An Extensive Overview of Accessibility Testing Practices

Modern web and mobile applications should be accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. They are backed up not just by business best practices but also by legislative acts regulating technology in the USA and EU. That's when the accessibility testing comes into play.

For QA, accessibility means testing a product to ensure it meets inclusive design principles and accessibility standards. It focuses on verifying that all features function as intended for users with disabilities by incorporating accessibility checks into the overall quality assurance process.

In this article, we outline basic standards of web accessibility testing and how to do accessibility testing as a part of QA with the help of tools for automation.

What is accessibility testing? Standards & why it matters

What is web accessibility testing? Accessibility testing is the process of evaluating a website, app, or software to ensure that it can be used by people with disabilities, such as those with visual, auditory, or motor impairments. In other words, a system should be available regardless of the situation, including those with temporary, partial, and absolute disabilities.

Accessibility testing is done by evaluating a digital product against established standards like WCAG, using automated tools (e.g., Axe, Lighthouse) to quickly catch technical issues and manual testing to assess fundamental user interactions and implement.

Testing accessibility is crucial for businesses because inaccessible digital products can alienate potential customers and lead to legal action. Websites that successfully maintain accessibility testing best practices have more user engagement and traffic.

Here is a brief overview of standards that guide testing for accessibility:

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

WCAG is a globally recognized set of guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are organized around four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR). WCAG has different compliance levels (A, A.A., and AAA), with Level A.A. being the standard for most websites.

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

The ADA is a U.S. civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. Although initially focused on physical spaces, ADA compliance has expanded to include digital accessibility. Title III of the ADA requires that businesses' websites and online services that serve the public be accessible, ensuring people with disabilities can access and interact with digital products. Non-compliance can result in legal actions, especially for organizations in the people-forward industries like retail, healthcare, and hospitality.

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Section 508 is a U.S. federal law that mandates accessibility for government websites, digital content, and technology. It requires agencies to ensure that all their information and communications technology (ICT) is accessible to employees and members of the public with disabilities. Section 508 also applies to any contractors or companies that do business with the federal government, so it is mandatory for websites in government contracting.

• EN 301 549

EN 301 549 is the European Union's accessibility standard for ICT products and services that align with WCAG guidelines to ensure accessibility across the European Union. EN 301 549 applies to websites, mobile apps, and other digital content provided by public sector bodies, and it encourages adherence among private sector businesses. The standard aligns with the European Accessibility Act and covers software and hardware.

Manual vs. automated accessibility testing

Manual accessibility testing uses human testers to evaluate real-world usability, capturing nuanced issues like screen reader compatibility and interaction flows. In contrast, automated testing relies on tools to quickly detect common issues like missing alt text and contrast errors.

Here is how they compare:

Top tools for automated accessibility testing

How do we perform accessibility testing? Tools for testing accessibility are of great help. Here's a quick overview of the top tools for automated accessibility testing:

• Axe by Deque

Axe is a widely used open-source tool that integrates with browsers and development environments. It provides detailed reports and recommendations for fixing accessibility issues early in the coding process. The tool is limited to code-level assessments.

• Lighthouse by Google

Built into Chrome DevTools, Lighthouse audits websites for accessibility and other performance metrics. It provides a quick overview of issues and evaluates accessibility. The tool is for web applications only.

• WAVE by WebAIM

WAVE is a browser extension that visually highlights accessibility issues directly on the web page, making it easy to understand problem areas at a glance. It's helpful for designers and developers working together to improve usability.

• Accessibility Insights by Microsoft

This tool offers guided accessibility checks and automated testing. The fast-pass feature provides a quick, high-level accessibility scan to catch common issues immediately. For more detailed assessment, guided tests walk teams through thorough checks to ensure full compliance. The tool suits Microsoft users and environments.

• Pa11y

Pa11y is a command-line tool for automated accessibility testing that allows developers to integrate accessibility checks into CI/CD pipelines. It produces clear reports and helps teams ensure continuous compliance.

• Tenon

Tenon provides automated accessibility testing and reporting with the flexibility to fit custom requirements. It suits development and QA teams looking to address issues across complex sites or applications. It is best suited for teams with specific, high-level customization needs.

