diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a304ee70..7bb5d9ea 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@
 [![Coverage Status](https://img.shields.io/codecov/c/github/cakephp/acl.svg?style=flat-square)](https://codecov.io/github/cakephp/acl)
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-brightgreen.svg?style=flat-square)](LICENSE.txt)
 
+> ℹ️ **The ACL Plugin is not actively maintained by the CakePHP core team.** ℹ️ PR's to fix problems are welcome.
+>
+> As a modern alternative please check out the [Authentication](https://github.com/cakephp/authentication) and [Authorization](https://github.com/cakephp/authorization) plugins.
+
 A plugin for managing ACL in CakePHP applications.
 
 ## Installing via composer
diff --git a/src/Adapter/DbAcl.php b/src/Adapter/DbAcl.php
index af642231..a8476782 100644
--- a/src/Adapter/DbAcl.php
+++ b/src/Adapter/DbAcl.php
@@ -43,9 +43,9 @@
  */
 class DbAcl implements AclInterface
 {
-    private PermissionsTable $Permission;
-    private ArosTable $Aro;
-    private AcosTable $Aco;
+    protected PermissionsTable $Permission;
+    protected ArosTable $Aro;
+    protected AcosTable $Aco;
 
     /**
      * Constructor