Accessibility is the measure of someone’s ability to use a product or service. Accessibility overlays allow people with disabilities to have access to content on the internet. However, it can be hard to know where to start or what information should be included in your tool when you’re first getting started. In this post, we’ll look at how to get started with an accessibility overlay tool.
What’s In An Overlay?
There are many different types of accessibility overlays. Some give instructions on using the website or reading the content aloud. Others have text alternatives for images or videos, providing information for those who can’t see or hear.
The text tells users that they can click on the cat, and it will take them to Google’s homepage. Do you run a website? Do you offer any type of product or service? If so, adding an accessibility overlay tool could be valuable for your users.
What Should Your Overlay Include?
As previously mentioned, there are many different types of overlays. For example, some will read text aloud, while others provide text alternatives for images or videos. Not every visitor to your website has access to all technology, though. For this reason, you need to ensure that your overlay can meet everyone’s needs.
Getting Started
There are lots of overlays that you can use to get started with making your website more accessible.
Color Contrast Overlay provides color magnified views so you can see if the colors of your site provide enough contrast for people with color deficits, like color blindness. It is free, has no options or settings, and is run through an overlay button.
Color Contrast Analyzer is also free and has no options or settings. It does not provide color magnified views like Color Contrast Overlay, but it does provide a list of potential issues according to the WCAG 2.0 AA standard.
It can be run from your web browser address bar by typing in “color contrast analyzer” + the web address you’re checking.
WAVE is an online accessibility evaluation tool that checks for compliance with the Level AA Success Criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0). It can be run from your web browser address bar by typing in “wave” + the web address you’re checking.
Color Oracle adds color to what you see on your screen. It can simulate color blindness, which is useful when testing color contrast, or just for adding a splash of color to an otherwise dull screen.
Chrome Store Foxified Extension provides quick access to the Chrome accessibility dev tools in Firefox, allowing you to inspect all elements on a page and generate lists of properties and states for each element, including color values.
Color Filter adds a tinted overlay on your screen to show you what the site looks like to someone with color deficits. You can choose between simulating protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia.
Conclusion
Having an accessibility overlay tool can make your site more accessible to everyone. It allows you to see the content they would see and show them how to use your site or product or service better.
There are lots of overlays that you can use when making your website more accessible, but this list should get you started with making your website more accessible.