Equal Access vs. Substitute Services

Table of Contents

Understanding the European Accessibility Act

“When your rental car breaks down, you expect a replacement car, not a bus voucher. Equal access means providing the same service, not a workaround that fundamentally changes your journey.”

– Neil Barnfather, CCO, GoodMaps

This distinction is at the heart of what the European Accessibility Act (EAA) expects venues to understand about digital accessibility.

The EAA and Indoor Navigation #

Starting June 28, 2025, the EAA requires that people with disabilities can access services “on an equal basis with others.” For indoor navigation, this means wayfinding solutions must deliver the same independence and ease of use as those available to sighted users – without compromise.

Equal Access Requirements for Navigation #

GoodMaps is built from the ground up to meet and exceed the EAA’s functional requirements:

  • WCAG 2.1: Ensures interfaces are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.
  • EN 301 549: Guarantees compliance with harmonized European ICT accessibility standards.

Together, these standards ensure navigation information is available in multiple formats, supports diverse user interactions, and integrates seamlessly with assistive technologies, delivering real-time positioning, smooth integration, and unrestricted access.

To comply, indoor navigation solutions must provide:

  • Autonomous Functionality: No human intermediaries required.
  • Real-time Positioning: Accurate, continuous location updates.
  • Seamless Integration: Embeddable within venue apps and systems.
  • Unrestricted Availability: No usage limits or platform instability.

The Compliance Gap #

Many existing services – ranging from staff-mediated assistance to infrastructure-based systems and third-party AI or volunteer networks – are invaluable and often excel at their intended purpose: offering essential support that can be life-changing in many contexts.

However, as substitute services, they do not fulfill the EAA’s requirements for equal, independent access:

  • Human Intervention: Passenger-assist schemes and similar services rely on staff, requiring advance booking and limiting user independence.
  • Capacity & Geographic Constraints: Support is only available where staff or volunteers are present, leaving many locations and times uncovered.
  • Infrastructure Dependencies: Systems using visual anchor points need physical installation and maintenance. As a result, they are unusable where codes are missing or inaccessible.
  • Third-Party Networks: Apps relying on remote agents or AI introduce delays, usage limits, privacy concerns, and are subject to network or service outages.

Although these approaches are invaluable for many users and scenarios, they alter or restrict the user experience, rather than providing the seamless, autonomous navigation the EAA demands. Only fully digital, infrastructure-free solutions – like GoodMaps – can deliver true equal access.

Setting the Standard for EAA-Compliant Navigation #

GoodMaps is proud to lead the way in accessible indoor navigation, offering a robust, future-proof solution that empowers everyone to navigate independently.

Infrastructure-Free Technology: #

  • LiDAR & AI positioning with sub-30 cm accuracy
  • No beacons, codes, or installations required
  • Lightning-fast localization – within one or two seconds

Universal Access Features: #

  • Full screen reader compatibility (VoiceOver and TalkBack)
  • Step-free routing with stair and escalator avoidance
  • Multi-language support, haptic feedback, and customizable audio

Professional Implementation: #

  • Successfully deployed at PDX, SDF, Network Rail, Sound Transit, and more
  • Real-time updates via GoodMaps Studio
  • 24/7 availability: no time limits, no volunteer dependencies

Legal & Business Reality #

Non-compliance with the EAA risks fines up to €500,000 and significant reputational damage. The EAA embeds accessibility into core services; volunteer-based, agent-mediated, or code-dependent alternatives simply do not satisfy its requirements.

Bottom Line: Equal Access Means Autonomous Navigation #

To meet the EAA’s vision for services “on an equal basis with others,” venues must provide autonomous, digital navigation – not substitute assistance. GoodMaps seamlessly combines EAA-aligned design with WCAG 2.1 and EN 301 549 compliance, delivering the independence and functionality the legislation envisions.

Ready to deliver true equal access? Contact GoodMaps at info@goodmaps.com for EAA-compliant indoor navigation that empowers everyone.

Updated on July 28, 2025