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60 changes: 49 additions & 11 deletions docs/start/myths/overlays.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -3,18 +3,56 @@ title: Overlays
layout: default
parent: Debunking myths
nav_order: 3
has_video: true
---

# Overlays

{: .warning }
**TODO:**
Starter content. This content still needs to be written.

- what is an overlay
- to consider: WP plugins for overlays and their claim (maybe not) .
- the difference between an overlay and a toolbar.
- link to [overlayfactsheet.com](https://overlayfactsheet.com/en/)
- include video [Overlays Underwhelm](https://www.youtube.com/live/RDkqJaBwgKU?si=4K5oAYp0ttz7jmNj) by Adrian Roselli.
- include video [Overlays Underwhelm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyRxd072JrA) by Léoni Watson.
- add more resources from within the WP community.
## What are Accessibility Overlays?

Accessibility overlays are third-party plugins or scripts added to a website to improve accessibility.
They are often promoted as a quick way to meet legal requirements.

Most overlays work by adding JavaScript to a page.
They usually appear as a small icon on the screen.
When opened, the icon shows options like text resizing, color contrast changes, or other display settings.

## The Difference Between Overlays and Toolbars

Overlays and toolbars may look similar, but they work in different ways.

**Overlays** try to fix accessibility issues automatically as a site loads.
They cannot repair problems in the original HTML, ARIA, or CSS.
In many cases, overlays add new barriers and give a false sense of compliance.

**Toolbars** do not change the website itself.
They allow people to adjust their own experience, such as changing font size or contrast.
Toolbars are most useful on sites that are already accessible, because they build on good practice rather than replacing it.

## Additional Resources

### The Overlay Fact Sheet
[Overlay Fact Sheet](https://overlayfactsheet.com/) – A multilingual report about the risks of using overlays.

### Videos from Accessibility Experts

**[Overlays Underwhelm](https://www.youtube.com/live/RDkqJaBwgKU)** by Adrian Roselli

<video data-able-player data-youtube-nocookie="true" data-youtube-id="RDkqJaBwgKU" data-heading-level="0"></video>

**[There is no spoon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyRxd072JrA)** by Léonie Watson

<video data-able-player data-youtube-nocookie="true" data-youtube-id="fyRxd072JrA" data-heading-level="0"></video>

### Resources from the WordPress Community

[Accessibility Overlays – All Sizzle, No Steak](https://equalizedigital.com/accessibility-overlays-all-sizzle-no-steak-karl-groves/) by Equalize Digital and Karl Groves

[Overlays Underwhelm at WordPress Accessibility Day](https://adrianroselli.com/2022/11/overlays-underwhelm-at-wordpress-a11y-day.html) by Adrian Roselli

[WordPress Accessibility Team Blog](https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/)



{: .alert }
Note that while many plugins in the WordPress plugin repository are overlays or widgets, none of those are listed here. The WordPress Accessibility team does not recommend the usage of [accessibility overlays](https://overlayfactsheet.com/).
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