Tag: Website ADA Experts

The Benefits of Accessible Web Design for People with Cognitive Disabilities
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date July 16, 2023

The Benefits of Accessible Web Design for People with Cognitive Disabilities

In today’s digital age, having an accessible and inclusive online presence is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. However, many businesses overlook an important aspect of website design: accessibility for users with cognitive disabilities. At EcomBack, we specialize in ADA website design, ensuring that every website we create or modify is ADA and WCAG compliant. We work across various platforms, including Shopify, WordPress, SquareSpace, Wix, WooCommerce, Magento, Webflow, and BigCommerce, striving for a web environment where everyone has equal access to information and functionality.

The Importance of ADA Accessible Websites

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. Digital spaces, including websites, are also covered by this act. Consequently, ADA website compliance services are essential for businesses to ensure their online platforms are accessible to all users.

Our web accessibility compliance team understands the importance of creating an ADA-accessible website. Not only does it bring legal safety, but it also expands your audience, enhances user experience, and promotes social inclusion.

Website Accessibility and Cognitive Disabilities

People with cognitive disabilities may face a wide range of challenges when navigating websites. They could struggle with memory, attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions. Therefore, an ADA-accessible website designed with these challenges in mind can significantly enhance their online experience.

From simplifying website navigation to providing clear instructions, our ADA and WCAG compliance services ensure that your website is fully accessible and user-friendly for individuals with cognitive disabilities.

The Benefits of ADA and WCAG Compliance

ADA and WCAG compliance doesn’t just make your site accessible—it also brings along numerous benefits. Websites that comply with these standards are usually more user-friendly, with a clean design and intuitive navigation. Additionally, these websites tend to have better SEO performance, as search engines favor sites with accessible content.

EcomBack’s ADA website compliance services ensure that your website benefits from increased reach, improved user experience, and enhanced SEO performance.

Our Expertise Across Various Platforms

Whether you’re using Shopify, WordPress, SquareSpace, Wix, WooCommerce, Magento, Webflow, or BigCommerce, our web accessibility compliance team has the expert skills needed to manage and fix websites on these platforms.

We understand the unique features and potential accessibility challenges associated with each platform. Our team’s experience and expertise enable us to effectively create an ADA accessible website, regardless of the platform used.

Creating A More Inclusive Digital Environment

With the rise of e-commerce and digital spaces, we’ve become more connected than ever. Yet, this interconnectedness often forgets the needs of people with cognitive disabilities. EcomBack is passionate about bridging this digital divide. By adopting ADA website design, we’re ensuring that your site is accessible to all, including those with cognitive disabilities.

We’re not just aiming for ADA and WCAG compliance; our goal is to create websites that offer a seamless user experience for all. This approach enhances the online experience of users with cognitive disabilities, thus fostering an inclusive digital environment.

Driving Business Growth with ADA Accessible Websites

Accessible websites not only meet legal requirements and ethical standards but can also be a powerful tool for business growth. By making your website ADA accessible, you’re widening your reach to include all potential customers.

Moreover, search engines tend to rank accessible websites higher. This improved SEO performance can drive more organic traffic to your site, potentially increasing conversions and sales. So, an investment in ADA website compliance services is an investment in your business’s future.

Trust EcomBack for Your ADA Website Compliance Services

At EcomBack, we believe in the power of inclusivity in the digital world. Our expert web accessibility compliance team is dedicated to ensuring that your website is ADA and WCAG compliant. We take pride in our ability to create user-friendly websites that cater to all, including those with cognitive disabilities.

Trust EcomBack for your ADA website compliance services. Together, let’s create a more accessible, inclusive, and prosperous digital space for all.

Blog Banner featuring the topic "The Benefits of Accessible Web Design for Senior Citizens" accompanied by an image showcasing a person using a website on a laptop.
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date June 27, 2023

Understanding Accessibility: The Concept of ADA Website Design

The digital world is evolving rapidly, creating an unprecedented need for inclusivity and accessibility. At the forefront of this movement is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Website Design – an initiative that pushes the boundaries of traditional web design. The primary goal of ADA Website Design is to ensure that online experiences are universally accessible, including to senior citizens and those with disabilities.

EcomBack, a leading provider of ADA Website Compliance Services, leverages these principles to build websites that not only comply with ADA and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance but also offer an enhanced user experience. This commitment to inclusivity helps connect businesses with a broader audience, including the often-overlooked demographic of senior citizens.

