Testing Accessibility: Building a Culture of Inclusivity in Web Applications
Tags: a11y, testing, frontend
Published: 2023-05-29 11:29:18

<img width="100%" style="width:100%" src="https://media.giphy.com/media/FspLvJQlQACXu/giphy.gif">


In today's digital world, it is crucial for web developers and designers to prioritize accessibility. Failure to create inclusive applications can prevent users with disabilities from accessing and using websites effectively. Marcy Sutton, an award-winning accessibility specialist and freelance web developer, offers a comprehensive self-paced workshop called Testing Accessibility. This workshop aims to equip developers, designers, and stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that web applications are accessible and usable for all users.

## The Accessibility Mindset Shift
To build accessible applications, a mindset shift is required, not just for developers but also for designers and stakeholders. Accessibility needs to be a core part of the product design process, where potential issues are identified and addressed early on. This section emphasizes the importance of prioritizing accessibility, understanding the business case, and fostering cross-team collaboration to create an organizational culture of accessibility.

## Plan and Execute in Every Area of Web Accessibility
This section focuses on the practical aspects of accessibility implementation. It covers foundational knowledge such as learning the common vocabulary and using industry-standard tools to identify accessibility issues. The section also highlights the significance of implementing best practices from the start, including developing complex interactions that support assistive technology and implementing automated testing to catch issues before deployment.

## A Repeatable, Well-Defined Process for Accessibility Testing
Testing Accessibility provides a concrete blueprint for accessibility testing, ensuring that stakeholders and colleagues are engaged in the process. It emphasizes the importance of identifying the highest value user flows in an application and documenting manual and automated testing plans. The section also emphasizes the need for focused unit testing and integration testing to simulate user interactions and discover accessibility issues before they reach production.

## Conclusion
Testing Accessibility offers a transformative learning experience that enables developers and designers to become accessibility champions in their organizations. By understanding accessibility essentials, testing existing applications, and building accessibly from the start, participants will gain the skills and confidence to create inclusive web applications. Marcy Sutton's expertise and practical approach make this workshop invaluable for both beginners and experienced professionals in the field.

## About Marcy Sutton
Marcy Sutton is a web developer, teacher, and speaker. She is passionate about improving web accessibility for people with disabilities and has worked with various organizations including Spotify, Microsoft, Google, Pinterest, T-Mobile, and more. Marcy has a background in software engineering, web development, and accessibility engineering. She has received recognition for her work in accessibility, including a Web Platform Award from O'Reilly. Marcy shares her knowledge through teaching and speaking engagements, and she runs a social coding group for women in her city. You can learn more about Marcy Sutton on her website [marcysutton.com](https://kdta.io/yjyf7).


From [Krunch team](https://kdta.io/xnhE4)