Color Overlay - Online Screen Masking Tool. 

Cost: Free | Platforms: Desktop and Laptop, Add-on for Chrome Browser from Chrome Webstore. 

‘Color Overlay’ is a screen masking tool that adds a colour tint to your laptop/desktop screen to create a better reading experience. For some people reading black text on a white background can be challenging so using screen masking tools may help to create not only a better but longer reading experience. 

Most useful for: Reading online can be a challenge for some so these online colour overlays can aid this reading experience. 

Where do I go to add an extension to my Chrome browser? 

If you use the Chrome Browser then you can avail of an app store like site called Chrome Web Store that has a variety of Chrome browser apps that you can add to your browser. These apps will appear in the top right corner of your browser as you add them to Chrome. 

• When you go to the Chrome Web Store you just search for ‘Color Overlay’. 

• Select the ‘Add to Chrome’ Button. (At some stage you may be asked to sign into your Chrome Browser using your Gmail address). 

Its key features are: 

• It creates a better reader experience for the person. 

• It allows you to choose a wide range of colours and the density of the colour so the colour can be tailored to your specific needs. 

• It is very easy to use and once your colour has been chosen you simple click the ‘Color Overlay’ button, in the top right of your Chrome browser, to switch the tool on and off. 

• You can also save up to 6 colours in the 6 square slots – select a colour and then select the empty box. Double click the coloured square then to activate the colour (as seen below in the image).

Our Top Tips:  

• Explore the colour range as some colours will work better for you than others. 

• If any issue occurs with a Chrome Add on then just refresh the page via the circular arrow in the top left of the Chrome browser. 

• To remove a Chrome add just put your mouse over the Chrome icon in the top right of the page, and left click on the icon to revel a context menu. Select ‘Remove from Chrome’ to delete the add-on. 

• Windows has options for colour filters for your laptop/desktop - it's worth exploring these options. 

Learn more about colour filters for your devices> 

For More Advice:  

• If you are a student in Higher Education, speak to your Assistive Technology Officer or Disability Officer /Learning Support Officer.  

• If you are a Student in the FET/ETB then it may be possible to speak to an Educational Needs Coordinator, Learning Support Coordinator, Student Access Officer, Student Support Coordinator or a Disability Support Officer for more information about assistive technology.  

• If you are an Employee and are interested in this technology then speak to your Disability Liaison Officer (public service) or your Line Manager to start the conversation.