Before You Install a Free Accessibility Plugin...
Ask the average person what comes to mind when they hear the words 'web accessibility,' and they'll almost certainly point to that familiar wheelchair-icon button that follows visitors across a website.
Ask a web accessibility expert, however... and you'll get a very different answer. :)
Here, we want to share our perspective in a way that changes how you think about accessible websites — a straight-talking answer, free of jargon or confusing terminology.
And alongside this guide, we invite you to reach out and consult with us on any question you may have.
An Accessibility Button Is Not a Solution — at Best, It's a Partial One
We feel it's important to open this article with exactly that statement: an accessibility widget does not provide a complete accessibility solution.
Many website owners, developers, and SEO professionals turn to quick fixes like accessibility plugins available for download — for example, as a WordPress plugin.
Free automated accessibility plugins (and some paid ones too) are installed on top of a website and offer a range of features designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities, such as:
- Text resizing — increasing or decreasing font size.
- Color contrast adjustment — modifying the site's colors to improve readability.
- Keyboard navigation support — allowing users to navigate the site using only a keyboard, without a mouse.
- And more.
Sounds great! So why isn't it enough? We'll break the answer down into two key points:
Handling Complex Accessibility Requirements on an Individual Basis
Free accessibility plugins offer what we'd call 'surface-level' solutions — meaning they don't account for the various complexities of true accessibility.
For example: They don't always handle links that need descriptive labels, form fields that require context, or complex forms that need manual adjustments by an accessibility expert.
Similarly, websites that rely on third-party integrations — such as registration systems or payment gateways — are essentially embedding an external platform into their site. Only an accessibility expert can evaluate that external system and determine whether it meets legal accessibility requirements or identify areas for improvement.
Is There a Full Accessibility Platform Behind That Widget?
This is the single most important point on the topic — and it's something many people who contact us simply don't know.
An accessibility plugin is not what enables true website accessibility. What actually powers website accessibility is the platform operating behind the button.
In other words: if you've downloaded a free accessibility widget, it only applies generic cosmetic features automatically — ones that can be applied to any website without accounting for its unique characteristics.
By contrast, accessibility widgets provided by professional web accessibility companies like ours come bundled with a platform connected to that button. Installing our accessibility widget links our software directly to your website — and that's what allows us to perform both automated and manual accessibility remediation.
A Few More Reasons Why Accessibility Widgets Can't Deliver Full Compliance
Accessibility plugins are an indispensable tool in the day-to-day work of web accessibility experts. Don't get us wrong — we're not dismissing the need for them.
However, they can sometimes require additional testing due to compatibility issues. For instance, we occasionally find that a plugin doesn't function fully with a particular website platform, browser, or mobile operating system.
Plugins operate automatically, and we do stand fully behind the one we offer — it does outstanding work. That said, relying on a plugin alone is never enough. There will always be cases where a plugin doesn't address every single aspect of accessibility. Simply put, there is no real substitute for a manual review that ties up loose ends.
Finally, accessibility plugins require ongoing maintenance and regular updates. You want someone to 'own' the plugin — to make sure it's working correctly, staying compliant, and keeping pace with the changes and evolving standards in the web accessibility space.
Manual Accessibility Remediation Always Has a Role to Play
To truly make your website accessible, working with an accessibility expert is essential. We're not saying that because we're biased or because we provide accessibility services — we're saying it because it's simply the truth.
Only accessibility experts who review a website from top to bottom can verify that it genuinely meets legal requirements, identify issues that need custom solutions, and deliver fixes grounded in real experience and expertise.
As accessibility experts, we review every page of your site — including text, images, forms, and dynamic content — identify a wide range of issues, provide actionable improvement recommendations, guide you on what to do and how to do it, and wherever possible, implement the most comprehensive solutions from our end.
Talk to a USER-A Accessibility Expert
First of all, we hope this article has brought some clarity — and led you to the important conclusion that accessibility widgets on their own have value, but they must be part of a comprehensive accessibility strategy.
If you have further questions, want to learn more about our services, or would like details about making your website accessible, we'd be happy to help with anything you need.
One final note — and it's an important one: our pricing is flat and consistent across all websites for a full year. One solution that includes an accessibility widget, manual remediation, and technical support throughout the year. We look forward to hearing from you! — The USER-A Team.