Accessibility Testing: The Complete Guide
Tags: testing, accessibilitytesting, testautomation, softwaretesting
Published: 2023-07-27 07:11:20

Did you know that more than one billion people have disabilities worldwide? Moreover, around 15% of the world's population has some form of disability. This number is expected to increase as the global population ages. 

Accessibility testing evaluates a website or application to ensure that people with disabilities can use it.
In this blog post, we'll dive deep into what Accessibility testing is, why it is essential, and how it can be implemented. We'll also explore some of the most popular [accessibility testing tools](https://testsigma.com/blog/accessibility-testing-tool/) available and how they work.

## What is Accessibility Testing?

Accessibility Testing evaluates digital content to ensure it is available to all users despite their abilities or disabilities. This testing guarantees that individuals with disabilities can access and use digital content without facing any barriers. Accessibility testing involves a range of tools and techniques to assess the content's compliance with established criteria, including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

By conducting accessibility testing, organizations can ensure that they are providing equal access to information and services for everyone.

## Why is Accessibility Testing Important?

Here are the reasons why accessibility testing is important:
 
i. **Legal Requirements:** Accessibility testing is necessary to comply with legal requirements such as Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

ii. **User Experience:** Accessibility testing ensures all users have a positive user experience, regardless of their abilities.

iii. **Brand Reputation:** Brands prioritizing accessibility testing portray themselves as inclusive and mindful of their users' needs.

iv. **Increased Market Reach:** By making digital content accessible to all, companies can reach a wider audience, including people with disabilities.

v. **Social Responsibility:** Making websites and applications accessible is a social responsibility that demonstrates a company's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

vi. **Future-Proofing:** Accessibility testing future-proofs digital content by ensuring it remains accessible as technology advances and new devices are introduced.

## How to perform Web Accessibility testing?

To perform web accessibility testing, one must first understand the guidelines set forth by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines provide a framework for creating accessible web content for individuals with disabilities. Once you become familiar with the guidelines, you can perform testing using automated and manual techniques. 

There are many automated tools available that can help identify accessibility issues on a website, such as WAVE, Axe, and Tenon.io. These tools can scan a website and provide a report of any accessibility issues found. Overall, web Accessibility Testing requires careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of accessibility guidelines and user needs.

## Benefits of Accessibility Testing

The below mentioned are a few benefits:

i. Improved user experience for individuals with disabilities

ii. Increased website or application usability for all users

iii. Compliance with accessibility laws and regulations

iv. Avoidance of potential legal issues and penalties

v. Enhanced brand reputation as a socially responsible organization

vi. Potential increase in website traffic and customer base due to improved accessibility.

## Myths and Facts about Accessibility Testing

Let's bust some myths and get the facts straight!

i. **Myth:** Accessibility testing is only necessary for people with disabilities.Fact: Accessibility testing benefits everyone, including those without disabilities, by improving usability and user experience.

ii. **Myth:** Automated accessibility testing tools can catch all accessibility issues.Fact: Automated tools can only catch a portion of accessibility issues, and manual testing by experts is necessary to ensure full compliance.

iii. **Myth:** Accessibility testing is expensive and time-consuming.Fact: While accessibility testing may require some initial investment, it saves time and money by preventing legal issues, improving user satisfaction, and increasing website traffic.

iv. **Myth:** Accessibility testing only applies to websites.Fact: Accessibility testing applies to all digital content, including mobile apps, software applications, and electronic documents.

v. **Myth:** Accessibility testing is a one-time task.Fact: Accessibility testing should continue as new content is added or updated on a website or application.

