Every business must make sure that their websites are accessible to everyone equally, even to those with disabilities. This must include accommodation for those with impairments, such as hearing difficulties, blindness, or other limitations. That’s why software developers use accessibility testing to test if their applications comply with WCAG guidelines.

In this article, you'll see how vStellar Test plays a vital role in accessibility testing and how to do accessibility testing.

What Is Accessibility Testing?

Accessibility testing is a software testing process focused on verifying that applications are accessible and usable for individuals with disabilities. This includes people with hearing impairments, color blindness, or age-related challenges.

This form of testing is a subset of usability testing. It verifies compliance with accessibility standards to provide an inclusive user experience. QA teams use accessibility testing to evaluate how well software integrates with assistive technologies. It helps users navigate and interact with digital content.

Automated accessibility testing

Standard tools and technologies for providing accessibility in websites include:

Speech Recognition Software: Converts spoken input to text, allowing users to operate applications through voice commands.
Screen Reader Software: Audibly narrates on-screen text, supporting visually impaired users in navigating interfaces.
Screen Magnification Software: Enlarges screen elements for low-vision users, improving readability.
Special Keyboard: Custom-designed keyboards help users with limited mobility type more efficiently.

Why Is Accessibility Testing Important?

Around 20% of the global population lives with a disability, and this includes individuals who are blind, deaf, physically challenged or have age-related limitations. Approximately one in ten people have a severe disability, and half of those over age 65 experience reduced physical abilities.

Many governments require IT products to meet accessibility standards for equal access for users with disabilities. Key accessibility legislation includes:

United States: Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
United Kingdom: Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
Australia: Disability Discrimination Act (1992)
Ireland: Disability Act (2005)

Failure to provide accessible digital products can lead to costly legal disputes. Several major companies have faced lawsuits due to inaccessible technology, including high-profile cases like:

1) National Federation of the Blind (NFB) vs. Amazon (2007)

The National Federation of the Blind sued Amazon to make its Kindle e-reader more accessible for blind users. Amazon agreed to improve Kindle features, such as adding text-to-speech options, making it easier for visually impaired readers. This case highlighted the need for accessible e-books and helped push other companies to consider accessibility in their digital reading tools.

2) Sexton and NFB vs. Target (2006)

The NFB and Bruce Sexton, a blind student, sued Target because its website was complex for blind users to navigate. The court decided that websites, like stores, should be accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Target settled for $6 million and updated its site to improve accessibility. This case showed that websites need to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Different Types of Tests Done in Accessibility Testing

Teams can choose from manual, automated, or hybrid accessibility testing methods. The choice depends on the unique benefits, limitations, and specific project requirements. Manual and automated testing is recommended for a balanced approach to achieving a thorough evaluation. Let’s discuss differences.

Difference Between Manual and Automated Accessibility Testing

Here's a comparison table for Manual Accessibility Testing vs. Automated Accessibility Testing:

Aspect	Manual Accessibility Testing	Automated Accessibility Testing
Definition	Human testers interact with websites and applications to manually identify accessibility issues.	Uses tools to scan and analyze content, automatically detecting potential accessibility issues.
Advantages	Effective at finding nuanced, context-specific issues that require human judgment and may be missed by tools.	Quickly identifies common accessibility problems, allowing efficient detection of basic issues.

Accessibility testing covers multiple disability types, each requiring a unique testing approach. Here’s how QAs can improve usability across these categories:

1) Vision Disability Testing

Blindness: QAs test compatibility with screen readers like JAWS to confirm elements such as buttons, links, and images are correctly labeled and narrated.
Color Blindness: Using color contrast checkers, QAs verify that essential elements aren’t solely color-dependent, making adjustments like adding contrasting outlines.
Low Vision: QAs confirm text is legible at default and larger font sizes and check that layouts remain consistent when zoomed, which is crucial for readability.

2) Cognitive Disability Testing

Simplified Navigation: QAs test for logical, clear navigation, avoiding complex layouts or confusing instructions. Testing focus indicators and labeling help users with cognitive challenges understand page flow.
Readability: To check accessible font choices, simplified text, and straightforward icons supports better comprehension.

3) Hearing Disability Testing

Multimedia Accessibility: QAs check that audio and video content includes captions, transcripts, or alternative text, making information accessible for users with hearing impairments.
Visual Cues for Alerts: Important auditory alerts should be paired with visual cues, which QAs can test by muting audio and observing for visible notifications.

4) Physical Disability Testing

Keyboard Navigation: QAs test full site functionality using only the keyboard, checking users can tab through links, buttons, and forms. Visible focus indicators are essential here to guide users.
Alternative Input Devices: Testing for compatibility with tools like voice recognition software allows QAs to confirm accessibility for users who may not use a keyboard or mouse.

5) Literacy Disability Testing

Content Simplicity: QAs review site language for simplicity, checking content uses plain language and minimizing industry jargon.
Accessible Icons and Graphics: QAs assess whether visuals and icons represent functions or information, increasing comprehension for users with limited literacy.

vStellar Test Accessibility testing

Accessibility Testing Test Cases

It’s essential to identify specific test cases that demonstrate the comprehensive application of accessibility tests. An accessible app should function seamlessly with tools like screen readers, speech recognition software, and magnification features.

