What is Accessibility Testing? A Complete Guide

Have you ever struggled to use a website? Maybe the text was too small, the colors were hard to distinguish, or the navigation was confusing. These challenges are common for people with disabilities, but they can affect anyone. Accessibility testing, often shortened to “A11y,” is about making sure websites are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities. It’s about creating a digital world where inclusion is the norm. By understanding and implementing accessibility standards, we can design websites that cater to a wider audience and provide a better user experience for all.

What is A11y?

Accessibility, or A11y, is about creating digital experiences that work for everyone. This means designing websites and applications that can be used by people with a wide range of abilities, from visual impairments to motor difficulties. It’s about ensuring that digital technology is inclusive and accessible to all.

Levels of Accessibility

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have three levels to measure how accessible a website is:

• Level A: This is the basic level. It covers essential accessibility features that help most people with disabilities.
• Level AA: Building on Level A, this level offers a higher standard of accessibility, accommodating a wider range of disabilities. It’s the most common level for website accessibility.
• Level AAA: This is the highest level of accessibility. It aims to make websites usable by almost everyone, including those with the most severe disabilities. Achieving Level AAA is often challenging and might not be practical for all websites.

Unveiling the Tools: Manual vs. Automated Testing for Accessibility

There are two main approaches to accessibility testing: manual and automated.

1. Manual Testing

In today’s digital world, ensuring everyone has an equal experience online is crucial. Manual accessibility testing plays a vital role in achieving this goal. It’s a behind-the-scenes process that mimics real-user experiences to identify potential barriers for users with diverse abilities. Through manual testing, websites can be optimized for inclusivity, fostering a welcoming online environment for all.

But how is manual accessibility testing conducted? Stay tuned as we explore the two key methods used to create a more accessible web.

1. Proofreading

For accessibility testers, proofreading goes beyond catching typos and grammatical errors. It’s about ensuring the content is clear, concise, and understandable for users with a wider range of abilities. Here’s how testers can elevate their proofreading skills:

• Think User-Centric: Imagine a user with low vision or cognitive disabilities navigating the content. Can they grasp the meaning without difficulty? Prioritize plain language, avoid jargon, and break down complex sentences.
• Scrutinize Instructions and Labels: Focus on clarity and functionality. Are instructions specific and easy to follow? Are labels on buttons and forms descriptive and unambiguous? Users with motor impairments or cognitive limitations rely on clear labelling for successful interaction.
• Test Alternative Text (Alt Text) for Images: Alt text describes an image for screen readers used by visually impaired users. Ensure the Alt Text accurately reflects the image content and conveys its purpose within the context of the page.
• Hunt for Cultural Insensitivity: Be mindful of language that might be culturally biased or confusing for international users. Opt for inclusive language and consider offering content in multiple languages if necessary.
• Consistency is Key: Maintain consistent terminology, formatting, and voice throughout the content. This creates a predictable experience for users with cognitive disabilities who rely on patterns and structure.
• Embrace Technology, but Verify: Utilize automated spell checkers and grammar tools, but remember, they might miss accessibility concerns. Always double-check their suggestions and test the content with assistive technologies.

By adopting this meticulous approach to proofreading, testers can ensure content is not only error-free but also fosters an accessible and inclusive user experience.

2. Core Concept Check Sheet

As an accessibility tester, you’re the champion for inclusive design. This expanded checklist delves deeper into core accessibility principles, equipping you to identify and address potential barriers for various elements:

1. Headings:

• Structure: Verify a logical progression of headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.), creating a clear hierarchy for screen reader navigation. Test if headings accurately reflect the content they introduce.
• Screen Reader Test: Use a screen reader to navigate by headings. Does the order make sense? Can users easily skip to relevant sections?

2. Links:

• Descriptive Text: Ensure link text clearly describes the destination of the link, avoiding generic terms like “Click Here.” Test if the link text alone conveys meaning without relying on surrounding context.
• Keyboard Navigation: Test if links can be accessed and activated using the keyboard’s Tab key and Enter key. This is crucial for users who rely on keyboard navigation.
• Focus Indication: Verify that links have a clear visual indicator (like a color change or outline) when they receive focus with the keyboard or assistive technology. This helps users track their location on the page.

3. Lists:

• List Types: Identify the list type (unordered, ordered, definition) and ensure it’s coded correctly using appropriate HTML tags. Screen readers announce list types, impacting user understanding.
• List Structure: Test if nested lists are clear and well-organized. Complex nesting can be confusing for screen reader users.

