Why Do You Need Accessibility Testing?

Imagine visiting a website, eager to explore its offerings, only to find that you can't navigate it properly. This scenario is all too common in the tech industry, where polished digital products often overlook one essential aspect—accessibility. This gap can lead to lost revenue, damaged reputations, and legal challenges. But more importantly, it excludes millions of people from fully participating in the digital world. 

In this blog post, we'll explore why accessibility testing is crucial, the risks of neglecting it, the broader benefits it brings, and how to incorporate it into your development process.

What is accessibility testing?

Accessibility testing evaluates digital content to ensure it’s usable by individuals with a wide range of abilities. This involves assessing how well a website, app, or digital platform can be navigated and understood by people with disabilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments. 

This form of testing is not just about ticking a box. It’s about creating an inclusive experience where everyone has equal access to information and services. It involves both manual testing, where testers physically check the product, and automated testing, which uses tools to scan for issues like improper use of HTML tags or missing alt text on images. Accessibility testing is a subset of usability testing, but there are some key differences between the two. 

Understanding accessibility testing

Understanding accessibility is crucial for broadening your product's reach. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. That’s a huge segment of the population that could potentially be excluded if accessibility isn’t considered from the start.

At its core, accessibility testing involves evaluating a product against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG):

• Perceivability: Can users perceive the content? Ensure that text is readable, images have alt text, and multimedia has captions or transcripts.
• Operability: Can users navigate and interact with the interface? Ensure that all functionality is accessible via keyboard for those who cannot use a mouse.
• Understandability: Is the content and interface easy to understand? This includes clear instructions, straightforward language, and predictable navigation.
• Robustness: Is the content compatible with various assistive technologies? Ensure that the website or app can be accessed through different devices, screen readers, and other assistive tools.

To learn more about WCAG, check out our complete guide to better understand these core accessibility principles.

Why is accessibility testing important and what are the benefits?

Imagine you're leading a tech team working on a new e-commerce platform. Your goal is to create a website that not only looks great but also provides a seamless experience for all users. As the project progresses, you decide to incorporate accessibility testing. At first, it seems like an extra step, but as the platform develops, you begin to notice something remarkable. The design becomes more intuitive, the content clearer, and the site performs better in search engine rankings. Most importantly, customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many users praising the platform for being easy to navigate and inclusive. This success is no accident—it’s the direct result of prioritizing accessibility.

But it’s not just about gaining positive feedback. Accessibility testing is important and beneficial for several reasons:

1. Legal compliance 

Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement that applies to both the public and private sector. In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act require that websites and apps be accessible to people with disabilities. Similar regulations exist in Europe, specifically, the European Accessibility Act (EAA). Non-compliance with these accessibility regulations can result in lawsuits, fines, and a damaged reputation, making accessibility testing not just a moral imperative but a legal one.

Check out our white paper: Digital Accessibility & EAA: Telecommunications Industry Under Review

2. Ethical considerations 

Accessibility goes beyond legal repercussions. There’s a significant ethical dimension as well. Inaccessible products exclude a significant portion of the population from fully participating in the digital world. By ignoring accessibility, companies are effectively shutting the door on potential customers who rely on assistive technologies to navigate the web. Ensuring digital accessibility is not just about avoiding lawsuits—it's about doing what’s right. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can use your products with ease and dignity. When you prioritize accessibility, you demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and inclusivity, which can enhance your brand's reputation and foster trust among users.

3. Wider audience reach 

Accessibility broadens your product’s reach, opening it up to a larger audience, including people with disabilities, the elderly, those with temporary impairments, and users in hands-free environments. This inclusivity boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty as more users find it easy to engage with your content. From a business perspective, accessible design isn’t just ethical—it’s a strategic move to maximize your audience.

4. Enhanced user experience

Navigating a website with tiny text, hard-to-click buttons, or limited keyboard accessibility seems frustrating, right? For users with disabilities, this is a daily challenge. Accessibility testing removes these barriers, creating a smoother experience for everyone. It’s not just about adding features for people with disabilities, it’s about designing products that work for all. Clear navigation and accessible live chats benefit everyone, leading to greater user experience and engagement.

5. SEO benefits 

Accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO) often go hand in hand. Many of the practices that improve web accessibility also enhance your website’s SEO. For example, using alt text for images isn’t just beneficial for users with visual impairments—it also helps search engines understand your content better, potentially boosting your rankings.

Search engines reward sites that are well-structured, easy to navigate, and user-friendly—all key components of accessibility. By investing in accessibility testing, you’re not just ensuring that your product is inclusive; you’re also setting the stage for better search engine visibility, which can lead to increased traffic and engagement.

6. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) 

Emphasizing accessibility aligns with broader CSR goals, demonstrating your company’s commitment to equality and inclusion. This can significantly enhance your brand’s reputation, showcasing your organization as one that values diversity and cares about making a positive social impact.

You may be interested in: Adaptive Switches and Switch Access in Accessibility Testing.

Types of accessibility testing

There are several types of accessibility testing, each targeting different approaches and aspects of accessibility.

Manual and automated testing 

Both manual and automated testing play crucial roles in accessibility testing. Automated tools can quickly scan for basic issues, such as missing alt text or color contrast problems, but they often miss more nuanced issues that require human judgment, which is where manual testing comes in. 

