Overlay and Widget Providers Assert False Claims and Irresponsible Marketing

Widgets and overlays such as AccessiBe and UserWay mask, but do not fix the underlying accessibility issues and are even harmful to the very people they purport to assist.

Further, these companies even go so far as to say they will protect the website owner from lawsuits. The facts are, they can’t and they don’t.

Lawsuits filed against companies using these overlays or widgets for accessibility were filed at a rate of one-a-day by the end of 2020.

Lawsuits against companies whose websites use overlays to achieve accessibility have nearly tripled in the latter part of 2020. (Usablenet, 2020 data analysis)

The National Federation of the Blind has even banned AccessiBe From Its National Convention because it “… believes that accessiBe currently engages in behavior that is harmful to the advancement of blind people in society.” Largest U.S. Blind Advocacy Group Bans Web Accessibility Overlay Giant AccessiBe From Its National Convention Forbes | Gus Alexiou | Jun 26, 2021

Many website owners have turned to “overlay” products like AccessiBe and UserWay as an instant ADA compliance fix. An overlay is a toolbar or widget that, when activated, presents users with options such as changing a website’s color scheme, enlarging text, pausing animations, etc., but these are ineffective on their own. There’s no quick fix for making your digital experiences accessible. Forbes | May 27, 2021

In fact, “More than 200 cases were against companies that used accessibility widgets or overlays. These solutions do nothing to make a website more accessible for the blind. Because issues are not resolved and code is not fixed, plaintiff “testers” find violations. Widget and overlay vendors didn’t protect companies from ADA lawsuits.” WIDGETS AND OVERLAYS FAIL TO PROTECT COMPANIES | UsableNet | Dec 21, 2020

In fact, “Blind people say AccessiBe, which is supposed to automatically make websites more compatible with the screen readers blind people rely on to access the internet, has prevented them from all sorts of normal activities online, like paying rent, teaching a class or buying Christmas gifts.” Blind people, advocates slam company claiming to make websites ADA compliant NBC News | April Glaser | May 9, 2021

Adirondack Website Design is committed to providing accessible websites for all of our clients and all of their users.

Additional Information

• “We view these kinds of [website accessibility overlay] products as actively harmful, and a step backwards for digital accessibility efforts.” Should I use an accessibility overlay? The A11Y Project Team | The A11Y Project | March 8, 2021

• From a website accessibility defense attorney: Is there a silver bullet for ADA website accessibility? Sorry, but the answer is no. Accessibility Defense | Richard M. Hunt, Attorney-at-Law | March 31, 2020

• “Fear of lawsuits drives purchase of widgets but using an overlay won’t protect you from lawsuits” Honor the ADA: Avoid Web Accessibility Quick-Fix Overlays Lainey Feingold, Attorney-at-Law | August 10, 2020

• #accessiBe Will Get You Sued Adrian Roselli | Consultant, Writer, Speaker | June 29, 2020

• #UserWay Will Get You Sued Adrian Roselli | Consultant, Writer, Speaker | September 13, 2021

• Is Deploying an Accessibility Overlay or Widget Better Than Doing Nothing? Timothy Springer | CEO, Level Access | July 14, 2020

• Overlays are not the solution to your accessibility problem Sheri Byrne-Haber, CPACC | Disability Advocate | January 14, 2020