Accessibility overlays are browser extensions that help people with disabilities better access the web. Technology has been quickly adopted by organizations and individuals who want to make their websites more accessible.
With accessibility overlays, users can enable features like “read aloud” or “high contrast” on any website with just one click.
In this article, we will highlight six important reasons why websites should use these accessibility overlays and the benefits therein.
Reasons Why You Should Use Accessibility Overlays
These are six accessibility overlays for disabilities that can help make using your computer easier.
They Help People with Disabilities Navigate Websites Better
People with disabilities have a hard time navigating the website as they may not be able to use the mouse or keyboard or see minor details within. A website accessibility overlay will show up over the web page and will contain important information like links, buttons, and other interactive elements on the page in a disabled-friendly environment.
This overlay will give them more information about what they are trying to click on to improve experiences and functionality. The overlay can be customized to suit people’s needs.
They Reduce Potential Legal Issues from WCAG Guidelines
WCAG guidelines are important standards for accessibility and to provide equal access to all people. They are a set of recommendations for making websites accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are designed so that any person with a disability can have equal access to the information on the website and be able to navigate without difficulties.
However, it is important to note that WCAG guidelines do not mandate accessibility for these users, and it is actually up to the organization or business owner if they want their sites to follow their rules.
Having said that, failure to do so may lead to mishaps, such as epileptic seizures or poor apprehension by users. This, in turn, may lead to potential legal issues.
Lead to More Traffic
A website is a digital representation of a company or organization. It is the first point of contact and is essential for converting visitors into leads. For that, you need to make sure that the visitors are able to find what they are looking for on your website.
This means that you need to have clear and accessible navigation as well as an intuitive layout that provides ample information about your products or services without overwhelming them with too much data – especially for those who are disabled.
A good example would be adding a drop-down menu under the “Services” tab on the homepage where users can quickly access your services based on their needs (i.e., Healthcare, Financial Services, etc.).
Improves Public Perception & Goodwill
A lot of the criticism for the initiative is that it will be seen as a form of discrimination. However, this is not the case. In fact, there are several overlay facts that suggest otherwise. The inclusivity of this initiative is what will make it successful, and it is set to give websites that implement them better public perception and goodwill.
The $5,000 Tax Incentive
As mentioned in our previous article, the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is geared towards offering better experiences to people with disabilities across the internet. To ensure that businesses adopt these practices, the IRS is offering a 50% tax credit to companies for this initiative.
According to its notice, companies that spend between $250 to $10,250 on web accessibility can get a total tax credit of up to $5,000 (with respect to notice terms and conditions).
Overlays Introduce a Sense of “Community” In The Digital Environment
The use of overlays is a way to make the digital environment more personal and interactive, not only for those disabled but also for other visitors. The inclusivity that it features can be used to create a sense of community in the digital space.
Final Words on Web Accessibility Overlays
Website accessibility overlays are designed to help people with disabilities use the web. Furthermore, as the world adopts these practices, it is not only the disabled that are set to gain from the implementation of accessibility overlays but the general public and website owners as well.
