Developing accessible websites for everyone, including individuals with disabilities, creates an inclusive online experience. For this reason, we conduct website accessibility testing as it can identify barriers that might prevent people from fully engaging with web content.

Common problems found in accessibility testing include navigation issues, unreadable text, and inaccessible forms. Unfortunately, many organizations seem to ignore such problems. Recent research on 63000+ websites found that 88% didn’t comply with the latest web accessibility standards.

Automated testing tools for accessibility have quick solutions to detect common accessibility issues, such as missing alt text or poor color contrast. In this article, you’ll learn how to integrate automated testing tools into your test automation framework to improve your web accessibility testing process.

What Is Web Accessibility Testing?

Web accessibility testing is the process of checking a website to ensure it can be used by people with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, cognitive, or physical impairments. The goal is to verify that everyone, regardless of physical abilities, can navigate the website, interact with its features, and access its content without barriers. It creates an inclusive digital environment that allows organizations to target people with varying needs.

Web accessibility testing solutions include tools and frameworks designed to evaluate websites for compliance with accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.1, ensuring usability for all, including individuals with disabilities.

8 Simple Steps for Conducting Web Accessibility Testing

Your website is accessible by following these straightforward steps to identify and fix usability barriers.

Understand Accessibility Standards: Familiarize yourself with WCAG 2.1 and other guidelines that define accessibility requirements.
Use Automated Testing Tools: Use vStellar Test, Axe, Lighthouse, and WAVE to detect fundamental accessibility issues.
Perform Manual Testing: Manually test for issues like keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.
Check Keyboard Navigation: Confirm if all interactive elements are accessible without a mouse.
Test with Screen Readers: Use tools like NVDA or JAWS to simulate how visually impaired users navigate the site.
Verify Color Contrast: Confirm that text and background colors meet readability standards.
Engage Real Users: Involve individuals with disabilities to gain valuable feedback.
Fix Identified Issues: Address detected problems and check regular testing as the website evolves.

Legal And Ethical Considerations

Web accessibility is not just a design-level issue because it is mandated by numerous countries that have adopted legislation that requires digital spaces to be inclusive for individuals with disabilities. Some of these most notable regulations are:

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines): The foundation for web accessibility guidelines worldwide, referenced by laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S. and EN 301 549 in Europe.
Section 508 (U.S): Requires federal agencies to verify digital accessibility for employees and the public.
AODA (Canada): Focuses on eliminating barriers in Ontario through legally enforced federal web accessibility standards.

Compliance with these laws is more than a legal obligation because it encourages inclusivity. Accessible websites allow individuals with disabilities to engage with digital content, bridging gaps in education, employment, and everyday interactions.

Developing and following such laws is imperative, as research reveals a significant gap in compliance. WEBAIM’s 2024 report on the top 1,000,000 home pages revealed that 95.9% of these pages had WCAG2 failures.

Key Principles of Web Accessibility

principles of web accessibility testing

1) Perceivable

Content must be presented in ways users can perceive.

Examples

Use alt text for images
Add captions for videos
Check for good color contrast

2) Operable

Users should be able to interact with the site using various methods.

Examples

Make the site keyboard accessible
Allow enough time for tasks
Avoid flashing content

3) Understandable

Content and actions should be easy to understand.

Examples

Use simple language
Organize content logically
Provide clear error messages

4) Robust

Content must work across different technologies and devices.

Examples

Ensure compatibility with screen readers
Test across multiple browsers and devices

Common Accessibility Testing Issues

Missing Text Alternatives: Images and icons without alt text are inaccessible to visually impaired users.
Poor Color Contrast: Low contrast between text and background makes reading hard for low-vision users.
Keyboard Navigation Problems: Sites that cannot be navigated with a keyboard are inaccessible to users with motor disabilities.
Inconsistent Layouts: Unpredictable layouts can confuse users, especially those using assistive technologies.
Missing Form Labels: Forms without labels create confusion for screen reader users.
Inaccessible Media: Videos without captions exclude users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Flash or Auto-Playing Content: Content that flashes or auto-plays can disrupt users with cognitive or seizure-related disabilities.

Benefits of Web Accessibility Testing

benefits of web accessibility testing

Now that we are aware of the importance of accessibility in websites, let’s learn the benefits of web accessibility testing:

1) Expanded Audience Reach

Accessibility testing broadens the audience by guaranteeing that websites are usable for people with disabilities. It also accommodates those facing temporary or situational barriers, which means that more users can engage with your content.

2) Improved User Experience

Accessibility testing enhances the overall user experience by making websites easier to navigate. Features designed for accessibility lead to smoother, more intuitive interactions, benefiting all users, not just those with disabilities.

3) Cost Savings

Accessibility testing can reduce costs in the long run by identifying issues early in the development cycle so businesses can avoid expensive fixes later. It also minimizes legal risks and potential redesign costs that could arise from non-compliance with accessibility standards.

4) Higher SEO Rankings

Accessibility testing can boost your website’s SEO performance. Many accessibility best practices align with SEO strategies, leading to higher search engine rankings. For example, using semantic HTML tags (like <h1> for headings, <nav> for navigation) improves accessibility for screen readers and helps search engines understand the structure of your page.

5) Positive Brand Image

Prioritizing accessibility helps build a positive brand reputation. It shows a company’s commitment to inclusivity and empathy. This resonates well with customers, especially those who value social responsibility.