The Power of ADA Accessible Website

With age, navigating the web can become challenging for senior citizens due to varying factors such as deteriorating eyesight, reduced mobility, or cognitive changes. An ADA accessible website, like those offered by EcomBack, can bridge this digital divide.

ADA accessibility features include adjustable text size, easily understandable content, and straightforward navigation pathways. These considerations enable senior citizens to comfortably engage with online platforms, leading to enhanced interaction and customer engagement. When websites are designed with ADA and WCAG compliance in mind, they create a more inclusive digital landscape that empowers all users.

ADA Website Compliance Services: A Key to Inclusivity

EcomBack’s ADA website compliance services ensure that websites are accessible to the widest range of users. This means meeting ADA and WCAG compliance standards by implementing features such as text alternatives for non-text content, captions for multimedia, and options to adjust colors and contrast for improved visibility.

By focusing on ADA website compliance services, EcomBack helps businesses unlock a massive and often untapped market segment. Seniors, as active consumers, bring substantial economic power to the table, and ignoring their needs could mean missing out on a significant opportunity.

How EcomBack Leads in ADA and WCAG Compliance

At EcomBack, we recognize the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. Our team is proficient in ADA and WCAG compliance, using these guidelines as a benchmark for all our website designs. With our tailored ADA website compliance services, we guarantee that your website will cater to the widest possible audience, including senior citizens.

Implementing these standards helps businesses expand their customer base, improve brand image, and reduce the risk of costly legal complications associated with non-compliance. By creating ADA compliant websites, EcomBack sets a new standard for web design, where accessibility and usability go hand in hand.

The Advantage of ADA Website Design for Senior Citizens

Senior citizens often find themselves left behind in the rapidly evolving digital age. Whether due to deteriorating eyesight or reduced mobility, the digital divide can feel almost insurmountable. With the implementation of ADA website design, however, this need not be the case. EcomBack, through its superior ADA website compliance services, ensures senior citizens can stay connected and engaged.

An ADA accessible website can help senior citizens maintain their independence, enabling them to carry out online transactions, stay in touch with loved ones, and access valuable information with ease. By ensuring ADA and WCAG compliance, businesses not only engage this demographic effectively but also demonstrate social responsibility and inclusivity.

Inclusivity and Customer Engagement through ADA Accessible Website Design

Creating an ADA accessible website means recognizing and accommodating diverse user needs, leading to higher customer engagement. The inclusivity fostered by ADA and WCAG compliance allows businesses to reach and engage a broader audience, resulting in improved brand loyalty and customer retention.

EcomBack’s proficiency in ADA website design brings forth the benefits of ADA and WCAG compliance in a compelling manner, directly translating into a higher level of customer satisfaction. By ensuring that every user can navigate and interact with your website effortlessly, EcomBack facilitates an inclusive online environment for all.

Maximizing Business Opportunities with ADA Website Compliance Services

Apart from inclusivity and social responsibility, ADA website compliance services present a significant business advantage. EcomBack, with its expertise in ADA and WCAG compliance, enables businesses to tap into the potential of the senior citizen market.

Senior citizens represent a considerable portion of the population with substantial buying power. By ensuring your website is ADA compliant, your business stands to gain a significant competitive edge, maximize customer engagement, and ultimately improve the bottom line.

The Transformative Power of ADA Website Design

In the age of digital transformation, ADA website design stands as a powerful tool in ensuring no one is left behind. EcomBack, with its focus on ADA and WCAG compliance, strives to create a digital landscape where every user, including senior citizens, feels seen, heard, and valued.

By opting for ADA website compliance services, businesses can not only broaden their customer base but also create meaningful connections with users. The future of web design is accessible and inclusive, and with EcomBack, your business can be at the forefront of this revolution.

EcomBack’s Commitment to ADA and WCAG Compliance

EcomBack is committed to setting the standard for ADA and WCAG compliance in web design. Our ADA website compliance services ensure that your website is built from the ground up with accessibility in mind. We believe in the power of an inclusive digital world and strive to make it a reality.

ADA compliant websites go beyond simply adhering to regulations – they represent a commitment to an inclusive and accessible digital future. EcomBack is proud to be part of this movement, providing businesses with the tools and services they need to create engaging, accessible online experiences for all, including senior citizens.

