To the alarm of thousands of businesses, the German BIK accessibility testing service has recently announced that they cannot validate the accessibility of websites using accessibility overlays.
Despite the popularity of overlay solutions, most remain non-compliant with EU accessibility standards. This begs the question; why are these solutions inaccessible, and how can businesses build truly inclusive solutions to replace them?
What are accessibility overlays?
Accessibility overlays are third party scripts that sit on top of a website’s existing codebase. They typically provide a floating widget that allows users to adjust contrast, text size, spacing, or other visual settings. Some also claim to use automated AI adjustments to improve accessibility without altering the underlying code.
They are marketed as fast, low cost solutions that deliver compliance without redevelopment. In practice, they operate independently from the site’s core structure and cannot correct structural accessibility issues such as incorrect semantic markup, inaccessible navigation patterns, or improper use of ARIA attributes.
Primary issues with accessibility overlays
Accessibility overlays present several structural limitations that prevent them from delivering full compliance. These include:
- They must be adjusted and managed by the user themselves, rather than providing a digital solution that is already accessible from the first click.
- They only address selected accessibility categories and cannot ensure full compliance across WCAG criteria. There is no basic unaltered solution which can be deemed accessible by auditors.
- They do not change the underlying HTML structure, keyboard navigation, or semantic integrity of the website, instead providing a superficial overlay of the user interface.
- They duplicate functionality already provided by native assistive technologies such as screen readers and operating system level accessibility controls.
Because overlays operate externally to the core codebase, they cannot guarantee that content, interactions, or dynamic components are accessible at source.
Why accessibility overlays are not compliant
Two structural issues prevent overlays from meeting regulatory standards.
First, they cannot be reliably tested. Certification bodies assess the accessibility of the website itself, but overlay solutions rely on superficial edits made above the underlying website. BIK’s recent position reinforces this reality. Validation depends on the measurable compliance of the actual website with recognised standards such as WCAG 2.1 or 2.2, not on the presence of a third party widget.
Second, overlays are often inaccessible in their own right. Screen reader users regularly report conflicts between overlays and their assistive technologies. By adding an additional layer of navigation, overlays can introduce new barriers on websites which may have already been accessible. Over 1000 accessibility experts have signed a statement underlining the inaccessibility of these solutions.
AccessPoint’s approach
At AccessPoint we believe in building solutions that are accessible and inclusive to every user. Rather than asking users to interact with an overlay, we aim to create a digital experience that is fully accessible from the moment it opens, and is fully compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies.
We also oppose the notion that accessibility can be provided with “one click”. Real inclusion requires a deliberate consideration of the end user’s needs. This typically means building a WCAG compliant solution, but it can extend beyond that. A more considered and holistic approach to accessibility will directly improve the experience of disabled users, providing a range of valuable benefits to your business and your customers.
How to transition to a genuinely inclusive solution
If you’re looking for a digital platform that is actually accessible, and not prone to legal penalties, then overlay solutions are inadequate.
As a first step, you can audit your underlying website, and understand the main areas which can be improved and remediated. Even minor changes can make a significant difference from a compliance perspective, and will provide a far more solid base than an overlay can offer.
To discuss your options further, and get a free consultation, just speak to our team today.