Why Accessibility Overlays Don't Work
Overlay widgets promise instant ADA compliance with a single line of JavaScript. The reality: they don't fix your code, courts don't accept them as defense, and the FTC has already fined an overlay provider $1M for deceptive claims.
4 Reasons Overlays Fail
Overlay widgets inject JavaScript on top of your site but never fix the underlying HTML, ARIA attributes, or semantic structure. Screen readers still encounter the broken source code underneath.
In multiple ADA lawsuits (Murphy v. Eyebobs, Langer v. Grocery Outlet), courts ruled that overlays do not constitute an adequate accessibility remediation. Having an overlay provides zero legal protection.
In 2024, the FTC fined accessiBe $1M for deceptive marketing claims. The FTC found that their AI-powered overlay could not deliver the WCAG conformance they promised to customers.
The National Federation of the Blind and other disability advocacy groups have publicly opposed overlays. Overlays often interfere with the assistive technologies they claim to support, making sites worse, not better.
What Actually Works
Real ADA compliance requires fixing your actual source code — the HTML structure, ARIA attributes, color contrast, keyboard navigation, and semantic markup. There are no shortcuts.
- Automated scanning to find WCAG violations in your actual HTML and CSS
- AI-generated fix code that shows developers exactly what to change
- Ongoing monitoring to catch regressions as your site changes
- PDF compliance reports that document your remediation effort
Scan Your Site for Real Compliance
AccessiScan finds the actual WCAG issues in your source code and generates fix code — no overlay band-aids. Starting at $19/mo.