Overlay widgets
- Mask problems instead of fixing the code
- Can interfere with the screen readers people already rely on
- Many assistive technology users block them
- Testers look right past them
ADA compliance
Website accessibility, explained in plain language
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, every business website should be accessible to individuals with disabilities, and courts increasingly apply that standard online. Here is what you need to know.
Why it matters
Accessibility means people with disabilities can find your menu, book a table and contact you on their own. That includes visitors who are blind or have low vision, who navigate by keyboard, are deaf or hard of hearing, or live with cognitive or motor disabilities. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the standard most commonly used to measure it.
The truth about overlays
Overlay widgets promise instant ADA compliance. They do not fix the underlying code, and sites using them still receive demand letters and lawsuits.
The J.S. MediaDesign approach
- We remove overlays and fix the real code
- Works with the tools disabled visitors already use
- Tested by a real person, page by page
- Documented so you can show your good-faith work
Overlay tools add a widget on top of your site instead of fixing the code underneath. Many disability advocates and accessibility professionals oppose them, and the Federal Trade Commission took action against one overlay vendor in 2025 over its compliance claims. If your site has an overlay, we remove it and fix the real issues.
How ADA demand letters work
- 01
The demand letter
A law firm writes on behalf of a plaintiff, alleging your website has barriers under ADA Title III.
- 02
The settlement demand
They ask for payment, attorney fees and remediation, usually with a short deadline.
- 03
The lawsuit
If it is not resolved, a complaint is filed in federal court.
- 04
The next letter
Settling once does not stop the next plaintiff if the site is still inaccessible.
Received a letter? Here is how we help.
J.S. MediaDesign is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We work alongside your attorney on the technical side.
- Rapid audit of the issues named in the letter and beyond
- Prioritized remediation of the real code
- Testing reports and documentation for your records
If you receive a demand letter
- Do not ignore it. Deadlines are short.
- Contact your attorney. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice.
- Do not make quick fixes alone. An overlay or a rushed patch will not solve the problem.
- Contact us. We audit, remediate and document, and work alongside your attorney on the technical side.
- Keep records. Testing reports and remediation logs show your good-faith effort.
Third-party platforms, honestly
Reservation, ordering and gift card platforms run their own code, which no website developer can change. Here is what we do: test them and document any barriers, choose the most accessible way to connect them to your site, make everything around them accessible, add an accessible alternative such as a phone number or email for reservations, and report issues to the vendor. When it is time to switch, we help you choose a more accessible platform.
Common barriers we find on restaurant websites
J.S. MediaDesign is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information on this page is for general purposes only. For legal questions, consult an attorney.
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