A Step by Step Guide to Creating an ADA Compliant Website Blog Banner
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date June 13, 2023

As technology continues to advance, more and more businesses are establishing their online presence. However, creating a website that is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, is essential. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is also required by law. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to creating an ADA-compliant website and explain how EcomBack’s accessibility services can help businesses improve their online accessibility and prevent ADA lawsuits.

Step 1: Understand ADA Guidelines

The first step to creating an ADA-compliant website is to understand the guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires businesses to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to their goods and services. The guidelines for web accessibility cover four main areas: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. These guidelines provide a framework for making sure that all users can navigate and access the information on your website.

Step 2: Conduct a Website Audit

The next step is to conduct a website audit to identify any accessibility barriers. This includes checking for things like image alt text, proper heading structure, and keyboard navigation. EcomBack offers a comprehensive website ADA audit that covers all areas of web accessibility, including content, design, and functionality. We’ll provide you with a detailed report of our findings and work with you to implement the necessary changes.

Step 3: Make Necessary Changes

Once you have identified any accessibility barriers, the next step is to make the necessary changes. This can include things like adding alt text to images, improving color contrast, and ensuring that all content can be accessed with a keyboard. We can help you make these changes quickly and efficiently, ensuring that your website is accessible to everyone.

Step 4: Conduct Ongoing Testing

The final step in creating an ADA-compliant website is to conduct ongoing testing to ensure that your website remains accessible. This can include manual testing, automated testing, and user testing. EcomBack’s Web Accessibility services offer ongoing testing to ensure that your website remains compliant with ADA guidelines and that your users can access your content without any barriers.

Benefits of EcomBack’s Web Accessibility Services

By using EcomBack’s Web ADA Accessibility services, you can improve your online accessibility and prevent ADA lawsuits.

Our services include:

  • We Audit – Comprehensive website audits to identify accessibility barriers.
  • We Fix – Expert developers use WCAG guidelines to make necessary changes to your website.
  • We Certify – Ongoing testing to ensure that your website remains accessible.
  • We train – We teach you how to keep your website accessible as you make updates.
  • We monitor – Protection against ADA lawsuits.

In conclusion, creating an ADA-compliant website is not only the right thing to do but it is also required by law. By following the steps outlined in this guide and using EcomBack’s Web ADA Accessibility services, you can improve your online accessibility and prevent ADA lawsuits.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create an accessible and ADA compliant website.

Tips and Best Practices Ensuring Accessible Website Content Blog Banner
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date June 4, 2023

As digital communication continues to play an increasingly important role in our daily lives, it is crucial to ensure that the content we post is accessible to everyone. Making website blogs and other social media content accessible is not only a matter of compliance with laws and regulations but also a basic human right. By ensuring that your content is accessible, you can ensure that everyone can participate in online conversations and engage with your brand or message.

There are many benefits to creating accessible content, including increased engagement, improved SEO, and a more positive brand image. However, creating accessible content can be a daunting task, particularly if you are new to accessibility. In this article, we will explore some tips and best practices to ensure that your website content is accessible and inclusive to all users.

Tip 1: Use Alt Text for Images

Alt text provides a textual description of images, making it possible for users who are blind or visually impaired to understand the content of the image. Alt text should be descriptive and accurate and should include relevant keywords to improve SEO. When adding alt text, it’s essential to keep in mind that the text should describe the content of the image, rather than its appearance.

Most social media platforms now have some ALT Text capabilities. Check FaceBook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter’s accessibility features and options.

Tip 2: Use Captions for Videos

Captions provide a textual representation of audio content, making it accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Captions also improve engagement and comprehension for all users, particularly in noisy or distracting environments. When creating captions, it’s essential to ensure that they are accurate and synchronized with the audio content.

Tip 3: Provide Audio Descriptions for Videos

Audio descriptions provide an additional audio track that describes the visual content of a video, making it accessible to users who are blind or visually impaired. Audio descriptions can also improve engagement and comprehension for all users, particularly in situations where the video content is difficult to understand.

Tip 4: Use Descriptive Links

Descriptive links provide context and information about the destination of a link, making it easier for users with disabilities to navigate and understand the content. Use descriptive link text that clearly and accurately describes the destination page, rather than generic phrases such as “click here.” Descriptive links can also improve SEO and make your content more user-friendly.

