{"id":238,"slug":"rule-accessibility-is-architecture-not-overlay","title":"RULE: Accessibility is architecture, not an overlay. Never sell or install an accessibility overlay widget.","kind":"rule","scope":"business","status":"current","audiences":["kevin","claude-code","smb-owner","candid-team"],"topics":["agency-methodology","regulatory-compliance","accessibility"],"reference_body":"**Rule:** Candid Creative client sites achieve WCAG conformance through **architectural choices** — semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, screen-reader labels, color contrast — not via overlay widgets. **Never sell, install, or recommend an accessibility overlay** (accessiBe, UserWay, AccessiBe, EqualWeb, etc.).\n\n**Why:**\n- FTC ordered accessiBe to pay **$1M** in January 2025 for *\"deceptive claims that its AI product could make websites compliant\"* ([[ftc-accessibe-1m-settlement-jan-2025]])\n- Overlays don't fix accessibility — they layer JS over an inaccessible page. Disabled users routinely disable the overlays.\n- Litigation surface remains: 46% of federal ADA cases involve repeat defendants ([[usablenet-2025-5000-ada-lawsuits-46pct-repeat]]); 95% of sites fail basic WCAG; 40% of new filings are pro se ([[accessibility-95pct-fail-wcag-40pct-pro-se-ai]])\n- EU EAA enforceable since June 28, 2025 with revenue-scaled penalties ([[eu-accessibility-act-enforcement-june-2025]])\n\n**How to apply:**\n- Accessibility audit at design phase, not after launch\n- Semantic HTML (`<button>`, `<nav>`, `<main>`) over `<div>` soup\n- Color contrast checks in design system (4.5:1 minimum text)\n- Keyboard navigation tested before each release\n- Automated testing in CI (axe, pa11y) + manual screen-reader sweep before launch\n- If a client *insists* on an overlay (often because a competitor showed them one), document the FTC settlement in writing and decline to install. The shared-risk argument: the agency that installed accessiBe sites in 2023 is the agency whose clients are receiving 2025 ADA filings.","rationale_body":null,"metadata":null,"links":{"outgoing":[{"slug":"ftc-accessibe-1m-settlement-jan-2025","title":"FTC (Jan 3, 2025): accessiBe ordered to pay $1M for deceptive claims its AI overlay could make sites WCAG-compliant","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"depends-on"},{"slug":"usablenet-2025-5000-ada-lawsuits-46pct-repeat","title":"UsableNet 2025: 5,000+ digital accessibility lawsuits filed; 46% of federal cases involve repeat defendants","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"depends-on"},{"slug":"accessibility-95pct-fail-wcag-40pct-pro-se-ai","title":"Accessibility: 95% of sites fail basic WCAG; 40% of new federal ADA filings are pro se (AI-assisted)","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"depends-on"},{"slug":"eu-accessibility-act-enforcement-june-2025","title":"European Accessibility Act enforcement began June 28, 2025 — penalties up to €100k (Germany), 4-5% revenue (France/Italy)","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"depends-on"}],"incoming":[{"slug":"research-brief-built-to-last","title":"Research brief: Built to Last — why most SMB sites rebuild every 3-4 years (piece 5 of 15)","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"},{"slug":"elementor-github-issue-11779-accessibility","title":"Elementor GitHub Issue #11779 (open): \"Elementor is not fully compliant out of the box and breaks many accessibility rules\"","kind":"reference","scope":"business","link_type":"relates-to"}]},"created_at":"2026-05-22T19:58:12.903Z","updated_at":"2026-05-22T19:58:12.903Z"}