Looking for effective solutions to make your website accessible to everyone? The right web accessibility testing approach can save you time, resources, and potential legal complications while ensuring your digital properties serve all users effectively.
Selecting the right web accessibility tools is crucial as regulations like the ADA, Section 508, and the European Accessibility Act are becoming important for compliance. Organizations need practical testing strategies that deliver meaningful results.
Why Web Accessibility Testing Matters
Web accessibility testing evaluates your website to ensure it complies with established guidelines like WCAG, identifying barriers that prevent users with disabilities from engaging with your content. The benefits extend far beyond compliance:
- Expand your market – Approximately 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability- over a billion potential customers.
- Improve everyone’s experience – Accessibility enhancements create better sites for all users through clearer navigation and more intuitive interfaces, as shown in the WebAIM Million report.
- Build brand loyalty – Today’s consumers increasingly support businesses committed to inclusion and diversity, as documented by the Return on Disability Group.
- Mitigate legal risks – Proactive testing helps shield your organization from potentially costly litigation.
Essential Tools for Comprehensive Web Accessibility Testing
Let’s explore the most effective web accessibility tools available today for comprehensive testing.
Automated Testing Tools
When evaluating web accessibility tools, consider that automated scanners quickly identify common accessibility issues across your digital properties:
- Web-based accessibility checkers evaluate entire websites
- Browser extensions highlight issues in real-time
- Development integrations catch problems before production
Manual Testing Approaches
Human judgment remains essential for nuanced evaluation:
- Color contrast analyzers ensure that the text meets readability standards, as recommended by the Cambridge Inclusive Design Toolkit
- Page structure visualizers reveal how content hierarchy appears to assistive technologies
- Keyboard testing uncovers major barriers, as outlined in WebAIM’s keyboard accessibility guide
User Testing
No strategy is complete without input from actual users with disabilities:
- Screen reader testing reveals how visually impaired users experience your site
- User interviews uncover real-world barriers that technical testing might miss
- Expert reviews identify nuanced issues and practical solutions
Screen Reader Testing: A Window Into Inclusive Experiences
Screen readers convert digital text into synthesized speech, allowing visually impaired users to access written content. Understanding how these tools interact with your website is crucial for accessibility.
For comprehensive testing, familiarize yourself with widely used screen readers:
- NVDA – Free, open-source screen reader for Windows
- JAWS – Feature-rich commercial screen reader
- VoiceOver – Built into Apple’s ecosystem
- TalkBack – Google’s screen reader for Android
Experienced screen reader users can process content at an astonishing 300+ words per minute! This revealing demonstration shows why proper page structure is critical.
Your screen reader testing process should include:
- Install a screen reader on your testing device
- Learn essential commands for navigation
- Test interactive elements to ensure proper announcements
- Verify content structure, including headings and lists
- Check form accessibility for proper labels and error messages
- Test dynamic content like AJAX elements (content that loads without refreshing the page) and modals
Best Practices for Effective Web Accessibility Testing
Combine Testing Approaches
The most effective strategy leverages both automated tools and human evaluation:
- Start with automation to identify common issues quickly
- Follow with manual testing to address nuanced problems
- Implement regular testing cycles across your digital properties
- Centralize findings to track progress and prevent redundant work
Make Accessibility a Continuous Process
Utilize your web accessibility tools consistently as your website evolves:
- Run post-update scans after significant content or code changes
- Set up monitoring alerts for new accessibility issues
- Track metrics over time to prevent regression and demonstrate progress
Prioritize High-Impact Fixes
Focus first on the barriers that most commonly prevent users from accomplishing their goals:
- Navigation and structure problems
- Missing text alternatives for images and media
- Form functionality issues
- Contrast and readability concerns
The WebAIM WCAG 2 Checklist breaks down requirements into concrete items your team can verify.
Making Web Accessibility Testing Part of Your Organization
Distribute Knowledge Across Teams
Make accessibility everyone’s responsibility:
- Train content creators to write accessibly from the start
- Provide developers with clear coding standards
- Give designers guidelines for accessible colors and layouts
- Enable all staff to identify potential accessibility issues
The Yale University Web Accessibility Guidelines provide excellent explanations of key principles.
Integrate Throughout Development
- Include accessibility checks in your CI/CD pipeline
- Have developers run basic tests during coding
- Conduct thorough audits before major releases
- Maintain documentation in your style guides
Test with Real Users
Nothing replaces testing with people who rely on assistive technologies:
- Recruit participants with various disabilities
- Gather insights on real-world challenges
- Use feedback to focus improvement efforts where they’ll have the most impact
The Interaction Design Foundation offers guidance on planning inclusive research.
Creating Digital Experiences for Everyone
Web accessibility testing isn’t just about compliance – it’s about creating digital experiences that work for everyone. By combining the right tools with proven best practices, you can make your website accessible to all users without overwhelming your team or budget.
Start with Pluro’s free accessibility audit tool – simply enter your website URL to receive a comprehensive accessibility report and book a free demo to discover how our solution can boost your website’s accessibility and user experience.