## Types of Accessibility Testing

There are four types of Accessibility Testing.

i. **[Automated testing](https://testsigma.com/automated-testing)**: This type of accessibility testing involves using software tools to test the accessibility of a website or application. These tools can scan the code and identify potential issues, such as missing alt text for images or improper use of headings. Automated testing is efficient and can quickly identify many common accessibility issues.

ii. **Manual code review:** A manual code review involves a human expert reviewing the code of a website or application to identify any potential accessibility issues. This type of testing is more thorough than automated testing, as it can catch issues that software tools may not identify. Manual code review requires expertise in web development and accessibility guidelines.

iii. **UX review:** A UX (user experience) review focuses on the overall user experience of a website or application, including its accessibility. This testing involves evaluating the design, layout, and functionality of the site or app to ensure that it is easy for all users, including those with disabilities.

iv. **User testing:** During user testing, individuals with disabilities provide feedback on their experience using the website or application. This feedback can be used to identify any accessibility issues and make necessary improvements. It is important to prioritize accessibility in web development to ensure all users can easily access and use the site or app, regardless of their abilities.

### Manual Accessibility Testing

Let us discuss Manual Accessibility Testing first. Manual accessibility testing is a process of evaluating the accessibility of a website or application through manual inspection and testing. It involves reviewing the design, layout, and functionality of the website or application to ensure that people with disabilities can use it. 

The purpose of manual accessibility testing is to identify any barriers that may prevent people with disabilities from accessing and using the website or application. This includes evaluating color, contrast, font size, and other design elements that may impact readability and usability for people with visual impairments.

Manual accessibility testing also involves evaluating keyboard navigation, screen readers, and other assistive technologies that people with disabilities commonly use. This helps to ensure that the website or application can be accessed and used by people who rely on these technologies.

To perform manual accessibility testing, testers typically use a combination of tools and techniques. These can include assistive technologies like screen readers and magnifiers, keyboard-only navigation, and color contrast analysis.

While manual testing can be time-consuming and require a lot of expertise, it's important to ensure that websites and applications are accessible to everyone.

### Automated Accessibility Testing

Automated Accessibility Testing refers to using software tools to evaluate the accessibility of a website or application. These tools scan the code and content of the site, looking for potential accessibility issues such as missing alt text on images, improper use of headings, or insufficient color contrast.

One of the primary benefits of Automated Accessibility Testing is that it can quickly identify potential issues that may be missed during manual testing. It also allows developers to test their code more frequently and catch accessibility issues early in development, saving time and resources in the long run.

## Your Top Accessibility Testing Tools

Though there are many Accessibility Testing tools, here are some top tools you can use: Here are the top 5 accessibility testing tools and a detailed explanation of each:

i. **Axe:** Axe is an open-source accessibility testing tool that can be used as a browser extension or integrated into your development workflow. It provides detailed reports on accessibility issues and offers suggestions for how to fix them.

ii. **Wave:** Wave is another open-source accessibility testing tool that can be used as a browser extension or integrated into your development workflow. It provides visual feedback on accessibility issues and offers suggestions for how to fix them.

iii. **AChecker:** AChecker is a web-based accessibility testing tool that tests individual pages or entire websites. It provides detailed reports on accessibility issues and offers suggestions for how to fix them.

iv. **Tenon:** Tenon is a cloud-based accessibility testing tool that can be integrated into your development workflow. With its user-friendly interface and complete reporting, Tenon is a valuable asset for any development team looking to create accessible and inclusive digital experiences.

## Checklist for Website Accessibility Testing

Let's check out some important stuff on the list for Website Accessibility Testing!

i. Use a screen reader to navigate the website.

ii. Check for keyboard accessibility and ensure all functions can be accessed without a mouse.

iii. Verify that all images have alt-text descriptions.

iv. Ensure that color contrast meets accessibility standards.

v. Test for readability and ensure font sizes are adjustable.

vi. Check for proper use of headings and subheadings.

vii. Verify that all forms have labels and are accessible with assistive technology.

viii. Test video and audio content for closed captioning or transcripts.

ix. Ensure the website is navigatable with assistive technology such as voice recognition software or switch devices.

## Summing Up

To sum up, accessibility testing is essential to ensure digital products and services are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.