It is important to remember that there are many different types of disabilities. For example, websites can be difficult for people with visual impairments, dyslexia, deafness, or other disabilities which affect the ability to use a computer. Accessibility overlay is a tool that allow the user to highlight certain features on a website, so they know where they need to click without having to wait for an audio prompt.
This article will discuss why an accessibility overlay is important, what people with disabilities use it for, and where you can find one.
Why Are Accessibility Overlays Important?
The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) defines accessibility as the following:
“The practice of creating web content that can be accessed by a wider range of people, including those with disabilities.”
There are many reasons why an individual may need to use an overlay. Many websites contain links and forms that do not read correctly or when using a screen reader. Screen readers interpret elements that are not interactive, such as images or content with no associated script, in the same way, every time, so some websites may contain information that is read out incorrectly. For example, if there is an image on your site without any alternative text, it will be read by the screen reader as if it was a link, which is likely something that the user does not want to click on.
HTML5 introduced some new elements necessary for accessibility, but there are some barriers to creating these features. For example, to make an image accessible, it must have alt text assigned to it, but what do you do if you don’t know what this will be until after the image is created? Well, that’s where accessibility overlays come in. They can give a person with a disability a preview of the site’s navigation before clicking on anything.
What Do People With Disabilities Use Accessibility Overlays For?
Using an overlay before navigating a website not only gives an individual the chance to test it out before they go through the trouble of clicking on links, but it also lets them know what features you have included for their benefit. There are many accessibility overlays available that give a preview of all kinds of different elements, so it is easy to find one that you think will suit your website’s needs.
The WAVE overlay is one of the most commonly used tools. This overlay shows an individual exactly where to click so they can navigate your website without any problems. WAVE works with all modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
How Does Having An Accessibility Overlay Help My Website?
As mentioned earlier, accessibility overlays preview what the user will be getting into when they click on your website’s links. In terms of usability, this is extremely helpful because it gives an individual with a disability the ability to experience your site just as everyone else does without going through a lengthy process to find out if it will suit their needs.
Having an ADA-compliant website will mean that your site can be accessed by individuals who have disabilities, but using an overlay for this purpose gives the user more control over how they want to navigate your website and which features they would like to use.
Comments are closed.