Accessibility overlays: Are they really the best choice for your website?

Many website owners know that accessibility is important. They’re aware of the introduction of legislation that governs access to the digital world, such as the EU Web Accessibility Directive 2016/2102, which has applied since December 2016, and the European Accessibility Act (EEA), which comes into effect on 28 June 2025. 

But in the haste to become compliant, many owners rely on overlay tools in a bid to ensure their websites pass accessibility tests. Unfortunately that may not be the case. 

What are accessibility overlay tools? 

These are automated software solutions that modify the visual presentation of a website or add supplementary navigation aids to the website with third-party plugins or scripts. They usually come in the form of a toolbar, plugin, app, or widget. 

Popular features include the following: 

• Enhances website compatibility with screen readers, which are essential for visually impaired users. 
• Allows users to increase or decrease the font size for better readability. 
• Provides options to change colour schemes to improve visibility for users with visual impairments. 
• Improves navigation for users who cannot use a mouse and rely on keyboard shortcuts. 
• Adds descriptive tooltips and highlights focus elements for better orientation. 

Some overlays allow users to adjust settings according to their needs. However, their success is limited, and using an overlay doesn’t necessarily make websites accessible or compliant with European accessibility legislation. 

The goal is to make sure that everyone can participate fully and equally in the digital world. And the advantages of having an accessible website are innumerable: 

• Accessibility affects your customer base and, subsequently, your bottom line. In Ireland’s 2022 census more than 1.1 million people (22% of the population) reported experiencing at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty. An estimated 16.1 million people in the UK had a disability in 2022/23, accounting for 24% of the total population. This could make up a large number of potential customers who aren’t able to access a business’s website sufficiently to do business. 
• Web accessibility also boosts your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts and improves your website’s organic search rankings.
• An accessible design will improve user experience across the board. 
• Complying with accessibility laws and digital accessibility standards will ensure you don’t have any complaints or action taken against you. The financial implications can be quite serious – EAA breaches can result in a fine of up to €60,000 or imprisonment of up to 18 months or both if convicted on indictment. And this doesn’t take into account the reputation damage that comes with non-compliance. 

Should you use accessibility overlays? 

The European Disability Forum and International Association of Accessibility Professionals have warned that, although these tools can help some people, “similar features are already available in today’s browsers and devices – and some overlays can interfere with the other technology people with disabilities use to access online content (known as assistive technology).” 

They pointed out that: “Users of assistive technology already have their devices and browsers configured to their preferred settings. The overlay technology can interfere with the user’s assistive technology and override user settings, forcing people to use the overlay instead. This makes the website less accessible to some user groups and may prevent access to content.” 

Plus, relying solely on overlays might not be sufficient to fully meet accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

The important thing to know is that accessibility is deeply rooted in how content is structured and coded. If it is built into the site from the beginning it will make it easier for all users, including those relying on assistive technologies, to navigate and use the website. It’s also much quicker and efficient to do it this way rather than retrospectively trying to fix issues. 

Installing an overlay may also create a misconception that a website is accessible and compliant. The danger here is that it may give organisations a false sense of compliance. This can expose them to potential legal risks while meanwhile they are not investing into a comprehensive, long-term accessibility solution, such as reviewing and fixing the site’s content, design and code. Because overlays tend to introduce third-party scripts to the website they can also negatively affect the performance of a website, leading to slower loading times and frustration for users. 

Accessibility is about ensuring equal access and opportunity for all users, and overlays can fall short of this goal. 

The path towards true accessibility 

Rather than relying on overlays and plugins, organisations should adopt a comprehensive approach that prioritises authentic accessibility.

Here are some crucial steps to foster genuine accessibility on websites: 

Conclusion 

As websites started getting more complicated and the demand for accessibility first started to gain traction, many website owners sought to bridge the gap between an accessible and non-accessible website with overlays. 

Although they can offer some immediate improvements, they ultimately fall short of creating a truly inclusive digital environment. A far better way to achieve accessibility is to incorporate it into both the design and the development from the beginning. 

True accessibility requires a commitment to best practices in web development, ongoing testing, and a genuine understanding of the diverse needs of all users. By embracing a comprehensive approach that prioritises authentic accessibility, organisations can ensure their websites are genuinely inclusive, comply with web standards, and provide user-friendly experiences for all users – regardless of their abilities. 

Through committing to the principles of accessibility, organisations can demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and equal access for everyone.