Tip 5: Use Proper Heading Structure

Proper heading structure improves readability and navigation for all users, particularly users with disabilities. Use heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to organize content and provide a clear hierarchy of information. Proper heading structure also makes your content more accessible to screen readers.

Tip 6: Ensure Keyboard Accessibility

Keyboard accessibility is essential for users who cannot use a mouse or other pointing device. Ensure that all content on your social media platforms can be accessed and navigated using only a keyboard. Keyboard accessibility can be achieved by ensuring that all interactive elements on your platform have a visible focus indicator and can be activated using the keyboard.

Tip 7: Provide Transcripts for Audio Content

Transcripts provide a written representation of audio content, making it accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing. Transcripts can also improve engagement and comprehension for all users, particularly in situations where audio content is difficult to understand. When creating transcripts, it’s essential to ensure that they are accurate and synchronized with the audio content.

Conclusion

Creating accessible social media content is not only a legal requirement, but it is also a fundamental human right. By following these tips and best practices, you can create content that is inclusive, engaging, and compliant with accessibility laws and regulations. Remember that accessibility is a continuous process, and it is essential to regularly review and update your social media content to ensure that it remains accessible to all users. By making your content accessible, you can ensure that everyone can participate in online conversations and engage with your brand or message.

For assistance and guidance on creating accessible video and text content, visit www.20evo.com

Accessibility Audits: Identifying and Addressing ADA Compliance Issues Blog Banner
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date May 16, 2023

In recent years, with the growing trend of businesses moving online, web accessibility has become a critical issue. Websites that are not accessible to users with disabilities not only lose potential customers but also increase the risk of ADA lawsuits. This is where EcomBack’s Web Accessibility & ADA Compliance Services come into play. In this blog post, we will discuss the significance of web accessibility and how our services can help businesses ensure ADA compliance and improve their online accessibility.

The Importance of Web Accessibility

Web accessibility refers to the ability of people with disabilities to use websites, applications, and digital tools. This includes individuals with vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive disabilities. Accessible websites not only make it easier for people with disabilities to navigate the web but also improve the user experience for everyone.

Web accessibility is not just a moral imperative but also a legal requirement. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses that operate public accommodations, including websites, must provide equal access to people with disabilities. Failure to comply with ADA regulations can result in lawsuits, with businesses facing substantial financial penalties and reputational damage.

Identifying ADA Compliance Issues

Identifying ADA compliance issues on a website can be challenging, particularly for businesses that are not familiar with accessibility guidelines. This is where an accessibility audit comes in. An accessibility audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a website’s accessibility, including its design, code, and content.

An accessibility audit can help businesses identify ADA compliance issues, such as non-descriptive links, missing alternative text for images, and non-compliant color contrast. An audit can also identify issues with website navigation, keyboard accessibility, and other usability issues hidden in the source code that can affect the user experience.

Addressing Accessibility Compliance Issues

Once website accessibility compliance issues have been identified, the next step is to address them. This can involve making changes to the website’s design, code, and content. Some common solutions include adding alternative text to images, ensuring color contrast meets accessibility standards, and improving keyboard navigation. We use WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines where feasible.

Addressing ADA compliance issues can be a complex and time-consuming process, particularly for businesses that lack experience in web accessibility.

How EcomBack Can Help?

EcomBack’s ADA Compliance Services can help businesses comply with ADA regulations and improve their online accessibility. Our services include a comprehensive accessibility audit that identifies compliance issues, followed by remediation services using WCAG 2.1 AA criteria that address those issues.

Our team of accessibility experts has extensive experience in web accessibility and can ensure that your website meets ADA compliance standards. We use a combination of manual and automated testing to ensure that all ADA compliance issues are identified and addressed. We also work closely with our clients to ensure that their website is optimized for accessibility and provides a user-friendly experience for all users.

Benefits of EcomBack Web ADA Services

  • Avoid ADA Lawsuits: By ensuring that your website meets ADA compliance standards, you can avoid the risk of ADA lawsuits.
  • Reach a Larger Audience: By improving your website’s accessibility, you can reach a larger audience, including users with disabilities who may have previously been unable to use your website.
  • Improve User Experience: An accessible website provides a better user experience for all users, not just those with disabilities.
  • Enhance Reputation: By demonstrating a commitment to accessibility, businesses can enhance their reputation and demonstrate that they value diversity and inclusion.

