By: Jennie Delisi, Office of Accessibility

The Office of Accessibility invests time learning about all kinds of products that may improve accessibility and usability for people using the state’s digital technology. We also look into products that help state employees create more accessible and usable documents, websites, software, mobile apps, etc. We focus on a blend of efficiently providing information in a way that people can easily use.

We receive many questions about products that claim to automatically, or with the push of a button, fix accessibility for end users. Many of these products claim that this reduces the time (and therefore cost) of providing technology that is accessible and usable by people with disabilities. The products claim that adding a tool to a webpage or set of webpages make it easier for people, specifically end users, to use your site without effort by your web developers to address accessibility requirements. 

One example that comes up frequently is something called an accessibility overlay. These are tools that are added by a site owner and used by the site visitors. To the end user, they appear like a button on the page (more on this in the next section).

Do these products deliver? It depends on many factors. Do you need the products? Maybe. You don’t need it to create accessible content because there are ways to make content accessible without it. Sometimes the products degrade your accessibility for users of assistive technology and therefore reduce your compliance. 

This article discusses what overlays are, how they are used, and what you need to consider before using them.

Overlays

An overlay in the digital accessibility sense is like an easy button. It visually appears somewhere on the page. Sometimes it appears just after the webpage loads. Users typically encounter an icon to let them know it is there. The end user selects the icon. This opens a panel with options. The person chooses preferences that apply to pages within that set of pages. This may include:

• Applying a profile for  people with a particular group of disabilities (example: vision impaired/low vision).
• Applying specific changes to the visual display of the content (example: changes to font size or color contrast).

Some people may consider this a way for users to make a site work better for their personal needs. Choice can be a good thing. However, choice for some people should not prevent others from using the same site.

Minnesota’s Digital Accessibility Requirements

All State of Minnesota executive branch agencies must ensure that their content meets the state’s digital accessibility standard. You can learn what this requires on our webpage: Statutory Basis for Accessibility. Individual agencies may have additional requirements, such as specific plain language requirements. 

There are times when an agency or government program may have specific goals, such as increased usability. Sometimes these goals center around a specific group of people who use their information. These would go above and beyond the digital accessibility standard. Our office encourages these efforts! For example, while the digital accessibility standard requires A and AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG), it encourages complying with AAA success criteria when possible.

Consider How People Use  the Information

Consider the user’s path to get to your website. Most likely people are not using computers that are set up to display your website as soon as it powers on. If they truly need special tools to use your website, they also need tools to get to your website. For example, they may need:

• A person to help them. This is not ideal, however, this may be the path for several groups of users. This may especially be true for: 
  • People with less computer literacy skills.
  • People newly diagnosed with a disability.
  • People without access to services (for a variety of reasons).
• Assistive technology (AT). These special tools provide the same options as the products we are discussing, however, they work for multiple websites. And, they may help the person:
  • Launch the browser.
  • Perform a search.
  • Read the search results.
  • Use their bookmarks.

When we consider person-centered planning, universal design, and design thinking – all part of  usability (UX) – they all ask the same question: what do our users really need? Learning about customers is the greatest investment. This will guide us to create better digital information. If the people using your digital information say they are having trouble using the site, spend some time learning about why. 

Connect Users to Information They Need

Help your site visitors learn more about options to improve their independence. One claim that is made by some products is that some users don’t know they need assistive technology but find those features helpful. They may not have even heard of assistive technology. 

However, you can do this without special tools, depending on the skillset of your team. You can share information about assistive technology and computer literacy skill development by providing:

• Short videos that share the information.
• Sections of text with an option to hear them read aloud. For this, you can use a recording. Place a “play” button next to the onscreen text.

You can also place your group’s contact information in an easy to find location. For people who find using a webpage difficult, connecting with a person from your group may be easiest.

When users need assistive technology

If your website visitors say they can’t use the site because they don’t have assistive technology, your video or recorded audio (next to text) can share information about how to get their own assistive technology. In Minnesota, the Minnesota STAR program helps people learn: 

• What types of assistive technology are available.
• How to work with someone who can show you different options that may help you.
• How to borrow equipment to try it out.
• Different ways people can access the technology.

The STAR program is an Assistive Technology Act program. There are similar programs in other states. The National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center has a list of State/Territory AT Programs. 

If users need digital literacy skills

If a user’s issue is because they need computer or smartphone literacy skills, then provide information about local programs offering this. In Minnesota, programs and information are available from places like:

• Libraries.
• Minnesota Unemployment Insurance – update job skills webpage. 
• Minnesota Department of Educations’ digital literacy and internet safety webpage. 

Considerations for Buying an Overlay Solution

Some of the products available claim they improve your site’s accessibility. Do your research before considering any purchase. And, if you work for government, follow the proper purchasing process. Be sure to know:

• The current state of your site’s digital accessibility. If you are not sure, hire a company to complete a test for you. Use a company that does not sell a solution product. This will help ensure there is no conflict of interest.
• The cost to improve your site’s digital accessibility. If you put together a road map or plan you can budget for improvements of your current site over time.
• The potential risks you may take on by using a solution that “fixes” your site’s accessibility.

Some products that offer accessibility via overlay may actually add risk for your group. Several lawsuits have been filed recently related to this type of solution. Before proceeding, you may want to do some research to become more informed about the complaints made in litigation.

Using This Type of Product

After doing your research, if you decide to use one of these tools, take these next important steps.

1. Consider adding into your vendor negotiations a way to not use a product if testing shows accessibility issues after applying their product.
2. Have a skilled accessibility tester review the product in use with your site before it is available to your users.
3. Do not use the tool if it negatively impacts the accessibility of your website.

Another Path

Consider some training for staff who want to “kick the accessibility tires” to either confirm the findings of a testing company or tester, and/or anticipate potential accessibility issues. While this does not replace having a complete accessibility test done for your site by a well-trained accessibility tester, it does ensure that your group has a base level of understanding.

For example, staff could:

• Begin by reviewing free learning opportunities like the Easy Checks and the Digital Accessibility Foundations course from the W3C.
• Learn how to use automated testing tools like WAVE or ANDI (tools linked in a recent newsletter article: WCAG 2.1 – Improving Digital Accessibility).
• Use paid materials from one of several vendors that offer this type of coursework.

In Summary

So, do you need the products? No. You can have accessible websites without them. In fact, sometimes the products degrade your accessibility for users of assistive technology and therefore reduce your compliance. Your goal of increased usability is excellent.   

Focus on your goals:

• Listen to your end users. Find out what makes using your site difficult.
• Learn more about digital accessibility and usability. The current state of your site, what you can do to improve it.
• Make well-researched decisions before purchasing technology solutions.

And, get quality advice on this topic from your organization’s digital accessibility team. Partner with them to review your current site, and any products you are considering.