Below are some critical test cases for accessibility testing:

Image Accessibility: Make sure all images and decorative parts on your site have alt text so screen readers can describe them to visually impaired users.
Keyboard Functionality: Test your site using only keyboard shortcuts to confirm it’s easy to navigate without a mouse.
Color Contrast: Check that the colors of backgrounds, images, and text are clear enough for visually impaired users, including those with color blindness.
Input Field Labels: Label all form fields clearly. For example, if there’s an error, show a helpful message (like “incorrect value”) instead of just changing the color.
Multimedia Accessibility: Verify that all videos and audio clips have captions or transcripts so users with hearing impairments can still access the content.
Compliance with Accessibility Standards: Make sure your site meets accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), 2.1, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) so it’s usable for everyone and stays legally compliant.
Content Resizing: Allow users to resize text and content without losing readability so they can adjust it to their comfort level.

How QA Testers Do Accessibility Testing Using QA Software?

Accessibility testing can be automated with several low-code or no-code QA tools, allowing you to precisely handle every step. These tools create an environment of collaboration where there is less room for manual errors. So, here’s how this process goes:

Automated Accessibility Checks: QA testers rely on automation frameworks like vStellar Test to perform quick, automated scans of websites or applications. It highlights accessibility issues early in the app development stages.
Keyboard Navigation Testing: Automation tools can simulate keyboard-only navigation, allowing QA testers to verify users who rely on keyboards can navigate the site or app smoothly.
Screen Reader Simulation: QA testers use specialized automation tools to simulate screen reader experiences. This helps identify areas where screen readers may need help, like improperly labeled buttons or images without descriptive alt text.
Color Contrast Analysis: Automation tools assess color contrast to confirm that it meets accessibility standards. This is essential for users with low vision or color blindness, as poor contrast can make text and elements hard to see.
Compliance Validation: Automation tools can cross-check the website against accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) or ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), providing testers with a quick report on compliance.

accessibility test cases

Best Practices for Accessibility Testing

Start Testing Early and Frequently: Integrate accessibility checks throughout the development lifecycle, assessing it during design, development, and quality assurance (QA) phases to catch issues as they arise.
Combine Manual and Automated Testing: Both testing methods use automated tools to quickly identify common pitfalls while employing manual testing to uncover complex usability issues.
Engage Real Users: Conduct testing with diverse users, particularly those with disabilities, to gather valuable feedback on accessibility challenges.
Check Across Multiple Devices and Browsers: Test your application on various platforms and browsers, as accessibility can vary significantly depending on the device used.
Record and Monitor Issues: Maintain a detailed log of all accessibility issues identified during testing and track their resolution over time.
Conduct Regular Site Updates: As websites evolve, continuous accessibility testing is necessary to uphold compliance with the latest standards.
Adhere to Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The following WCAG provides a solid framework for achieving accessibility and compliance.
Select Appropriate Tools: Choose suitable accessibility testing tools that facilitate checks and integrate them into your development workflow.

vStellar Test’s Role in Accessibility Testing

vStellar Test provides a comprehensive solution for accessibility testing that combines detailed reporting, low code testing, and WCAG compliance. Here’s how vStellar Test’s accessibility testing framework enables QA testers to deliver inclusive, accessible software:

1) Automated Accessibility Testing Tools

vStellar Test offers an automated accessibility testing feature to streamline web accessibility testing. It helps detect accessibility issues in real-time, such as color contrast, element labeling, and keyboard navigation functionality, ensuring faster and more efficient QA automation.

2) Detailed Reporting

vStellar Test provides QA testers with in-depth, structured reports on accessibility test results. This documentation includes descriptions of issues, priority levels, and recommended fixes, enabling QAs to address accessibility gaps effectively. These reports also offer insights into compliance with accessibility standards, including ADA and WCAG, making it easier to maintain adherence to legal requirements.

3) Customizable Framework

vStellar Test’s test automation framework can be customized to fit various testing scenarios, allowing QA teams to adjust test cases to the specific accessibility needs of their applications. This flexibility helps QAs focus on diverse user requirements, from vision and hearing impairments to physical and cognitive disabilities.

4) Integration with Other Accessibility Testing Tools

vStellar Test easily integrates with popular tools, enabling seamless test automation across different platforms. This compatibility is essential for organizations combining vStellar Test with their CI/CD pipelines to cover more ground in accessibility testing.

Get Your Accessibility Tests Done with vStellar Test

Make your sites accessible with vStellar Test!

vStellar Test’s test automation framework provides automated accessibility testing solutions to empower QAs in making your websites/apps more inclusive and compliant with the industry standards.

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FAQs

What Is Accessibility Testing in Software Quality Assurance?

Accessibility testing in software QA is a process for authenticating that applications and websites are accessible to users with disabilities. It focuses on compatibility with assistive technologies, adherence to accessibility standards, and ease of use for all users, including those with vision, hearing, cognitive, physical, and literacy disabilities.

How Does Automated Accessibility Testing Improve QA Efficiency?

Automated accessibility testing, like the solution provided by vStellar Test, allows QA to identify accessibility issues across multiple platforms quickly. Automation tools detect issues such as color contrast problems, missing labels, and non-navigable components, helping QA teams address them efficiently without manual intervention.

What Is The Significance of Web Accessibility Testing?

Web accessibility testing checks that digital products are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. It’s a major part of user experience and compliance with legal standards, helping organizations avoid lawsuits and promoting inclusivity in the digital space.

Understanding What Is Accessibility Testing and Its Importance

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