Accessibility Overlay Widgets are Not the Solution (and What to do Instead)

You’ve seen them–the little stick figure icon hanging out in the bottom corner of a website offering a menu of options like increase font size, dark mode, and screen reader. These tools, called accessibility overlay widgets, are marketed as a quick fix for digital accessibility. At least they were until the U.S. government imposed a $1 million fine on a vendor for deceptive advertising.

To many web designers, especially those unfamiliar with accessibility standards, these overlays look like a helpful shortcut. But as someone who has worked with state government agencies and special districts for 23 years, and specializes in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance, I can confidently tell you that overlays are not the answer.

In fact, they have a tendency to make things worse for users, for compliance, and for your legal exposure. Let’s get into why these overlays should not be part of your accessibility strategy.

What Are Accessibility Overlays?

Accessibility overlays, aka widgets, are third-party tools delivered via a few lines of javascript, that sit on top of your website’s code and attempt to fix accessibility issues automatically. They typically come with a menu of features like contrast toggles, screen reader modes, font resizing, and more.

On the surface this sounds really helpful but as they currently stand today, they’re the opposite.

Why Accessibility Widgets Are a Bad Idea

They Interfere with Assistive Technology

People with disabilities already use assistive technology tailored to their needs including screen readers, braille displays, magnifiers, speech input, and custom contrast or zoom settings. Overlays often clash with these tools by:

• Hijacking or breaking keyboard navigation
• Creating poor or unreadable screen reader output
• Overriding browser zoom or custom contrast settings
• Disabling right-click or basic browser functions

Instead of helping users, these widgets create a confusing and frustrating experience for the very people they claim to support.

They Only Catch a Fraction of Accessibility Issues

Most overlays fix superficial problems like color contrast or font size but fail to detect deeper WCAG violations like:

• Missing form labels
• Incorrect heading hierarchy
• Focus management issues
• ARIA misuse

They Give a False Sense of Compliance

Many businesses install overlays thinking they’re covered but compliance doesn’t come from adding a widget, it comes from designing and building accessible websites from the ground up. Relying on overlays leads to:

• Poor user experiences
• Inaccessible content behind modals or menus
• A false sense of security
• Legal exposure from law firms seeking out websites using these widgets

They Create a Clunky User Experience

Overlays often:

• Slow down page load times
• Cover important content
• Require activation via mouse, which excludes keyboard-only users
• Don’t work well across all browsers or mobile devices

They Introduce New Accessibility Barriers

Ironically, some overlays add problems instead of solving them:

• Dynamic content gets announced incorrectly or not at all
• They cause confusion with multiple navigation paths
• Popup menus can trap focus or break layout
• They override custom user settings

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), which oversees WCAG, does not endorse overlays.

WCAG is the global standard for digital accessibility. Both the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and the U.S. Section 508 require government agencies to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), which oversees WCAG, does not endorse overlays. Neither does the broader accessibility expert community. In fact, hundreds of accessibility professionals have signed open letters calling for an end to overlay use.

They’re a Legal Liability

In the U.S., lawsuits related to ADA compliance are on the rise and overlays are being targeted. Plaintiffs’ attorneys know that overlays often signal non-compliance behind the scenes.

One major overlay vendor was even fined by the U.S. government for deceptive marketing by advertising their widget as a compliance solution when it wasn’t.

In the EU, enforcement of the European Accessibility Act is ramping up. Businesses relying on overlays should expect similar scrutiny soon.

True Accessibility is Built-in, Not Bolted-on

Making your website accessible without an overlay is totally doable and easier than you may think.

• Design: focus on clear structure, color contrast, and readable typography from the start.
• Code: use proper HTML elements to convey meaning and structure, ARIA only when necessary, and test regularly with real assistive technology.
• Keyboard accessibility: ensure all interactive elements are operable via keyboard.
• Alt text for images: provide descriptive alternative text for all meaningful images.
• Color contrast: maintain sufficient contrast between text and background.
• Responsive design: design for various devices and screen sizes.
• Test with real tools: tools like axeDev, WAVE, ANDI, and screen readers like NVDA, TalkBack, and VoiceOver will help you understand how real users experience your website.
• Conduct yearly accessibility audits: hire companies with individuals who have disabilities and are certified by industry accepted organizations like the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
• Fix root issues: don’t rely on band-aids–fix the actual code!

By embedding accessibility into the core of your design and development processes, you create inclusive experiences that serve all users effectively and comply with legal standards naturally.

Accessibility isn’t a widget. It’s a practice.

Accessibility isn’t something you slap on a site after the fact. It’s an ongoing commitment that begins with your Digital Accessibility Policy and is carried out through your content strategy, design standards, development workflows, and internal compliance processes. That means regular testing, maintenance, and accountability measures to ensure accessibility remains a living part of your digital governance, not just a checkbox.

While accessibility overlays might seem like an easy fix or a shortcut, in reality they’re a detour. If you’re serious about digital accessibility, overlays are the wrong road. Ditch the shortcuts and build digital experiences that truly work for everyone. Your users–and your legal team–will thank you.