Overlay Timeline
@overlaytimeline.com
A reverse-chronological record of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary about accessibility overlays and the companies who make them.
https://overlaytimeline.com/
https://overlaytimeline.com/
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Overlay Timeline
@overlaytimeline.com
· Feb 24
Overlay Timeline
A reverse-chronological record of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary about accessibility overlays and the companies who make them.
overlaytimeline.com
The sheer volume of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary surrounding accessibility overlays can be overwhelming to fully grasp.
We made a timeline to help anyone understand and share this rich and cursed saga in digital accessibility.
overlaytimeline.com
We made a timeline to help anyone understand and share this rich and cursed saga in digital accessibility.
overlaytimeline.com
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
I regularly warn that content on Forbes is pay-for-play.
Here an overlay vendor shares prompts to feed an LLM for testing code, demonstrating LLMs on their own can’t do it without extensive coaching _and_ that coaching needs to be correct (the examples have issues):
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
Here an overlay vendor shares prompts to feed an LLM for testing code, demonstrating LLMs on their own can’t do it without extensive coaching _and_ that coaching needs to be correct (the examples have issues):
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
The AI Governance Challenge: Start Small, Grow Smart And Scale Responsibly
A maturity-based approach is essential for organizations to manage the complexities of AI development and ensure that oversight supports innovation.
www.forbes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I regularly warn that content on Forbes is pay-for-play.
Here an overlay vendor shares prompts to feed an LLM for testing code, demonstrating LLMs on their own can’t do it without extensive coaching _and_ that coaching needs to be correct (the examples have issues):
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
Here an overlay vendor shares prompts to feed an LLM for testing code, demonstrating LLMs on their own can’t do it without extensive coaching _and_ that coaching needs to be correct (the examples have issues):
www.forbes.com/councils/for...
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
Only 1 month to go until #TestConEurope! 💻😎
Watch the short video introduction of my talk and join me in Vilnius from October 21st to 24th, 2025 🎙️
Watch the short video introduction of my talk and join me in Vilnius from October 21st to 24th, 2025 🎙️
Daniela Kubesch: Decoding The Impact: Accessibility Overlays Through A Scientific Lens
www.youtube.com
September 24, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Only 1 month to go until #TestConEurope! 💻😎
Watch the short video introduction of my talk and join me in Vilnius from October 21st to 24th, 2025 🎙️
Watch the short video introduction of my talk and join me in Vilnius from October 21st to 24th, 2025 🎙️
On this day in 2022, #accessiBe publishes a blog post claiming that clients qualify for a tax break under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This claim is very likely false, and would only be worth $120 (if it were true).
Overlay Timeline
A reverse-chronological record of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary about accessibility overlays and the companies who make them.
overlaytimeline.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
On this day in 2022, #accessiBe publishes a blog post claiming that clients qualify for a tax break under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This claim is very likely false, and would only be worth $120 (if it were true).
In the first week of September 2021, five companies using #accessiBe overlays are sued in the state of Pennsylvania for failing to make their websites accessible to blind individuals, thus violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Overlay Timeline
A reverse-chronological record of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary about accessibility overlays and the companies who make them.
overlaytimeline.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
In the first week of September 2021, five companies using #accessiBe overlays are sued in the state of Pennsylvania for failing to make their websites accessible to blind individuals, thus violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
Come along to #TestConEurope this October, where I'll be giving this talk for the very last time!🎙️✨
I'll demonstrate how #accessibility #overlays interfere with website code, impacting #usability and #UserExperience.
Tickets: testcon.lt (Discounted until August 28 👀)
See you in Vilnius or Online👋
I'll demonstrate how #accessibility #overlays interfere with website code, impacting #usability and #UserExperience.
Tickets: testcon.lt (Discounted until August 28 👀)
See you in Vilnius or Online👋
August 26, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Come along to #TestConEurope this October, where I'll be giving this talk for the very last time!🎙️✨
I'll demonstrate how #accessibility #overlays interfere with website code, impacting #usability and #UserExperience.
Tickets: testcon.lt (Discounted until August 28 👀)
See you in Vilnius or Online👋
I'll demonstrate how #accessibility #overlays interfere with website code, impacting #usability and #UserExperience.
Tickets: testcon.lt (Discounted until August 28 👀)
See you in Vilnius or Online👋
On this day in 2021 (and again on August 30), the IAAP sends an email blast to their entire membership on behalf of #AudioEye to solicit free data from assistive technology users. The survey results would be used in marketing materials and numerous sponsored articles.
Overlay Timeline
A reverse-chronological record of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary about accessibility overlays and the companies who make them.
overlaytimeline.com
August 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
On this day in 2021 (and again on August 30), the IAAP sends an email blast to their entire membership on behalf of #AudioEye to solicit free data from assistive technology users. The survey results would be used in marketing materials and numerous sponsored articles.
