Accessibility overlays: what they are and why we don't use them
An accessibility overlay is a script you add to your website, usually with one line of code, that puts a toolbar or icon on every page. Overlays typically offer buttons to enlarge text, change contrast, or pause animations, and many also claim to repair code automatically. They're often sold on a monthly subscription.
We don't sell, install, or recommend them. Here's why, explained as fairly as we can.
What overlays can and can't change
Accessibility depends mostly on the underlying page: whether buttons are real buttons, whether form fields have labels, whether images have meaningful text alternatives, and whether everything works with a keyboard. Screen readers and other assistive technology read that underlying code.
An overlay runs on top of your page in the visitor's browser. It can try to guess and patch some things, but it can't reliably know what an unlabelled image means, what a confusing link should say, or how a custom menu was meant to work. Those need a person who understands the content to fix them at the source.
Many disabled users already have better tools
People who rely on assistive technology usually have it set up the way they like: a screen reader, magnification software, high-contrast settings, or browser zoom. A second set of controls on each website can duplicate those tools, and some users report that overlays interfere with them.
Many experts and disabled people object
Hundreds of accessibility practitioners and disabled people have signed the Overlay Fact Sheet, which explains their concerns and asks site owners not to rely on overlays. It's worth reading in full before you buy one.
What to do instead
- Find the real problems. Run a free scanner and do a keyboard test, or get an audit. Our guide on how to do an accessibility audit walks through it.
- Fix the highest-impact issues first. Missing form labels, keyboard traps, and unlabelled buttons block people outright. Start there.
- Fix the template, not just the page. On WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace, one theme fix often repairs every page at once.
- Build habits. Write alt text when you upload images, use real headings, and check contrast when you pick colors.
- Publish an honest accessibility statement with a way for people to tell you about problems.
If you already have an overlay
You don't need to panic or rush. Test your site with the overlay turned off to see what the underlying pages are like, fix those issues, and then decide whether the overlay is adding anything. If you'd like help, our audits test the site as visitors actually experience it, and note anywhere an overlay gets in the way.