Web accessibility was introduced into Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Section 508 safeguards users with disabilities from discrimination in all non-physical areas, with the inclusion of the Internet. The above section applies to federal contractors and agencies, as Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to private businesses. The lawsuits related to ADA against sites with accessibility issues have surged in recent years.

How does an accessibility overlay safeguard your site?

It is very hard to keep a site up-to-date. New content is pouring in frequently, and this flow makes accessibility a big challenge. Organizations in the past have depended on app plugins or website developers to enhance the accessibility of the site, which could cost a lot of money, even a thousand dollars, along with the costs of maintaining the compliance of the site. Companies have to be proactive in making the much-needed investments to make the site ADA compliant and invest in its maintenance.

With an accessibility overlay, you are able to enjoy the following features-

1. Automatic adjustments to screen readers.
2. Personal UI and design adjustments.
3. Live dictionary.
4. Stop animations for users with epilepsy.
5. Color and contrast for users with visually impaired.
6. Reading mode for users with cognitive disorders.
7. Quick navigation for users with motor impairments.

How can accessibility overlay tools make websites ADA compliant?

With the help of accessibility overlays, companies can become fully compliant with ADA regulations and accessible for users with disabilities. The ADA lays down information technology, telecommunications, and services online to bring in features and adjustments to enable users with disabilities to navigate the site without hassles.

In order to execute the above, the business needs to consider the following ways-

• Consider every type of impairment- When you are auditing your site, you should consider the impairments like visual, motor, cognitive and auditory. Businesses should address these varieties of impairments when they modify the service or the site.

• Evaluate the text- Check the content of the site via visual audit or tools for accessibility overlays. You need to check whether the text is big enough or not? Is the color on the site incorrect contrast with the background and text box? Is the font complex or too hard for the user to read? These are just some of the questions that the business needs to consider when it comes to making the site accessible to all users.

• Check the images on the site for alt text- The site displays alt-text in place of the image in case the image does not load. It refers to the description of the image. It is used for making it simple for users with disabilities to comprehend what lies on the web page. Screen readers can read the content, and without the presence of this alt text, it cannot describe the image.

The accessibility overlay ensures all the above elements are taken care of. In this way, your site is full accessibility and is no longer vulnerable to legal suits.