On this day in 2020, #accessiBe posts a 2hr response to @aardrian.bsky.social's comments. It's a long product pitch using an optimized version of their product (which is different from the overlay many clients use). Some issues are claimed to be bugs, followed by assertions that they work perfectly.
Overlay Timeline
A reverse-chronological record of headlines, lawsuits, and commentary about accessibility overlays and the companies who make them.
overlaytimeline.com
August 4, 2025 at 6:10 PM
On this day in 2020, #accessiBe posts a 2hr response to @aardrian.bsky.social's comments. It's a long product pitch using an optimized version of their product (which is different from the overlay many clients use). Some issues are claimed to be bugs, followed by assertions that they work perfectly.
On this day in 2021, Léonie Watson @tink.uk examined the privacy risks of overlays and made a compelling case. The questions she addressed to #accessiBe about their Data Protection Impact Assessment were never answered.
AccessiBe and data protection? - Tink - Léonie Watson
Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP)
tink.uk
July 27, 2025 at 6:03 PM
On this day in 2021, Léonie Watson @tink.uk examined the privacy risks of overlays and made a compelling case. The questions she addressed to #accessiBe about their Data Protection Impact Assessment were never answered.
In another class action lawsuit filed Delaware, #UserWay was accused in 2024 of making misleading claims about its accessibility widget.
Another Web Access Overlay Company Sued by a Small Business
Another class action lawsuit has been filed by a small business that purchased an overlay monthly subscription, yet still got hit with a lawsuit claiming its website was not accessible. This suit…
www.lflegal.com
July 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
In another class action lawsuit filed Delaware, #UserWay was accused in 2024 of making misleading claims about its accessibility widget.
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
There is yet another accessibility overlay vendor out there, though it makes no conformance guarantees. Nor security or privacy guarantees.
“#ARTY Could Get You Sued”
adrianroselli.com/2025/07/arty...
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
“#ARTY Could Get You Sued”
adrianroselli.com/2025/07/arty...
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
#ARTY Could Get You Sued
I can’t actually assert the ARTY overlay will result in a lawsuit, though there is a trend of overlays attracting lawsuits. Attorneys say overlays don’t protect from lawsuits, either. Regardless of th...
adrianroselli.com
July 14, 2025 at 1:49 PM
There is yet another accessibility overlay vendor out there, though it makes no conformance guarantees. Nor security or privacy guarantees.
“#ARTY Could Get You Sued”
adrianroselli.com/2025/07/arty...
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
“#ARTY Could Get You Sued”
adrianroselli.com/2025/07/arty...
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
I was kinda joking about the mining, my overall point was that the *customers* that overlay companies have chosen are the proof that fixing accessibility isn’t the main goal.
On this day in 2024, @chriscoyier.net wrote about how he doesn't trust an overlay not to inject a bitcoin miner, a concern that isn't unfounded given previous cases of a overlays being exploited by hackers.
It’s really this thing that gets me.
Let’s say you’re on a big mission in the world. You think websites should be more accessible. Websites should work for anyone regardless of their disabilities. You also think the web right now is f…
chriscoyier.net
July 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I was kinda joking about the mining, my overall point was that the *customers* that overlay companies have chosen are the proof that fixing accessibility isn’t the main goal.
On this day in 2022, #accessiBe got some well-deserved attention in the press.
For Blind Internet Users, the Fix Can Be Worse Than the Flaws (Published 2022)
Companies say their A.I.-powered tools are the best way to fix accessibility problems online, but many blind people find they make websites harder to use.
www.nytimes.com
July 13, 2025 at 10:03 PM
On this day in 2022, #accessiBe got some well-deserved attention in the press.
On this day in 2024, @chriscoyier.net wrote about how he doesn't trust an overlay not to inject a bitcoin miner, a concern that isn't unfounded given previous cases of a overlays being exploited by hackers.
It’s really this thing that gets me.
Let’s say you’re on a big mission in the world. You think websites should be more accessible. Websites should work for anyone regardless of their disabilities. You also think the web right now is f…
chriscoyier.net
July 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
On this day in 2024, @chriscoyier.net wrote about how he doesn't trust an overlay not to inject a bitcoin miner, a concern that isn't unfounded given previous cases of a overlays being exploited by hackers.
On this day in 2023 (give or take), #AudioEye dropped its SLAPP lawsuit against @aardrian.bsky.social
"This AudioEye lawsuit that seeks to silence a well respected accessibility advocate also impacts potential customers of overlay companies who deserve accurate information about the product..."