Conclusion

Web accessibility isn’t just a “nice to have,” it’s a crucial component of modern business operations. By ensuring your website meets ADA compliance standards, you not only avoid potential legal penalties but also widen your audience reach and enhance the user experience for everyone. Our specialized ADA website compliance experts can guide your business toward meeting WCAG 2.1 AA success criteria and amping up your online accessibility. With our thorough accessibility audit and remediation services, we strive to make your website universally accessible, irrespective of the abilities of your users.

Don’t delay, seize this opportunity to make your website better for everyone, while mitigating the risk of ADA lawsuits. Contact us today to avail your FREE website accessibility audit. We’re ready to help you improve your online accessibility and make your business a more inclusive space.

More Businesses Fight Back Against Onslaught of ADA Website Lawsuits Blog Banner
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date May 10, 2023

Electric Bike Technologies, Inc. (Electric Bike) has submitted a memorandum in opposition to the motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment counterclaim in the ongoing lawsuit involving Plaintiff Jose Quezada.

The central issue in the case revolves around whether the parties agreed to settle a previously filed and dismissed federal lawsuit. Electric Bike seeks a declaration from the Court that Plaintiff’s state court lawsuit, which alleges there was a federal court settlement, is without merit and frivolous. The counterclaim does not allege an independent cause of action for sanctions. However, Electric Bike argues that by filing a cursory motion to dismiss the counterclaim, Plaintiff sidesteps the requirement of responding to the specific factual allegations that make it self-evident that Plaintiff’s complaint is not only without merit, but also frivolous.

The background of the case involves Plaintiff suing Electric Bike in the Southern District of New York, claiming that Electric Bike’s website was inaccessible to blind people in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York law. The motion alleges that the Plaintiff’s law firm Mizrahi Kroub LLP had no apparent intention of litigating the lawsuit against Electric Bike, but instead aimed to leverage the “cost of defense” to obtain a “cost-of-litigation” settlement.

In August 2022, Plaintiff’s counsel offered to settle for $4,950 plus website remediation. Electric Bike’s counsel at the time, David Stein of Stein & Nieporent LLP, responded by accepting the $4,950 payment but did not address the remediation demand or other material terms. Instead, they stated that they would draft the settlement agreement. The following day, Electric Bike’s counsel clarified that confidentiality was a material term and that they did not agree to any confidentiality provision.

Screenshot of an email between lawyers in the case as included in the motion, which states that Electric Bike Tech will not agree to a confidentiality provision of the settlement agreement.
Screenshot of an email between lawyers in the case as included in the motion, which states that Electric Bike Tech will not agree to a confidentiality provision of the settlement agreement.

They further stated that if Plaintiff’s counsel insisted on confidentiality, there would be no agreement on the $4,950 settlement amount either.

This case highlights the ongoing dispute between Electric Bike Technologies and Plaintiff Jose Quezada, with Electric Bike arguing that the motion to dismiss the declaratory judgment counterclaim allows Plaintiff to avoid addressing specific allegations.

As the case proceeds, the Court’s decision will provide further insight into the validity of the counterclaim and the outcome of the lawsuit.

Electric Bike is now represented by Richard S. Mandaro of Amster, Rothstein & Ebenstein LLP and Peter J. Brann and Hannah L. Wurgaft of Brann & Isaacson.

Download and read the full filing here.

The Best Tips for Writing Alt Text Blog Banner
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date October 14, 2022

What is Alt Text?

Alt text (aka alt attributes or alt descriptions or alternative text) are descriptions for images on a website page. It is used within an HTML code to describe the appearance and function of an image.

Why is Alt Text Important?

Alt text is essential for anyone creating online content. It is helpful for users because it allows text to be read aloud using assistive technology like screen readers, speech input software, and speech-enabled websites. Also, alt text will replace an image if the file isn’t loading.

Another great reason to use alt text is that it is important for search engine optimization (SEO) and can dramatically improve a website’s rankings.

What does alt text look like in HTML?

Image Example:

A brown hare crossing the dirt road

The alt text comes before the tag: “alt=”

What the alt text looks like in an HTML code snippet:

<img

src=”European-Hare.jpg”

alt=”A brown hare crossing the dirt road.”>

How to add alt text to images on WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and Wix

You’ll be happy to know you don’t need to touch HTML code when using these e-commerce platforms because it is already included in the software. This makes it easier to write alt text!

