Are Accessibility OverlaysBad?
The short answer:"Magic Pill" overlays are bad.Comprehensive remediation platforms are not.
We agree with the critics
TheA11y Projectrightly argues that installing a single script cannot be your only accessibility strategy.
Many "overlay" companies promise 100% compliance with one line of code. This is impossible and misleading. A widget cannot fix a missing form label in your database or a poorly structured HTML document.
The A11yCore Approach
- We provideDeveloper Reportsto fix code at the source.
- We offerManual Audits(Enterprise) for true compliance.
- Our widget is anAssistive Toolfor users, not a replacement for code quality.
Fact vs. Fiction
"Overlays don't fix the code."
Critics say overlays just mask issues without solving the root cause.
Platform = Source Remediation
A11yCore scans your site weekly and generatesDeveloper Reportswith exact code fixes (HTML/CSS/JS) so your team can solve the root cause. The widget is just the "safety net" while you fix the code.
"Overlays break website designs."
Many widgets inject CSS that overrides your site's styles, breaking layouts.
Shadow DOM Isolation
Our widget lives inside aShadow DOMcontainer (`#a11ycore-widget-root`).
This ensures our styles never leak out to your site, and your site's styles never break our widget.
"Overlays are a privacy risk."
Identifying disabled users enables tracking and fingerprinting.
Local Storage Only
We verify keys by domain only. User preferences (e.g. "Dyslexia Font: On") are stored in the user's browser vialocalStorage.
No personal user data is ever transmitted to our servers.
"AI Alt Text is junk."
AI hallucinates and lacks context, making it worse than no alt text.
Human-in-the-Loop Review
We use GPT-4o Vision for context-aware descriptions, but critically, we provide aReview Panelwhere admins can approve, edit, or reject AI tags.
"Overlays are limited."
Most overlays only handle basic contrast or font adjustments, ignoring complex needs like cognitive disabilities or vague links.
Complete AI Suite
We go far beyond basic tweaks. Our platform uses specialized AI models to fix complex accessibility barriers:
"Overlays slow down sites."
Adding heavy layers of JavaScript hurts performance, especially on lower-end devices often used by people with disabilities.
Zero-Blocking Architecture
The A11yCore widget is ultra-lightweight and loads asynchronously, meaning itnever blocks the main threador delays your First Contentful Paint.
"Overlays steal autonomy."
Critics argue that overlays force unwanted changes on users who already have their own preferred assistive technology configurations.
Respecting User Choice
A11yCore isopt-in by default. We never auto-activate modes unless the user explicitly requests it. Plus, our "Screen Reader" mode is designed toenhance, not replace, existing tools like NVDA or JAWS.
Technical Commitment
We believe in radical transparency. A11yCore is built on clear, verifiable principles:
Verifiable Code
Clean, structured TypeScript. No obfuscators. No hidden logic.
Data Minimization
Audit Trails
Generated logs for every accessibility improvement, providing proof of effort.
Global Edge CDN
Redundant failovers ensure tools are always available.
Ready to fix your code?
Don't settle for a band-aid. Get a complete accessibility platform.