"This AudioEye lawsuit that seeks to silence a well respected accessibility advocate also impacts potential customers of overlay companies who deserve accurate information about the product..."
www.lflegal.com
July 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
On this day in 2023 (give or take), #AudioEye dropped its SLAPP lawsuit against @aardrian.bsky.social
"This AudioEye lawsuit that seeks to silence a well respected accessibility advocate also impacts potential customers of overlay companies who deserve accurate information about the product..."
"This AudioEye lawsuit that seeks to silence a well respected accessibility advocate also impacts potential customers of overlay companies who deserve accurate information about the product..."
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
Woof. 5 years since I kicked off my “[overlay] Will Get You Sued” series, which helped lead to a million dollar fine earlier this year by the FTC against accessiBe for its constant lies.
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
On this day in 2020, @aardrian.bsky.social wrote about how #accessiBe will get you sued. He detailed how it's inaccessible, the many lawsuits that they're named in, how they pays for praise, disable automated a11y checkers, misrepresent the ADA, don't understand WCAG, and much more.
#accessiBe Will Get You Sued
Disclaimer: This post and the headline is my opinion. I provide facts throughout to inform that opinion. I say this because accessiBe managed to get $40 million in two rounds of funding from K1 Capita...
adrianroselli.com
June 30, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Woof. 5 years since I kicked off my “[overlay] Will Get You Sued” series, which helped lead to a million dollar fine earlier this year by the FTC against accessiBe for its constant lies.
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
bsky.app/profile/over...
Yes, I’m taking some credit for that.
#accessiBe #overlay #accessibility #a11y
On this day in 2022, a conference paper compared accessiBe, UserWay, and EqualWeb raised two questions:
1. To what extent overlay tools provide real accessibility improvements?
2. Is it possible to identify possibilities and limitations and therefore suggest potential improvements?
1. To what extent overlay tools provide real accessibility improvements?
2. Is it possible to identify possibilities and limitations and therefore suggest potential improvements?
Overlay Tools as a Support for Accessible Websites – Possibilities and Limitations
Current laws and directives such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the European Union’s Directive 2016/2102 aim to support people with disabilities. At the same time, they also represent a…
link.springer.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
On this day in 2022, a conference paper compared accessiBe, UserWay, and EqualWeb raised two questions:
1. To what extent overlay tools provide real accessibility improvements?
2. Is it possible to identify possibilities and limitations and therefore suggest potential improvements?
1. To what extent overlay tools provide real accessibility improvements?
2. Is it possible to identify possibilities and limitations and therefore suggest potential improvements?
On this day in 2020, @aardrian.bsky.social wrote about how #accessiBe will get you sued. He detailed how it's inaccessible, the many lawsuits that they're named in, how they pays for praise, disable automated a11y checkers, misrepresent the ADA, don't understand WCAG, and much more.
#accessiBe Will Get You Sued
Disclaimer: This post and the headline is my opinion. I provide facts throughout to inform that opinion. I say this because accessiBe managed to get $40 million in two rounds of funding from K1 Capita...
adrianroselli.com
June 30, 2025 at 2:52 AM
On this day in 2020, @aardrian.bsky.social wrote about how #accessiBe will get you sued. He detailed how it's inaccessible, the many lawsuits that they're named in, how they pays for praise, disable automated a11y checkers, misrepresent the ADA, don't understand WCAG, and much more.
The Overlay Timeline wishes a Happy "National Federation of the Blind Bans AccessiBe from its National Convention" Day to all who have been celebrating since 2021. 🎉
National Convention Sponsorship Statement Regarding accessiBe | National Federation of the Blind
Baltimore, Maryland (June 24, 2021): The National Federation of the Blind, America’s civil rights organization of blind people, carries out the will of blind Americans as expressed through the National...
nfb.org
June 26, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The Overlay Timeline wishes a Happy "National Federation of the Blind Bans AccessiBe from its National Convention" Day to all who have been celebrating since 2021. 🎉
On this day in 2020, Timothy Springer, CEO of Level Access, wrote an article thoroughly exploring the shortcomings of accessibility overlay products. He argues that these products over-promise and under-deliver, putting clients and users at risk while failing to achieve true ADA compliance.
Lies, Damned Lies, Overlays and Widgets
Since the publication of this post, I have closely monitored the advancement of overlay technology capabilities. My position on these tools has evolved based on many factors, including the impact of…
www.linkedin.com
June 25, 2025 at 6:27 PM
On this day in 2020, Timothy Springer, CEO of Level Access, wrote an article thoroughly exploring the shortcomings of accessibility overlay products. He argues that these products over-promise and under-deliver, putting clients and users at risk while failing to achieve true ADA compliance.