Simply hover over the image thumbnail and click “Edit.” There should be an option to write alt text. For instance, Wix calls it “Title (Alt Text).”

Screenshot of showing How to check alt text details

Source:Wix

Writing Alt Text for Different Types of Images

  1. Basic images

Images that have little meaning to them get a basic description. Keep it short and to the point. However, don’t just write one word. Alt text is usually 125 characters or less.

The image is showing Cancun beach image and its properties

Source: fscj.edu

  1. Text in images

For a picture that has text in it, you can write that word-for-word in the alt text.

Welcome please come in an image accompanied by illustrations demonstrating how to write image alt text for individuals with visual impairments.

Source: Wix.com

  1. Decorative images

Decorative images don’t add information to a page’s content and only make it more visually attractive. Use null (empty) alt text, which tells assistive technologies to ignore the photo. It should look like this: alt=””

Image with Alt code

Source: Accessible360

  1. Functional images

Examples of functional images are interactive buttons and links. The alt text for the image should describe the action (“search,” “home,” etc.).

The image illustrates how to add Alt text to an image.

Source: ucsc.edu

  1. Complex images

Complex images are graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, and illustrations. These images are difficult to describe in one or two sentences. For the alt text, write what is the most important for users to read so they can understand the gist of the content.

The image demonstrates how to write alt text for a chart displaying the sales of November pie.

Source: Microsoft

How to Write Alt Text

There are three ways to write alt text: short description, no description, and long description.

If there’s nothing important in your image, don’t write alt text. Decorative images, visual stylings like borders, or images already described in the content body don’t need alt text. But take caution – a lot of websites get sued for lack of Alt text by ADA plaintiff lawyers. So, where possible, add Alt text.

Graphs, maps, and diagrams need longer descriptions. These can be hard to comprehend by many people, such as blind people and those with learning disabilities or low vision.

How do I write alt text for e-commerce sites?

Avoid writing alt text like this: “big clearance trucker hat buy today.” This might trigger a spam alert.

Example of a well-written alt tag for e-commerce websites:

<img =”trucker_hat.png” alt=” foam trucker hataHat for men green”>

The Best Tips for Writing Alt Text

  • Alt text is 125 characters or less
  • Clear and simple language
  • The most important information comes first
  • Don’t include ‘photo,’ ‘picture,’ or ‘icon’ as this is redundant
  • Include a keyword but don’t go overboard and write too many (known as keyword stuffing)
  • Be specific about the type of image, if it’s a painting, writing on a chalkboard, illustration, etc.

Common Mistakes

  • Not writing alt text (especially if the image is important)
  • Creating alt text for every single image on the page (above, we explain when to include alt text)
  • Descriptions that aren’t helpful
  • Failing to explain complex images

Get an Expert ADA WCAG Compliance Consultation with EcomBack

When you work with us, you can avoid ADA-related lawsuits. EcomBack designs a compliant website for your business. We have experts on our team that are well-informed in ADA compliance standards and can help your business get on the right track toward accessibility.

Get a free ADA audit and consultation today!

Why You Shouldn’t Use Accessibility Overlay Solutions
  • Post author By EcomBack
  • Post date March 28, 2022

WCAG Auditing and Remediation Short-Cuts to Avoid

There are a growing number of “overlay” solution providers who claim to be able to make any website WCAG compliant simply by adding a plugin or JavaScript snippet.

Over 600 Accessibility professionals and disability rights groups have co-signed the Overlay Fact-Sheet outlining why accessibility overlays such as the following are unnecessary and may impede the intended goals. AccessiBe, Accessiblelink, Accessiway, Adally, Adapte Mon Web (Adapt my Web), Allyable, AudioEye, EqualWeb, FACIL’iti, Lisio, MaxAccess, MK-Sense, ReciteME, Sogo, TruAbilities, True Accessibility, UsableNet Assistive, User1st, UserWay, Purple Lens amongst others.

According to Attorney Richard Hunt of Hunt Huey PLLC, in 2020, there were five lawsuits filed in only two weeks regarding businesses with an inaccessible website that used an accessibility overlay or widget.

