Accessibility Gains Ground in Cybersecurity: Funka Foundation Secures Role in EU Standards Development

A Turning Point for Inclusive Security

The Funka Foundation is a Swedish nonprofit organization working to advance digital accessibility and inclusion across Europe. Drawing on deep expertise, they deliver research, innovation, and practical solutions to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully in the digital world. Their approach is grounded in user involvement and a holistic view of accessibility, combining technical standards work, training, and policy development. By building partnerships and adopting a broad, inclusive perspective, Funka helps shape systems that are both equitable and effective.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act

The Cyber Resilience Act sets out stronger security requirements for digital products and software sold in the European Union. To implement this, European standards organizations CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI are drafting harmonized technical standards. Accessibility experts from Funka are now part of this process, helping to ensure the standards support inclusive design.

“At last, the kind of structural progress we’ve been championing in the accessibility and cyber worlds,” says Lawrence Shaw, CEO of AAAtraq. “Security measures that ignore accessibility don’t just leave people behind, they open the door to wider risk. Embedding accessibility into the standards from day one is a huge step towards smarter, safer systems.”

The Hidden Risk of Inaccessible Security

Essential security features like authentication, encryption, and automatic updates must be accessible to all users. Without inclusive design, individuals with disabilities may be forced to work around security systems. This not only compromises their experience but also undermines the security of entire systems.

Susanna Laurin, Managing Director and Chair of the Funka Foundation, explains: “Forgetting accessibility in security solutions risks creating problems for people with disabilities – and new security threats.”

This shift highlights a key point: excluding up to 15% of the population isn’t just unfair—it weakens the system as a whole.

Inclusion from the Ground Up

By shaping the standards from the beginning, Funka is helping ensure alignment between the Cyber Resilience Act and the European Accessibility Act (EAA). This integrated approach means future digital products will be both secure and inclusive by design.

Funka’s involvement spans both general and product-specific standards within CEN/CENELEC/JTC 13 WG9. Their mission is clear: make sure enhanced cybersecurity does not come at the expense of usability or accessibility.

This signals a much-needed shift—one that treats accessibility not as a compliance checkbox, but as a foundation for resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure.

Learn More

Read the full announcement here:

Accessibility makes new cybersecurity requirements more robust https://stiftelsenfunka.org/what-we-do/ongoing-projects/accessibility-makes-new-cybersecurity-requirements-more-robust/ (opens in a new window)