6) Legal Compliance

Web accessibility is becoming a legal requirement in many places. Accessibility testing ensures compliance with laws like ADA or Section 508. It helps businesses avoid lawsuits and penalties while safeguarding their reputation.

Types of Web Accessibility Testing

types of web accessibility testing

There are five types of web accessibility testing, which are mentioned below:

1) Manual Testing

Manual accessibility testing involves human testers evaluating websites for usability. Testers use assistive technologies to identify potential issues, providing a real-world perspective on accessibility.

2) Automated Testing

Automated accessibility testing uses QA tools to scan for common issues and check for compliance with accessibility guidelines like WCAG. While not a full replacement for manual testing, these tools are helpful for quickly spotting issues.

3) Functional Testing

Functional testing checks that a website’s core functionality works for all users, including users with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies. It also verifies that interactive elements are fully accessible.

4) Usability Testing

Usability testing goes beyond compliance, focusing on fundamental user interactions. It checks if the website provides a practical, positive experience. This testing ensures accessibility features enhance usability.

5) Mobile Accessibility Testing

Mobile accessibility testing ensures apps and websites work well on mobile devices. It’s crucial for users who rely on assistive technologies on their smartphones and will become even more crucial as more users access content via mobile.

Website Accessibility Checklist

1) Text Alternatives for Visual Elements

Like alt text, text alternatives provide images and visual element descriptions. This helps users with visual impairments access content meaningfully, and screen readers can read these descriptions aloud for better accessibility.

2) Keyboard-Friendly Navigation

With the keyboard-friendly navigation check, users can navigate without a mouse. This is essential for individuals with motor impairments and benefits those who prefer using keyboards for faster navigation.

3) Compatibility with Screen Readers

Screen readers help blind or visually impaired users interact with content. Ensuring compatibility with these tools is a fundamental accessibility requirement. This makes your website more inclusive to a broader audience.

4) Readable Color Contrast

Readable color contrast ensures text is easy to read, especially for those with low vision. A strong contrast between text and background colors improves accessibility and user experience.

5) Scalable and Resizable Text

Scalable and resizable text allows users to adjust font sizes to their needs. This is especially useful for people with low vision or other visual impairments. Proper scaling ensures that content remains readable at larger sizes.

6) Accessible and User-Friendly Forms

Forms should be designed to be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This includes clear labels, error messages, and proper field organization. Accessible forms improve user experience and increase form submission success rates.

5 Best Tools for Web Accessibility Testing

The right tools simplify web accessibility testing. Here are the top 5 web accessibility testing tools:

1) vStellar Test

vStellar Test offers an advanced accessibility testing feature that provides automated assessments of web pages. It helps developers identify accessibility issues based on WCAG guidelines. vStellar Test offers detailed reports and suggestions for remediation to improve web accessibility.

With vStellar Test's QA testing capabilities, you can get professional web accessibility testing services and expert evaluations. This will help you identify and fix accessibility barriers quickly, making your digital platforms more inclusive and compliant with regulations.

2) WAVE

WAVE is a popular web accessibility evaluation tool that identifies accessibility errors directly within the browser. It provides visual feedback on web pages, highlighting elements that need attention. WAVE also offers detailed error reports and suggestions for fixing accessibility issues.

3) Axe

Axe is a widely used accessibility testing tool that integrates with various browsers and development environments. It scans websites for common accessibility issues and provides actionable insights. Axe offers both free and premium versions, with in-depth reports for developers.

4) Tenon

Tenon is a fast accessibility testing tool for developers and designers. It offers comprehensive testing based on WCAG, Section 508, and other standards. Tenon provides clear and actionable reports, helping teams identify and fix accessibility issues faster.

5) Pa11y

Pa11y is an open-source accessibility testing tool that checks websites for WCAG compliance. It runs automated tests and provides a detailed breakdown of issues, making it easy for developers to identify areas for improvement. Pa11y is known for its flexibility and can be customized to suit different testing needs.

Transform Your Website with vStellar Test’s Accessibility Testing Framework

vStellar Test’s accessibility testing framework empowers you to create inclusive websites. It helps developers spot and fix issues like hard-to-read text or broken navigation, creating a more inclusive online experience. As accessibility standards become increasingly important, using the right tools and testing methods keeps your website compliant and improves user satisfaction.

vStellar Test helps you create inclusive websites that everyone can navigate and enjoy. Contact us to upgrade your website’s accessibility today!

FAQs

What Is Web Accessibility Testing?

Web accessibility testing verifies websites are usable by people with disabilities by identifying and fixing barriers that prevent access to content.

Why Is Web Accessibility Testing Important?

It verifies inclusivity by making websites accessible, improving the user experience, and meeting legal accessibility standards.

What Are the Legal Implications of Non-Accessible Websites?

Non-accessible websites can face legal consequences, including lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. Laws like the ADA in the U.S. mandate accessibility for digital content. Failing to comply can lead to legal actions and financial penalties.

What are The Common Issues Found During Web Accessibility Testing?

Common issues include missing alt text, poor color contrast, inaccessible navigation, and non-functional or poorly labeled forms.

How Do I Test Web Accessibility Manually?

Manual testing involves verifying user accessibility by checking keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, color contrast, and form labeling.

Step-By-Step Guide to Web Accessibility Testing

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