Integrating accessibility testing into the SDLC & QA strategy

To effectively make testing accessibility a core part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) , it must be integrated with specific actions and tools at each stage:

1. Planning:
• Define accessibility goals by mapping them to WCAG levels (e.g., Level AA compliance for most projects).
• Include accessibility KPIs in project charters, such as ensuring all interactive elements are keyboard navigable or achieving a minimum contrast ratio.
• Allocate resources early, such as accessibility specialists or training for team members, to avoid delays later.
2. Design:
• Use tools like Adobe XD or Figma plugins for color contrast and text readability during wireframing.
• Include annotations in design files for developers, specifying accessible elements such as alt text for images and ARIA roles for interactive components.
• Review designs with a checklist, ensuring compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.
3. Development:
• Integrate tools like Axe into development environments (e.g., as a browser extension or in IDEs like VS Code).
• Establish coding guidelines for accessible components, such as semantic HTML and ARIA attributes, and enforce them during code reviews.
• Set up pre-commit hooks using tools like eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y to check for accessibility violations before code is committed automatically.
4. Testing:
• Automate testing accessibility in the CI/CD pipeline with tools like Pa11y or Lighthouse CI to flag issues with every build.
• Schedule manual testing for specific scenarios, such as navigating complex forms or multi-step processes, using screen readers like JAWS or NVDA.
• Use personas representing various disabilities (e.g., visual impairments or motor challenges) to create targeted test cases.
5. Deployment and maintenance:
• Run post-deployment scans with tools like WAVE to validate accessibility in live environments.
• Incorporate user feedback from people with disabilities through usability testing sessions after significant updates.
• Establish recurring quarterly or biannual audits to address potential regressions caused by new features or third-party integrations.

Integrating accessibility testing into QA strategy

To effectively integrate web accessibility testing in software testing into a QA strategy, the focus should be on practical, repeatable processes:

1. Accessibility as a QA standard:
• Add accessibility criteria to the Definition of Done for QA, such as "All interactive elements must be operable by keyboard only."
• Incorporate accessibility training into QA onboarding, focusing on how to use tools like Accessibility Insights and how to interpret results from automated scans.
2. Automated and manual testing balance:
• Set up automated scans during regression testing with tools like Tenon to identify repeatable patterns of issues (e.g., skipped heading levels or missing labels).
• Conduct manual tests for scenarios that require human judgment, such as ensuring logical focus order or verifying the usability of dynamic content with assistive technologies.
• Use remote usability testing platforms to involve people with disabilities in real-world scenarios, ensuring authentic feedback.
3. Continuous integration of accessibility testing:
• Write accessibility test cases as part of automated test suites, ensuring checks run with every build. For example, include tests that validate ARIA roles or ensure interactive elements are reachable via keyboard.
• Schedule weekly or bi-weekly accessibility scans in staging environments, flagging potential issues before release.
• Use CI/CD tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions to trigger accessibility audits as part of existing QA workflows.
4. Collaboration with development:
• Use shared dashboards in tools like Jira to track accessibility bugs alongside other issues. Create tags or labels specifically for accessibility tasks to make prioritization easier.
• Host regular cross-functional meetings to review accessibility reports, identify recurring problems, and refine best practices collaboratively.
• Develop reusable, accessible components in a shared design system to reduce accessibility defects across multiple projects.

How accessibility testing benefits your business

Web accessibility testing is not just about following certain standards; it gives your business a lot of benefits. Here are some of them:

• Broader audience: Accessibility makes your product usable for millions of people with disabilities, increasing engagement and sales opportunities.
• Legal protection: Complying with standards like WCAG and ADA helps avoid costly lawsuits and keeps your business on the right side of regulations.
• Better user experience: Features like captions and keyboard navigation don't just help those with disabilities—they make the product more accessible for everyone to use.
• Stronger brand image: Accessible products show your commitment to inclusivity, which builds trust and loyalty with your audience.
• Competitive edge: Accessibility can set you apart from competitors who overlook it, helping you win a larger market share.
• Long-term savings: Fixing accessibility issues earlier avoids expensive redesigns and compliance problems later.
• SEO boost: Many accessibility improvements, like alt text and cleaner navigation, also help with search rankings and visibility.

