Types of accessibility testing
1: Automated testing
Tools can scan for common issues like missing alt text or low contrast.
- Pros: Fast, covers basic issues.
- Cons: May miss context-specific issues.
2: Manual Testing
Test the site by navigating with a keyboard, checking tab order, and ensuring all elements are focusable.
- Pros: Identifies user experience issues beyond automated tests.
- Cons: Time-intensive and requires accessibility knowledge.
3: Assistive technology testing
Test with screen readers, voice control, or screen magnifiers to ensure compatibility.
- Pros: Reveals how assistive tech users interact with the site.
- Cons: Requires familiarity with assistive tools.
User testing
Gather feedback from people with disabilities for real-world insights.
- Pros: Provides the most accurate view of site accessibility.
- Cons: Requires time, resources, and coordination.
Tools and techniques for accessibility testing
1. Automated testing tools
- Silktide accessibility module: An in-depth tool for assessing accessibility across sites.
- Silktide browser extension: A detailed Chrome/Edge extension for single-page accessibility checks.
- Lighthouse: Google’s tool for auditing accessibility in Chrome DevTools.
2. Keyboard testing
- Tab navigation: Ensure all interactive elements are focusable and follow a logical tab order.
- Focus indicators: Confirm focus is visible and clear on all elements.
- Keyboard shortcuts: Test custom keyboard interactions for expected behavior.
3. Screen reader testing
- NVDA (Windows): Free screen reader for testing site compatibility.
- VoiceOver (macOS/iOS): Apple’s built-in screen reader.
- JAWS (Windows): Widely used for professional accessibility testing.
- Silktide Screen Reader Simulator: A simple, browser based solution that doesn’t require installation
4. Color contrast checkers
- Contrast ratio: Use tools like the Silktide Color Contrast Checkerto meet minimum contrast standards (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text).
- Cross-device testing: Check contrast in various lighting conditions and devices.
5. Browser developer tools
- Chrome DevTools: Inspect elements for ARIA roles, labels, and contrast in the Accessibility pane.
- Firefox DevTools: Provides similar tools for auditing and keyboard testing.
6. Manual testing
Manual testing uncovers issues that automated tools might miss, providing a more holistic view of accessibility.
- Silktide manual audits: In-depth, expert-led audits designed to uncover accessibility barriers not typically detected by automation. Silktide’s team conducts these audits annually or as needed, delivering comprehensive reports with actionable recommendations.
- Detailed navigation checks: Manually test that people can navigate seamlessly from one section to another, focusing on interactions that benefit from human oversight (like custom dropdowns, accordions, and modals).
Best practices for accessibility testing
- Test early and often – Start accessibility testing in the early stages and continue through deployment.
- Create a checklist – Use an accessibility checklist to cover critical elements like alt text, keyboard navigation, and contrast.
- Involve the team – Make testing a team effort, engaging designers, developers, and content creators.
- Document and track – Use a bug tracker to prioritize and address accessibility issues before launch.