Avoiding The Accessibility Overlay Trap: Real Solutions for ADA-Compliant Multifamily Websites

Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series

Join Kerry W. Kirby and Jimmy Lancaster, the masterminds behind the Multifamily Tech Gurus Podcast Series, as they discuss the critical importance of building an inclusive digital experience for everyone and break down how properly implementing the latest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) across websites and related digital services can ensure compliance and create a seamless experience for all users, including those with disabilities.

In this episode, Kerry and Jimmy dive into the pitfalls of using accessibility overlay widgets as a quick-fix solution, explaining how these tools often fail to address the core coding issues that make navigation challenging for assistive technologies like screen readers. They discuss how overlays have been cited as inadequate for ADA compliance in recent lawsuits, with users arguing that overlays create a false sense of accessibility without genuinely meeting their needs.

Kerry and Jimmy’s Words of Wisdom: “Accessibility is essential in multifamily housing, especially given its connection to the Fair Housing Act. Property websites are the primary digital gateway for prospective and current residents to access information, apply for housing, and obtain services. Just as multifamily operators prioritize accessibility in their physical buildings, they should ensure equal access to their digital assets, enabling all users to engage fully, regardless of physical abilities.

Resources: Sparking Global Change Through Making Digital Services Accessible