In our increasingly digital world, accessibility is a “must-have” in every industry and every medium. Business leaders and content creators alike need to prioritize the accessibility of their content and communications to support accessibility requirements and provide more equitable experiences to their community members.
Fortunately, today’s professionals have several tools to help support their accessibility initiatives. Among these tools, accessibility testing is one of the most valuable resources for ensuring that digital content sufficiently includes audience members with disabilities. Let’s discuss how incorporating accessibility testing into your web development process can support audience members with disabilities while fostering compliance with critical web accessibility requirements.
What is Accessibility Testing?
Accessibility testing refers to the process of evaluating digital content to determine whether it’s sufficiently inclusive of internet users with disabilities. There are several different types of accessibility testing tools that web developers can use to determine whether their websites offer equitable experiences to all online visitors.
Some of the most common types of accessibility testing tools include:
- Automated Tools: These software-based tools use algorithms to scan and crawl existing web pages to determine whether the content and code are sufficiently accessible for users with disabilities.
- Manual Tools: In the manual accessibility testing process, humans (often humans with disabilities) test-drive websites and provide feedback about their experiences.
- Assistive Technology Testing Tools: These automated tools simulate the experience of assistive technology users to determine whether digital content is compatible with technology solutions like screen readers.
- Compliance Testing Tools: Compliance testing is a type of automated accessibility testing that uses accessibility checker software to scan web pages for potential violations of accessibility requirements or standards.
Benefits of Accessibility Testing Tools
Accessibility testing tools offer many benefits for front-end developers and end users. With these resources, web developers can proactively identify and remedy potential accessibility issues, which can help save valuable time and money in the long run. These tools can also help ensure that web content complies with critical accessibility laws and guidelines before publishing the site. Being proactive about accessibility is an excellent strategy for enhancing the public’s perception of your brand while safeguarding against enforcement actions like legal challenges and fines.
Key Features and Functionality of Accessibility Testing Tools
Every accessibility tester has its own unique set of functions, features and benefits. Some of the most common capabilities of digital accessibility testers include:
- Simulation: Programmers can create accessibility testing tools that simulate the user experience of individuals with specific disabilities or learning differences.
- Rules Engines: Accessibility checkers can also evaluate a web page against a pre-defined set of rules, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or the A11Y Project’s accessibility checklist.
- Automation: Many digital accessibility tests are highly automated so that the testing process can be completed more quickly and efficiently.
- Specific Element Testing: Some tools target a particular element of a website, such as color contrast or screen reader compatibility.
Many accessibility testing tools provide comprehensive reporting on their findings and built-in guidance for developers seeking to address any accessibility issues that the testing process reveals.
Selecting the Right Accessibility Testing Tool
To choose the right kind of accessibility tester for your project, it’s important to carefully consider the needs of your audience, as well as all pertinent accessibility requirements. Some common accessibility tools include:
- The WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool: This popular automated tool provides quick, comprehensive evaluations of websites during the development process.
- Color Contrast Analyzers: These tools test a website’s background and text colors to ensure the information is accessible for those with certain visual disabilities.
- The Axe Browser Extension: This browser extension works with popular web browsers and checks for WCAG compliance and the proper use of ARIA roles and attributes.
- The NVDA Screen Reader: While not officially an accessibility tester, many developers will use this open-source screen reader software to check the screen reader compatibility of their web pages.
Integrating Accessibility Testing Tools into the Development Process
While you can technically complete accessibility testing throughout many points of the web development process, developers should conduct their testing early and often. Early in the development process, integration of accessibility testing tools can help teams catch potential issues before they become more damaging or widespread. To this end, developers and designers must collaborate closely throughout the accessibility testing process to ensure all team members are on the same page and remain equally invested in prioritizing the accessibility and digital inclusivity of their online content.
It is also beneficial for web developers to establish accessibility as a priority from the onset of a project. If all individuals within the development and design process keep accessibility at the forefront, teams can cut back substantially on the time and resources they would otherwise spend addressing late-breaking accessibility issues.
Future Trends and Developments in Accessibility Testing Tools
Accessibility tools evolved significantly over the last several decades. With ongoing technological advances, the accessibility testing process today is significantly more automated and streamlined, so web developers can more easily incorporate this testing into standard development. As for the future of accessibility tools, the role of AI in accessibility testing is only expected to grow and further streamline the testing process for modern web developers.
However, it is essential to understand that automated and AI-powered accessibility testing tools may not always be a satisfactory substitute for human interaction and feedback. When possible, developers should use automated accessibility testers in conjunction with manual testing initiatives to maximize the results of their testing process.
Case Studies and Success Stories
In recent years, there have been many accessibility case studies that highlight the critical role accessibility testing plays in improving web accessibility. For example, Understood is a non-profit organization that provides digital resources and support to individuals with specific learning needs like ADHD and dyslexia. In Smashing Magazine, two of Understood’s front-end web developers discussed the critical role accessibility testing played in developing an accessible user interface for web visitors with disabilities.
The Understood team invested in user research at the onset of their project to give front-end developers the insight and information they needed to devise a process that would effectively serve their community. They also built an accessibility audit for every ticket their engineering department receives to allow ample time to address any accessibility issues. Additionally, Understood incorporated manual testing into their accessibility checking process and sought out test users with learning and thinking differences to provide feedback about their experiences.
Prioritizing Accessibility is Always the Right Move
Web accessibility is a non-negotiable for modern professionals and creators. The responsibility of implementing inclusive web design practices often falls squarely on the shoulders of web developers. Still, designers and other community members can provide valuable contributions throughout development and testing. Developers and their teams need to invest in the right accessibility testing tools for their projects to maximize the potential benefits of the testing process and lay a strong foundation for ADA and WCAG compliance.
Verbit is a proud provider of assistive technology solutions designed to offer more inclusive digital content experiences to individuals with disabilities. If you’re interested in learning more about Verbit’s suite of assistive technologies, or if you’d like more information about best practices for web accessibility, reach out today to speak to a member of our team.