Why Overlay Tools Will Not Make Your Website Accessible
Why Overlay Tools Will Not Make Your Website Accessible
Overlay tools claim to make your site accessible with one click, but they fall short of real results. A proper accessibility test using both real users and website testing tools is the only way to meet legal standards. As the European Accessibility Act draws near, now is the time to understand the difference.
What Overlay Tools Actually Do
Overlay tools are software add-ons that sit on top of your website. They may allow users to change colours, adjust font sizes, or navigate with a keyboard. These surface-level features may appear helpful, but they do not fix the underlying code. If your forms are unlabelled, your headings are not structured properly, or your buttons cannot be accessed with a screen reader, an overlay will not fix those issues.
Some overlays even make websites harder to use. Screen reader users report blocked navigation, duplicated content, or unexpected behaviour caused by these tools. Instead of removing barriers, overlays often create new ones.
For a real solution, the website’s foundation must be accessible. That means fixing semantic HTML, labelling all elements correctly, ensuring proper tab order, and enabling interaction through multiple input methods.
The Purpose of an Accessibility Test
A real accessibility test does not rely on overlays or shortcuts. It starts with a thorough review of your website’s structure and function. At Access by Design, we use a combination of website testing tools and lived user experience to uncover what is working and what is not. Our testers are disabled users with real-world experience using assistive technology.
We test with screen readers, magnifiers, keyboard-only input, switch devices, and voice navigation tools. These tests show how your site performs in the real world, not just in theory. Issues that tools miss — such as confusing page flow, misleading link text, or inaccessible modal windows — are often revealed through this process.
Why Tools Alone Are Not Enough
There are many website testing tools available. They include browser plugins, automated scanners, and code validators. These tools are useful for flagging basic issues like missing alt text or colour contrast failures. However, they cannot test human experience. They do not know whether your site is logical, usable, or emotionally inclusive.
When used on their own, tools provide a false sense of security. You may believe your site is accessible because it passes an automated scan, but this does not mean it is usable for everyone. Combining accessibility test methods — technical checks and user feedback — is the only reliable approach.
Legal Problems Caused by Overlays
Overlay companies often claim that their tools bring legal protection. This is misleading. The European Accessibility Act requires websites to meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards in practice, not just in appearance. If a user with a disability cannot interact with your site, it is non-compliant — overlay or not.
Legal experts and disability advocacy organisations have warned against relying on overlays. In some cases, use of an overlay may be seen as evidence that you knew there was a problem and chose not to fix it properly. That creates more risk, not less.
Even outside the EU, courts in the United States have ruled against businesses using overlays when websites remained inaccessible. For example, [this article from Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2023/03/06/lawsuits-against-overlay-accessibility-tools-continue-to-rise/) outlines the growing number of lawsuits tied to overlay failures.
How We Use Website Testing Tools Effectively
We use website testing tools as part of a layered strategy. Our process starts with automated scans to flag common technical issues. These include empty links, incorrect heading levels, and missing ARIA labels. We then conduct manual code reviews to identify deeper problems, such as inaccessible forms or modals.
The next step is human testing. Our disabled testers explore your site using the same tools they rely on every day. Their insights are recorded and analysed. Combined with our technical report, this forms the basis of your remediation plan. This dual approach ensures that nothing is missed.
Why An Accessibility Test Matters to Real Users
Every accessibility test we deliver includes first-hand feedback from users with disabilities. This gives you clarity about what is truly accessible and what is not. It also shows you how your content and design choices affect people’s ability to engage with your business.
For example, a blind user may highlight that a product page cannot be navigated due to poor heading structure. A person with limited mobility might report that they cannot reach the checkout button using the keyboard. These are not things that automated tools will detect — but they are exactly what need to be fixed.
Why An Accessibility Test Is Worth Doing Properly
Real accessibility helps everyone. It improves user experience, reduces bounce rates, increases conversions, and protects your brand from legal or reputational damage. It also shows that your business takes inclusion seriously — which customers notice.
Most importantly, it creates a web that works for everyone. By going beyond overlay tools and investing in a full accessibility test process, you are building something that reflects your values as a business. That is powerful.
What We Offer Instead of Overlays
We provide full accessibility audits that combine website testing tools with live user feedback. Our reports include specific recommendations with clear priority levels, so you know what to fix first. We support your developer or can handle the remediation for you. We also produce a compliant accessibility statement to protect you while the work is underway.
We stay with you throughout the process. We retest, advise on future updates, and help embed accessibility into your wider digital strategy.
Next Steps
Overlay tools are not the answer. They do not protect you. They do not include real users. They do not deliver lasting results. A proper accessibility test will.
If you are ready to make your website truly accessible, learn more about our testing process or contact our team for a quick review. We will explain where you stand and what to do next. We are here to help.
