The European Disability Forum (EDF) and the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) say “no.” According to their joint statement, overlays not only fail to meet compliance standards but may even create new barriers for users with disabilities.
Let’s explore why overlays aren’t the answer and what steps you can take instead to ensure true accessibility.
What is an accessibility overlay?
An accessibility overlay is a software add-on for websites, designed to offer user-facing features like text-to-speech, magnification, contrast adjustments, or color controls. These overlays claim to improve accessibility, often by detecting and “fixing” certain elements automatically. However, the EDF and IAAP caution that overlays may do more harm than good.
Overlays often duplicate accessibility functions already built into mainstream web browsers and operating systems, such as screen magnification and text resizing. Additionally, they can interfere with assistive technologies like screen readers, Braille displays, or alternative input devices, which are vital tools for many users with disabilities.
Why overlays fall short of EAA compliance
Despite their promises, overlays do not meet the EAA’s requirements for accessibility. Here’s why:
- Incomplete fixes: Overlays only address surface-level issues without tackling the root problems in a website’s code. True accessibility requires fixing the underlying code so that all users can access content, interact with elements, and navigate the site without barriers.
- Interference with assistive technologies: Many users with disabilities rely on assistive technology (e.g., screen readers or voice control) that’s configured to their personal needs. Overlays can override these settings, causing confusion or blocking access to content entirely.
- Privacy concerns: Some overlays automatically detect assistive technology, which can identify a user’s disability status. Because disability data is sensitive, this kind of tracking poses serious privacy concerns without user consent.
Key issues with accessibility overlays
1. Overlays often interfere with assistive technology
Assistive technologies are highly personalized. Users with disabilities carefully set up their devices and software to navigate websites effectively. Overlays, however, can disrupt these settings by forcing users into a standardized experience. Instead of empowering users, overlays can make navigation harder by conflicting with the assistive technology’s controls and preferences, blocking access instead of enhancing it.
2. Overlays replicate features already available in browsers
Many of the functionalities that overlays provide, like magnification or color adjustments, are already available in mainstream web browsers and operating systems. Users can adjust font size, contrast, and zoom directly in their browsers. Relying on overlays is redundant and can introduce complications when these features conflict with the user’s existing settings.
3. Overlays create privacy concerns
Some overlays detect when assistive technology is being used. While this might seem helpful, it means the overlay identifies that the user has a disability, which is sensitive personal information. Since overlays don’t always allow users to opt out of this detection, they can unintentionally breach privacy, especially for those who don’t want or need this tracking.
4. Overlays don’t provide full accessibility or compliance
Overlays may give the impression of improved accessibility but do not address the full requirements of the EAA or standards like WCAG 2.1. True compliance requires the website’s code to be accessible, rather than relying on superficial fixes. By failing to meet these standards, overlays mislead website owners into thinking their sites are accessible and compliant when they are not.
The importance of real accessibility for EAA compliance
The EAA mandates that public and private organizations provide digital content that’s accessible to all. This means building websites that are compatible with assistive technologies from the ground up, not relying on temporary overlays. According to EDF and IAAP, making accessibility the responsibility of the website owner—not the user—is the only way to ensure inclusivity and compliance.
When accessibility is baked into a website’s core code, it supports all users and respects their individual needs and device configurations. An accessible website considers things like semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and adaptable content. This approach ensures all users, regardless of their preferred devices or assistive technology, can use the site without barriers.
Real steps to achieve EAA compliance
Instead of overlays, EDF and IAAP recommend that businesses seeking EAA compliance should:
- Conduct a full accessibility audit: Begin by identifying the current accessibility barriers on your site. Tools like Silktide can run comprehensive audits that reveal compliance gaps, giving you a roadmap to meet EAA standards.
- Fix the code, don’t mask the problem: Accessibility overlays only offer surface-level solutions. To truly meet the EAA, you’ll need to address the actual code to ensure compatibility with assistive technology and usability for all.
- Engage accessibility experts: Bringing in digital accessibility specialists helps you address accessibility at a foundational level, making improvements that are more thorough and effective. Silktide’s tools provide detailed guidance that supports each step of the compliance journey, from initial assessments to ongoing monitoring.
- Test with real users: The best way to ensure accessibility is to test your site with people who rely on assistive technology. Feedback from users with disabilities can reveal usability issues that automated tools might miss.
- Train your team on accessibility best practices: Accessibility isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing commitment. Training your team on accessible design and development ensures that every update, feature, and piece of content you add meets accessibility standards.
- Implement continuous monitoring: Websites evolve over time, so monitoring accessibility regularly is essential. Platforms like Silktide offer ongoing scans to help you catch and fix accessibility issues as they arise, ensuring you stay compliant with the EAA over the long term.
Overlays aren’t a substitute for true accessibility
While accessibility overlays might sound appealing as a quick fix, they simply don’t deliver the full accessibility needed to comply with the EAA. Instead, focus on creating an inclusive website from the ground up. By conducting audits, fixing code, engaging accessibility experts, and implementing ongoing monitoring, you can build a digital presence that meets the EAA requirements and provides a genuinely accessible experience for all users.
Accessibility is not about ticking boxes—it’s about making sure everyone can access and enjoy your digital content. And with the right tools and approach, achieving compliance is not only possible but sustainable.