Accessibility Overlays: Why You Should Avoid Them

Accessibility Overlays Why You Should Avoid Them Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

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ABOUT TODD • Senior Accessibility Engineer • Accessibility Advocate • 23 years professional experience • W3C Invited Expert • Lobster Roll Connaisseur • Phoenix, AZ

Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

What is Web Accessibility?

WEB ACCESSIBILITY IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN ACCESS WEBSITES AND OTHER WEB BASED SYSTEMS SUCH AS BANKING AND ONLINE RETAIL

“The ability for people with disabilities to access the Web without hinderance. Access to all persons.” –ME

What is an Accessibility Overlay? Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

Universal Accessibility Logo Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

Another accessibility logo you see in parking spots Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

Universal Accessibility logo again Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

Heatonist.com web site that uses an overlay Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

A closer view of the overlay icon Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

Let’s take a look! Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“Overlays are here to stay. So are ‘male enhancement pills’.” –KARL GROVES Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

PROS Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

There are no pros. Accessibility overlays are bad.

CONS Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

The stench of overlays

• Poor ethics • Deception of testers • False advertising • Fake reviews & users • Legal intimidation • Create barriers • Tracking users & visitors

Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“Ethics change with technology.” –LARRY NIVEN Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

• Representatives have gone after accessibility professionals in public settings • Twitter DMs attacking accessibility professionals and sending cease & desists • Threats on LinkedIn in comments section of shared posts that refute claims • Legal wrangling with accessibility professionals

Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“Man is not what he thinks he is, he is what he hides.” –ANDRÉ MALRAUX Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

• Add-on appears as a toolbar • Third-party software that creates more barriers • WAVE will not function properly with some overlays • One line of JavaScript will cure all accessibility issues AND the ADA! • Performance vacuum

Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” –MARK TWAIN Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

• 100% Accessibile site! • Covers the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) 100%! • Ghost writers with articles written by “admin” • Formatted advertisements to look like “articles” • The customer will be protected from litigation

Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“Those who can write, write. Those who can’t, criticize.” –MAX HAWTHORNE Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

• WordPress.com removed dozens of fake reviews on the plugin site • Fake profiles of people who claimed to use the product • Exaggerated numbers of customers • Pays for Praise • Reviewers usually work for the company

Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“Facts are threatening to those invested in fraud.” –DASHANNE STOKES Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“The world isn’t built with a ramp.” – WALT BALENOVICH Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

“Not only can accessiBe identify me as a unique individual with a disability and also associate that info with that person’s name and any other information they can obtain from LinkedIn, Twitter, and public sources.” – Léonie Watson Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

IAAP.ORG INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ACCESSIBILITY PROFESSIONALS Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

Allowed accessiBe, an overlay company, to be a vendor at an IAAP conference. Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

W3C WORLD WIDE WEB CONSORTIUM Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

accessiBe, UserWay are W3C members after repeated harassment of accessibility professionals one social media platforms. Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

UserWay COO proposed an overlay W3C group, then when confronted about their motives, “rebranded” as “Accessibility at the Edge CG (Community Group). Todd Libby - 8 November, 2022 @toddlibby - Connect Tech

A picture of a snake oil salesman on his wagon selling “miracle elixirs”

“Accessibility is a right, not a privilege.” –ME… AGAIN

“The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disabilities an essential aspect.” — Sir Tim Berners Lee

https://toddl.dev/slides