Overview
Overlays may seem like a quick fix, but they fall short of creating an accessible web experience. The key to true web accessibility lies in adhering to WCAG standards and involving accessibility experts and users with disabilities in the design and testing process.
In this episode of Equalify Snippets, Blake Bertuccelli-Booth, founder of Equalify, and Kevin Andrews, a certified web accessibility specialist, discuss the growing trend of accessibility overlays and why they might do more harm than good.
Key Topics Covered:
- What are Accessibility Overlays?
Overlays are tools that add an icon to a website, allowing users to change settings like contrast or text size. While they signal an intent to accommodate people with disabilities, they often fail to address underlying accessibility issues and can interfere with assistive technology like screen readers. - The User Experience with Overlays:
Kevin demonstrates how an overlay, such as AccessiBe, can confuse users by providing too much information upfront. The pop-up instructions—meant to help—can overwhelm users, especially when they cannot replay the information. These tools often interrupt the experience for people who rely on assistive technology, making it harder to navigate the site. - The Importance of Following WCAG Guidelines:
Blake explains that following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a more effective way to make websites accessible. He emphasizes that a well-crafted accessibility statement is more beneficial than an overlay. Websites that adhere to WCAG standards inherently provide accessibility features that overlays claim to offer. - The Real Impact of Overlays on Accessibility:
Equalify’s accessibility scans show that websites using overlays still have numerous accessibility issues. For example, Blake shares a scan of a website using the UserWay overlay, which revealed thousands of issues despite the tool’s presence. Overlays simply do not resolve the core accessibility problems that need attention. - Why Equalify Doesn’t Support Overlays:
Equalify does not offer overlay products because they don’t address the root cause of accessibility issues. Instead, Blake and Kevin advocate for building accessible websites from the ground up, following established guidelines, and working directly with users who rely on assistive technologies. - Resources for Further Learning:
To dive deeper into the issues surrounding overlays, Blake and Kevin recommend reading the Overlay FactSheet, a resource with nearly 900 signatures from accessibility experts who oppose overlays. They also highlight the work of Carl Groves, a respected voice in the field.
Stay tuned to Equalify Snippets for more discussions on key accessibility topics.