As the internet expands at an extraordinary rate—with around 252,000 new websites created daily—the need for scalable, comprehensive digital accessibility solutions has become more pressing than ever. For accessibility advocates, this growth presents a daunting challenge. In a recent WebAIM survey, a staggering 96% of the top 1,000,000 website homepages were found to be inaccessible to people with disabilities, each averaging 56.8 accessibility errors—a 13.6% increase from 2023. Similarly, AudioEye’s scan of the top 40,000 websites, over 2 million webpages, in 2023 revealed an average of 37 accessibility issues per page.  

Despite our best efforts to date, we are falling behind. To quote ADA legal expert Dan Goldstein, “I am convinced we are losing ground — that technology is developing more rapidly than accessibility is progressing into the technology world.” 

The numbers above have not changed dramatically over the years and speak to a larger issue: to make any significant impact on digital accessibility, we must align on a path forward. Technology must play a role in fixing the sheer number of inaccessible websites. While this allows us to scale with the internet’s staggering growth, it brings us to a divisive topic often treated as the elephant in our virtual room: overlays.

Overlays in digital accessibility

Bear with me for a few lines as I share my thoughts on the controversial topic of overlays, specifically within the disability and accessibility realm. Upfront, it’s important to acknowledge organizations who proactively led efforts to engage the disability community, accessibility professionals, assistive technology vendors, and several leading accessibility providers. The goal was simple: find ways to work and collaborate together. Thank you to the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), and the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP).

Before any meaningful discussion can be had on how we move forward, we must start with a shared understanding. I’ve noticed over the years in talking with various respected colleagues in the industry that we don't all share the same definition when referring to overlays, leading to misaligned conversations and debates. For the purposes of our conversation here, here’s how I approach these definitions: 

O·ver·lay: a javascript-based technology that sits on top of website code to provide an added layer of functionality.

Web overlays as a mainstream technology are commonly rendered as content boxes that contain messages or forms, often appearing over the top of the main content hence the word, “overlay.” Website overlays include web analytic tools, like Google Analytics, that track customer interactions and ad personalization platforms that adjust content to meet unique user needs, often in real time. These overlays improve our digital experience by identifying unique user needs and often making real-time updates that can more accurately meet the needs of their consumers. There are countless technology overlays that users interact with on a daily basis. 

Conversely, within our industry, overlays positioned to replace assistive technology functionality are not acceptable. We often refer to these types of overlays as widgets. 

O·ver·lay widget: an onsite widget or toolbar meant to fix accessibility issues 

Overlay widgets can be activated to affect the appearance of a website, such as increasing the font size or color contrast. While this can sound like a win to a business owner looking to make their site more accessible, these widgets can interfere with assistive technology and create a more significant problem for people with disabilities.

However, overlay widgets can provide website personalization for people with temporary or minor visual disabilities, such as the elderly or users without access to assistive technologies. However, they do not solve accessibility at large. They are primarily intended to provide personalization enhancements for some users who are not familiar with accessibility systems or browser settings.

While similar in definition, an overlay and an overlay widget are not the same. I believe many who speak against the use of overlay widgets sometimes speak to overlays generally. 

There have been claims in our industry that an “accessibility widget” makes a company fully compliant with the legal requirements for accessibility under WCAG guidelines. These claims are unfortunate and do not represent the reality of these tools – and have rightly added to the controversy. I believe these disillusioned claims have caused a negative perception of overlay technology in general. 

A final point. Many will say that both types of overlays are a band-aid approach to digital accessibility. Even a javascript overlay, which can find and fix accessibility issues, does not solve the problem at the source code level. While this is true, as discussed earlier, the Internet is growing every minute and existing websites go through frequent content and site updates. Fixing accessibility at the code level is expensive and time-consuming, involves a deep level of expertise, and, at the end of the day, I believe cannot and will not work at scale.

Technology must be a part of the solution

To tackle digital accessibility at scale, technology must play a role—but technology alone won’t suffice. What’s needed is a combined approach: AI-driven tools that automate issue detection, skilled accessibility experts who provide custom fixes, and, where possible, adjustments made directly at the code level. Each element enhances the others, ensuring a solution that is both scalable and rooted in genuine inclusivity.

Overlay widgets are not part of the solution. They have no business masquerading as an accessibility solution.

The path forward

In the debate involving overlays and accessibility, it’s essential to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to creating an accessible internet. Overlay widgets, as standalone solutions, fall short of meeting the needs of people with disabilities and often hinder their user experience. However, the potential of javascript-based overlay technologies, when implemented as a complementary user interface in a comprehensive strategy, should not be dismissed. By combining technology’s scalability with the precision of human expertise, we can make significant strides toward more accessible, usable, and equitable digital experiences.

To truly address the persistent issue of inaccessible websites, we need a multi-faceted approach that includes AI-driven insights, skilled human testers, and adjustments at the code level. With the internet’s rapid growth, technology must work in tandem with human effort, each strengthening the other to ensure accessibility solutions are both robust and scalable.

Ultimately, achieving digital accessibility requires more than just technology; it demands a commitment to an accessible digital environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can engage fully and meaningfully. As we forge ahead, let’s move beyond shortcuts and quick fixes and focus on long-term, holistic solutions that reflect our dedication to true accessibility for all.