4. Images:

• Alternative Text (Alt Text): Verify all images have descriptive Alt Text that conveys the image’s content and purpose within the context of the page. Test if Alt Text accurately reflects the image and is not overly verbose.
• Long Descriptions: For complex images, consider providing a long description for screen reader users, offering additional details beyond the Alt Text.

5. Color and Contrast:

• Contrast Checker: Utilize a contrast checker tool to evaluate the color contrast between text and background. Insufficient contrast can hinder readability for users with visual impairments.
• Context Matters: Test contrast not only for text but also for interactive elements like buttons and form fields. Ensure they meet sufficient contrast requirements.

6. Tables:

• Table Structure: Verify the table has a clear header row and proper identification of headers and data cells. Screen readers announce table structure, impacting user comprehension.
• Keyboard Navigation: Test if users can navigate through the table using the keyboard and understand the relationships between cells.

7. Audio and Video:

• Transcripts: For audio content, ensure transcripts are available for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Audio Descriptions: For video content, consider providing audio descriptions for users who are blind or visually impaired, describing the visual elements of the video.
• Closed Captions: Test if closed captions are available and synchronized with the video content.

8. Keyboard Navigation:

• Tab Key: Test if all interactive elements (like links, buttons, and forms) can be accessed and operated sequentially using the Tab key. This is crucial for users who rely solely on the keyboard for navigation.
• Focus Order: Verify the focus order is logical and predictable as users navigate with the Tab key. An illogical order can be disorienting for keyboard users.

By meticulously following these guidelines, you can ensure a truly accessible experience for all users, regardless of ability.

2. Automated Testing (WAVE Tool)

Manual testing is a cornerstone of accessibility evaluation, but efficiency is key. Tools like WAVE can be your secret weapon, streamlining the process and revealing potential issues. Let’s delve into WAVE’s core functionalities and what to watch for within each category to ensure a more accessible web experience. This breakdown will equip you to leverage WAVE effectively, saving time and optimizing your accessibility testing strategy.

1. Errors (Critical Issues):

• Steps to Check: WAVE flags errors with a red exclamation mark icon. Clicking the icon reveals a detailed description of the issue and its potential impact on users.
• Things to Look Out For: Missing alternative text for images, improper use of color contrast, lack of keyboard accessibility for interactive elements, and structural errors in the HTML code.

2. Alerts (Potential Problems):

• Steps to Check: WAVE highlights potential problems with yellow diamond icons. Clicking the icon provides details about the issue and its potential consequences for accessibility.
• Things to Look Out For: Use of generic link text (“Click Here”), missing form labels, empty headings, and tables with overly complex structures.

3. Structure (Code Analysis):

• Steps to Check: This section analyzes the underlying code of the webpage. While WAVE doesn’t provide a detailed breakdown here, it might flag errors or alerts related to structural issues.
• Things to Look Out For: Missing or incorrect HTML tags for headings, lists, and tables. This can impact how screen readers interpret and announce the content.

4. Features (Accessibility of Implemented Features):

• Steps to Check: WAVE scans for common features like forms and tables and identifies potential accessibility concerns.
• Things to Look Out For: Forms lacking clear labels or proper keyboard navigation, tables without headers or insufficient contrast between text and background in tables.

5. Code (Accessibility Tags & Attributes):

• Steps to Check: Similar to the “Structure” section, this analyzes code but focuses on the presence and proper use of accessibility tags and attributes within the HTML.
• Things to Look Out For: Missing or incorrect ARIA attributes used to describe interactive elements and their functionality for assistive technologies.

Important Considerations:

• WAVE is a Starting Point: While WAVE identifies a wide range of issues, it can’t replace manual testing entirely. Human judgement is crucial for evaluating the user experience and uncovering nuances automated tools might miss.
• Focus on Errors & Alerts: Prioritize addressing critical errors and potential problems flagged by WAVE, as these have the most significant impact on accessibility.
• Combine with Manual Testing: Use WAVE in conjunction with manual testing using tools like screen readers and keyboard navigation to create a comprehensive accessibility testing strategy.

By understanding what WAVE checks for in each category, you can leverage its capabilities effectively and ensure a more thorough accessibility testing process.

Sifting through code and accessibility guidelines can feel challenging, but a little effort in accessibility testing is worth it. Tools like WAVE can help you spot issues that users with disabilities might face. Combined with manual testing, you can make the web more inclusive. The digital world should be a welcoming space for everyone. So, let’s work together to make the web more accessible, one website at a time.