If you have a more complicated website than your average blog or personal site, you may want to consider using an accessibility overlay. The small overlay pops up when your visitor clicks on an icon/link/button that can be used to make the website accessible for people who are visually impaired or perhaps struggling with dexterity, like arthritis.

An accessibility overlay explains how to navigate the website when using a keyboard. It is not designed to be used with a mouse unless you are physically unable to use it. You can use the overlay to explain how to use the website in an audio-visual way by demonstrating it with a screen reader.

10 Ways To Use An Accessibility Overlay To Increase Customer Conversions:

Call To Action

Include a clear call to action for those who have been helped by the overlay. It might be as simple as, “I hope that this has been helpful if you do not have access to a mouse.”

Offer Discounts

People with disabilities are at risk of poverty and social isolation, which means they have a higher chance of being unable to work. You can offer discounts for those who are unable to work. It is an easy way to help them out.

FAQs

You could ask your customers if there are any questions that they would like answered before the overlay pops up. That way, you will provide useful information without having to include it on the main site for everyone’s benefit.

Tutorials

If your website is complex, you could include a link to a set of tutorials that go through the basic functions and help people understand how the site works. You could even offer specific tutorials for those with disabilities if it helps them to use the site.

Customers With Disabilities

People with disabilities will be able to access your site, but they may need help from those who are close to them. By including a link near the overlay that allows someone to email or text your business, you can both provide people with information and allow those who support them to give feedback as well.

Clarity

If the purpose of your website is clear enough without an overlay, you could avoid using one. If you want to make the most of your website, try to make it understandable with or without an overlay.

Mobile-Friendly

The way that someone uses a disability may change depending on whether they are at home or on the move. People who have problems accessing websites may struggle even more when they are not at home, so you might want to make your site mobile-friendly as well.

Know Your Audience

It should go without saying that you need to understand your audience before using an accessibility overlay. This is not the way to cater for everyone, so try to create a website that does not require it first. You can then use the overlay to help a specific section of your audience.

Personalize

An overlay is a tool that allows you to communicate with your audience. You might want to include some personal touches and examples of how you can help, rather than simply providing text and links. It is a good opportunity to engage with your customers.

Include Your Own Personality

Don’t forget that you can give the overlay a personal touch by including your own personality and ensuring it reflects how you want people to see your business. By creating a unique overlay, it will stand out from other similar websites and allow you to engage with potential customers.