusive, and truly welcoming to all.
Ready to get compliant and create better experiences for everyone?
Contact sales@sodaclick.com to speak to our team.