To make matters even scarier, throughout the entire year of 2020, there were a total of 250 lawsuits filed for companies that used overlay accessibility solutions.

Number of Lawsuits image

Only about 30% of problems are detected using automated solutions. The phrase “overlay” implies that these methods do not repair the underlying code. They also need to be activated by the user manually.

Overlays create a negative user experience that alienates this part of your audience and puts your company at risk of brand damage and revenue loss. By utilizing overlays, you are essentially providing people with disabilities with a different online experience that has less functionality, which is in direct opposition to the goals of digital inclusion.

Creating an inclusive web environment necessitates fixing any accessibility concerns on your primary site so that you can provide one unified brand experience for all users.

There is no alternative when it comes to making your website accessible to actual people with disabilities. WCAG 2.1 A and AA audits, which are conducted by an expert accessibility consultant who understands both WCAG and programming code, are required for true ADA compliance.

EcomBack has ADA consultants that can provide the best WCAG ADA Website Compliance services.

What Are Overlay Accessibility Solutions?

Overlay solutions are automated software solutions that essentially add a layer over the site that addresses a small fraction of accessibility complications. They basically “fix” the easy stuff but leave out a lot of necessary components, which means it is virtually impossible to claim actual WCAG compliance for ADA requirements this way.

These quick solutions are typically depicted as an “accessibility button” that a disabled visitor needs to be able to find and open (which may not even be possible for some users).

  • The button opens a toolbar with options such as text adjustments (size, spacing, alignment), color (contrast, saturation, monochrome), adjusts curser, adds focus states, magnifies, and a screen reader (sometimes provided).A couple of accessibility buttons incorporate Artificial Intelligence to interpret images and automatically add alternative tags that describe images. However, accuracy and usefulness for the actual person using a screen reader are low.

What issues are ignored by accessibility overlay tools?

Absence of headings or headings that aren’t properly coded

Missing alt text on images

Link text marked clearly

No labels on form fields

Required form fields not indicated

Lack of submit button

Web Accessibility widget image

Most of these issues are huge barriers to web users with disabilities.

Why Overlay Solutions Fail to Deliver True ADA Accessibility

Those that refer to overlays as “band-aids” are correct. In fact, they’re band-aids that fail to cover the middle of the wound. They just cover the edges.

Overlays miss 70% of WCAG issues and can only be assessed using manual testing. By default, the inaccessible underlying code is fully exposed to legal trolls. While some providers claim to provide manual testing and remediation, it is only applied to the overlay layer, not the underlying code.

Additionally, overlay tools have a negative impact on the performance of your website. Because overlays are often hosted on a third-party vendor’s server, you have no control over if the overlay script is too slow to load.

When you combine all these issues together, it’s easy to see why we don’t recommend any overlay solutions. Even custom overlay solutions lack flexibility and can break during basic site maintenance. One minor change on your site has the potential to disrupt the entire overlay.

Image of Laptop with Overlay

Any person with a disability already has their favorite set of tools and browser settings. The most significant and unfortunate truth about overlay solutions is that they force a disabled user to study, learn, and customize this new set of toolbar options for each website they visit.

So, in reality, they don’t work for the actual people with disabilities behind the screen. They only work in the interests of website owners who want to avoid the expenses associated with proper web accessibility.

Lastly, people with disabilities will have a hard time using websites on their mobile devices to browse websites unless heavy customization is applied since any out-of-the-box solution will very likely fail for mobile users.

The Website Code & Violations Are Legally Exposed with Overlays

Overlay Solutions Lack Manual Testing and Remediation

Accessibility Overlays Hinder Website Performance

Overlays Override the Users’ Existing Assistive Tools

Accessibility Overlays Don’t Work for Mobile

Overlays Open Security Holes

EcomBack Has Premium ADA Compliant Website Services

EcomBack has a 7-point plan to address the issues on your website with the aim to defend the current claim and avoid future lawsuits.

After meeting with your business and discussing the right ADA compliance strategy, our expert team of ADA consultants then begins with a comprehensive audit to review the urgent errors, alerts, color contrast, media, video captions, ARIA, page flow, and other requirements to make your website accessible for people with disabilities.

We also provide an Accessibility Statement and ADA training for your business.

Contact us for a website audit consultation today!

W3C Member and Advisory Committee International Association of Accessibility Professionals - Organizational Member Court Approved Accessibility Provider