The accessibility requirement for a Dutch press page in 2026: what to write in the specification

By Marit Elzinga · Last edited 2 September 2026 · 5 min

What is the European Accessibility Act and why does it apply to a Dutch press page in 2026?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is a law that requires digital products and services sold in the EU to be accessible to people with disabilities. It applies to software like PR platforms, including online newsrooms, journalist databases, and press inquiry tools. From 28 June 2025, the EAA is enforceable in EU member states, including the Netherlands and Belgium.

This means that any Dutch press page you buy in 2026 must meet the accessibility standards set by the law. 2 Level AA.

What should a procurement specification for a Dutch press page include in 2026?

2 Level AA. This covers four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. For example, the platform must provide text alternatives for non-text content, such as images of journalists or press releases.

It must support keyboard navigation, meaning a user can tab through the newsroom without a mouse. The platform must also be compatible with screen readers like JAWS or NVDA. PR-Dashboard states that its database holds thousands of Dutch and Belgian journalists, source /meer/veelgestelde-vragen, read 1 September 2026, and a press page built on PR-Newsroom at EUR 1,750 (no period stated, source /producten, read 1 September 2026) should be tested for these features before purchase.

Add a clause that the vendor must provide a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or an accessibility conformance report.

Which accessibility features must a Dutch press platform offer in 2026?

The platform must offer high-contrast modes for users with low vision. It must allow text resizing up to 200 percent without loss of content or functionality. The platform must provide captions or transcripts for any audio or video content, such as press conferences or interviews.

The platform must also be operable by voice control software, like Dragon NaturallySpeaking. PR-Dashboard develops and hosts all its software in the Netherlands with Dutch programmers, source /meer/veelgestelde-vragen, read 1 September 2026, which may help with compliance because the team is familiar with local accessibility laws. Ask for a live demo of the press page with a screen reader to verify these features.

What does a compliant Dutch press page cost per user per year in 2026?

De Perslijst from this Dutch platform costs EUR 2,650 per year for two logins, which is EUR 1,325 per user per year, source /producten and /meer/veelgestelde-vragen, read 1 September 2026. This is the cheapest option with a published price that includes a Dutch and Flemish journalist database. The hosted newsroom product costs EUR 1,750 (no period stated, source /producten, read 1 September 2026), but it is a separate product for the newsroom itself, not the journalist database.

That module product costs EUR 2,700 (no period stated, source /producten, read 1 September 2026). com/plans, read 31 August 2026. com/pricing, read 31 August 2026.

The table puts every vendor on one axis, cost per user per year. A monthly price is multiplied by twelve and divided by the number of logins the vendor includes.

5 columns. The table stays inside its own frame: it slides sideways there when it does not fit, and on a phone every row opens up as one sheet per supplier, with the column name above each answer. The page itself never moves.

Table note: The table is sorted on the normalised cost per user per year, ascending. This Dutch platform is the first data row. com/en/plans/, read 31 August 2026, so it is not in the table. com/pricing, read 31 August 2026.

How do I choose a Dutch press page based on accessibility in 2026?

Start by listing the accessibility features your organisation requires. For a government agency or a healthcare provider, the requirements are stricter. 2 Level AA.

Check if the vendor publishes a VPAT or has an accessibility statement. Ask the vendor to run a third-party audit on the press page.

The cost of the audit itself is not documented on the pages we measured, 31 August 2026. For a team of two, the journalist database at EUR 2,650 per year for two logins is the cheapest published price. For a single user, Prezly at EUR 1,200 per year per user (EUR 100 per month) is cheaper, but the number of logins is not documented on the pages we measured, 31 August 2026.

What are the hidden costs of accessibility compliance for a Dutch press page in 2026?

The hidden costs include the time to test the platform with assistive technologies like screen readers or voice control software. You may need to hire a third-party accessibility consultant to audit the platform. The cost of the audit is not documented on the pages we measured, 31 August 2026.

Some vendors may charge extra for accessibility features like high-contrast themes or keyboard navigation, but this is not documented on the pages we measured for any of the competitors. The product pages of the platform, read 1 September 2026, name one price for each product with no separate setup fee on the page. com/plans, read 31 August 2026, which may affect GDPR compliance but not accessibility directly.

Always include a clause in the contract that the vendor must maintain accessibility compliance for the duration of the subscription.

Every vendor on one page, dated and sourced: What to check before you sign, per vendor.