On this day in 2024, the Tribeca Skin Center files a class action lawsuit against accessiBe in the southern district of NY for false claims.
accessiBe claimed their Terms of Service disclaims any warranty that a customer's site will be accessible.
lol. lmao.
overlaytimeline.com#2024-06-24
accessiBe claimed their Terms of Service disclaims any warranty that a customer's site will be accessible.
lol. lmao.
overlaytimeline.com#2024-06-24
June 25, 2025 at 1:03 AM
On this day in 2024, the Tribeca Skin Center files a class action lawsuit against accessiBe in the southern district of NY for false claims.
accessiBe claimed their Terms of Service disclaims any warranty that a customer's site will be accessible.
lol. lmao.
overlaytimeline.com#2024-06-24
accessiBe claimed their Terms of Service disclaims any warranty that a customer's site will be accessible.
lol. lmao.
overlaytimeline.com#2024-06-24
On this day in 2020, The Next Web publishes an article paid-for by ACE, an accessiBe product. This is disclosed only at the end of the article, which boasts about accessiBe using AI, testing 10 million websites, and being very affordable. Given the legal risks of using it, it's none of these things.
Why your website’s lack of accessibility options is opening you up to lawsuits
Throughout this pandemic, we’ve all experienced a dramatic shift in our relationships with our devices. For a world that’s already become addicted to the internet, this addiction suddenly…
thenextweb.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
On this day in 2020, The Next Web publishes an article paid-for by ACE, an accessiBe product. This is disclosed only at the end of the article, which boasts about accessiBe using AI, testing 10 million websites, and being very affordable. Given the legal risks of using it, it's none of these things.
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
Lucy has opinions about overlays that should feel familiar to just about everyone:
“Don’t use that accessibility overlay”
accessaces.com/dont-use-tha...
Definitely don’t use ones that collude with drive-by lawsuit attorneys.
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
“Don’t use that accessibility overlay”
accessaces.com/dont-use-tha...
Definitely don’t use ones that collude with drive-by lawsuit attorneys.
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
Don’t use that accessibility overlay
For about ten years, there has been an increase in web sites using accessibility overlays. These tools are never as good as their marketing implies. In fact, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has …
accessaces.com
June 17, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Lucy has opinions about overlays that should feel familiar to just about everyone:
“Don’t use that accessibility overlay”
accessaces.com/dont-use-tha...
Definitely don’t use ones that collude with drive-by lawsuit attorneys.
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
“Don’t use that accessibility overlay”
accessaces.com/dont-use-tha...
Definitely don’t use ones that collude with drive-by lawsuit attorneys.
#accessibility #a11y #overlay
Reposted by Overlay Timeline
This is the first time I’ve heard of a web #accessibility lawsuit *demanding* an overlay:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
I am assuming incompetence (Hanlon’s razor), but given the amoral and illegal behavior of some #overlay companies, I have to be open to collusion.
No link to filing.
#a11y
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
I am assuming incompetence (Hanlon’s razor), but given the amoral and illegal behavior of some #overlay companies, I have to be open to collusion.
No link to filing.
#a11y
Talked with a site owner this afternoon who has received a subpoena for a website accessibility suit. | Bet Hannon
Talked with a site owner this afternoon who has received a subpoena for a website accessibility suit. Typical serial plaintiff, with dozens of cookie-cutter suits. What isn't typical however, is t...
www.linkedin.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
This is the first time I’ve heard of a web #accessibility lawsuit *demanding* an overlay:
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
I am assuming incompetence (Hanlon’s razor), but given the amoral and illegal behavior of some #overlay companies, I have to be open to collusion.
No link to filing.
#a11y
www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
I am assuming incompetence (Hanlon’s razor), but given the amoral and illegal behavior of some #overlay companies, I have to be open to collusion.
No link to filing.
#a11y
On this day in 2023, UserWay removes all code that changes page content when the WAVE accessibility extensions are activated. WAVE makes plans to remove the warning message about such changes on pages with UserWay installed. accessiBe continues to change page content.
WebAIM (@webaim)
After a productive dialog this week with UserWay, they have removed all code that changes page content when the WAVE accessibility extensions are activated. A near-future update to WAVE will remove…
fxtwitter.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
On this day in 2023, UserWay removes all code that changes page content when the WAVE accessibility extensions are activated. WAVE makes plans to remove the warning message about such changes on pages with UserWay installed. accessiBe continues to change page content.
On this day in 2023, WebAIM releases an update to WAVE accessibility tools informing users that accessiBe and UserWay may manipulate page content to suppress detection of accessibility errors, such as making all text black on white, give all images alt="image", etc. resulting in zero WAVE errors.
WebAIM (@webaim)
We've released a new update to the WAVE accessibility tools with numerous improvements and bug fixes. This version now informs users that accessiBe and UserWay overlays may manipulate page content to…
fxtwitter.com
June 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
On this day in 2023, WebAIM releases an update to WAVE accessibility tools informing users that accessiBe and UserWay may manipulate page content to suppress detection of accessibility errors, such as making all text black on white, give all images alt="image", etc. resulting in zero WAVE errors.