For example, automated accessibility tools, like Axe Accessibility Tool, Lighthouse, and WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) can quickly scan for common issues like missing alt text, improper use of headings, or insufficient color contrast. 

Manual testing, on the other hand, involves human testers interacting with the website or app, providing insights that automated tools might overlook—such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and color contrast. 

User testing 

Involving real users with disabilities in the user testing process is essential. They can provide feedback on real-world usability challenges that automated tools or even experienced testers might not identify. This form of testing is invaluable for understanding how well the digital content meets the needs of people with disabilities. 

Real-user testing involves inviting individuals with various disabilities to use a website or app while observing how they interact with it and providing feedback in real-time. For example, a person with limited mobility could navigate through an app using voice command.

Screen reader and keyboard navigation testing 

Specific accessibility testing methods, like screen reader testing and keyboard navigation testing are also useful to improve usability for all users. Screen reader testing is crucial for users with visual impairments, ensuring that content is read aloud accurately and that all interactive elements are accessible and understandable. Some of the most commonly used screen readers are:

• NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access): A widely-used screen reader for Windows.
• VoiceOver: The built-in screen reader for macOS and iOS devices.

Keyboard navigation testing, on the other hand, ensures that individuals who cannot use a mouse can still navigate the website or app efficiently using only a keyboard. These methods are essential to ensure that your digital content is truly accessible.

For example, Tab and Arrow Key Testing involves using the Tab, Shift+Tab, Enter, and arrow keys to navigate through interactive elements like links, buttons, and forms. This technique verifies that users can move smoothly from one element to another without a mouse.

Best practices for accessibility testing

To avoid last-minute scrambles and ensure a seamless user experience for everyone, it’s essential to integrate accessibility testing as an integral part of your development process. Here are some best practices to follow:

Integrate accessibility early in development

Accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought or something tacked on at the end of development. It should be a priority from the start. Think about integrating accessibility early in the software development process. To do this, start by ensuring that your design team understands the importance of accessibility. Educate them on common accessibility issues, such as poor color contrast, inadequate text sizing, and confusing navigation structures. By making accessibility a core part of your design philosophy, you can avoid creating barriers in the first place.

Build with accessibility in mind

During the development phase, encourage your team to build with accessibility in mind. This includes writing semantic HTML, using ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles where appropriate, and ensuring that interactive elements can be navigated via keyboard. By addressing these aspects early on, you can identify and resolve potential accessibility issues before they become deeply embedded in your product.

Additionally, consider creating accessibility guidelines as part of your development documentation. These guidelines can serve as a reference for your team, ensuring that everyone is aligned on accessibility best practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Combine automated and manual testing

Automated testing tools are invaluable for catching many common accessibility issues, like missing alt text, improper use of headings, or insufficient color contrast. However, they can’t fully replicate the experience of a real user with a disability. That’s where manual testing comes in.

Manual testing involves using assistive technologies, such as screen readers, adaptive switches, or keyboard navigation, to interact with your product as a user with disabilities might. This type of testing can reveal issues that automated tools miss, such as whether interactive elements are labeled correctly or if the tab order is logical and intuitive.

For example, you might use an automated tool to check for basic compliance with WCAG , and then complement that with manual testing to ensure that the experience is actually usable for people with disabilities. This combination of automated and manual testing provides a more comprehensive approach, helping you catch both obvious and subtle accessibility issues.

Continuous testing and updates

Accessibility isn’t something you can check off a list and forget about. Digital products are constantly evolving, whether through new features, design changes, or platform updates. Each of these changes can introduce new accessibility challenges, so it’s crucial to make accessibility testing an ongoing part of your development process.

Implementing continuous integration (CI) practices that include accessibility checks can help you catch issues early. For example, you can set up your CI pipeline to run automated accessibility tests every time new code is pushed. This ensures that accessibility is maintained as your product evolves.

In addition to automated checks, schedule accessibility audits, especially after major updates. These audits should assess both new and existing features to ensure that the overall user experience remains accessible. Remember, even small design tweaks or content updates can impact accessibility, so ongoing vigilance is key.

Finally, stay informed about updates to accessibility standards and guidelines. The digital landscape is always changing, and so are the expectations for accessibility. By keeping your knowledge up to date, you can ensure that your product remains compliant with the latest best practices and legal requirements.

The future of accessibility testing

Accessibility is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing commitment. As technology evolves, so too must the measures we take to ensure that digital content remains accessible. Regular testing, updates, and monitoring are essential to maintaining accessibility over time.

The future of accessibility testing will likely involve more advanced tools and technologies, which can identify issues more efficiently. Additionally, as regulations continue to evolve, staying informed and adapting to new standards will be crucial.

By prioritizing accessibility from the outset, you not only comply with legal standards but also create a more inclusive, user-friendly experience that benefits everyone. The long-term gains, from enhanced user experience to better SEO and a stronger brand reputation, far outweigh the initial investment. 

Want to comply with accessibility standards and deliver a more accessible solution to your users? Contact us to learn more about our accessibility testing and audit services and how we can help you ensure accessibility.