Common challenges & how to overcome them

Let's discuss the most common challenges encountered by the teams during accessibility test cases and accessibility testing best practices to overcome them:

1. Limited awareness and understanding of accessibility

• Challenge: Teams often lack knowledge about accessibility standards and how they impact users with disabilities.
• Solution: Provide regular training on WCAG, ADA, and Section 508 standards. Incorporate workshops and resources for understanding the diverse needs of users with disabilities.
• Best practice: Make accessibility training mandatory during onboarding, with follow-ups on new tools and standards.

2. Accessibility for users with vision disabilities

• Challenge: Developers must ensure that applications are accessible to users living with blindness, partial vision impairment, or color blindness. This includes making applications usable without visuals.
• Solution: Integrate screen reader compatibility into the development process to allow visually impaired users to "hear" app content. Provide text alternatives for images and use proper ARIA roles for dynamic content.
• Best practice: Test with screen readers like JAWS or NVDA to ensure that content is accessible and adequately described. Follow W3C's guidelines for text contrast and alternative text.

3. Accessibility for users with hearing disabilities

• Challenge: Applications with audio-based interactions must be accessible to users who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Solution: Provide transcripts for all audio content and incorporate captions for video material. Consider sign language visuals where appropriate.
• Best practice: Use tools like YouTube's auto-captioning and conduct manual verification for accuracy. Ensure that captions are synchronized with audio for seamless understanding.

4. Accessibility for users with cognitive disabilities

• Challenge: Application content must be easy to comprehend for users with cognitive impairments who may struggle with complex information or navigation.
• Solution: Design intuitive, clutter-free interfaces with clear instructions and use universally recognized symbols. Avoid overly technical jargon and ensure that navigation flows are simple.
• Best practice: Follow W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative for cognitive accessibility. Use readability testing tools to ensure the language is clear and easy to follow.

5. Accessibility for users with physical disabilities

• Challenge: Users with physical disabilities may face difficulties operating a mouse or keyboard. Applications must offer alternative input methods.
• Solution: Implement speech recognition features for hands-free control, allowing users to navigate applications using voice commands. Include keyboard-only navigation for users unable to use a mouse.
• Best Practice: Test for compatibility with assistive technologies like Dragon NaturallySpeaking for voice commands and ensure smooth keyboard navigation.

6. Over-reliance on automated tools

• Challenge: Automated testing tools, while helpful, cannot detect nuanced issues such as logical focus order or real-world usability concerns.
• Solution: Use automated tools like Axe and Lighthouse for preliminary checks, but complement them with manual testing to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
• Best practice: Perform manual testing with assistive devices, such as screen readers, and involve users with disabilities in testing sessions to uncover real-world issues.

7. Insufficient integration into development and QA processes

• Challenge: Accessibility is often treated as an afterthought, leading to significant rework and delays.
• Solution: Embed accessibility testing throughout the SDLC and QA processes. Set up accessibility testing tools in CI/CD pipelines and ensure accessibility is part of the "Definition of Done" for every release.
• Best practice: Use pre-commit hooks to catch accessibility issues during development and assign accessibility responsibilities to a dedicated team member.

8. Limited resources and tight timelines

• Challenge: Teams may lack the time or resources to conduct thorough accessibility testing.
• Solution: Adopt a phased approach, prioritizing critical issues (e.g., alt text, keyboard navigation) and expanding to more advanced features over time.
• Best practice: Use tools like Accessibility Insights for quick scans during tight schedules and allocate dedicated sprints for more detailed testing.

How Binariks supports your accessibility testing needs

Testing for accessibility is a proactive investment in user experience and inclusivity that benefits everyone.

For QA teams, incorporating accessibility means evolving from reactive issue-fixing to building products designed with all users in mind. By prioritizing accessibility throughout the SDLC, businesses can foster innovation, reduce long-term costs, and strengthen their brand's reputation. Accessibility isn't a checkbox but a commitment to creating genuinely universal digital solutions.

Binariks helps businesses create accessible digital products by combining robust testing methodologies with an understanding of inclusive design principles.

Beyond ensuring compliance with accessibility standards, we emphasize the broader impact of AI on digital inclusion , enabling our clients to leverage cutting-edge technologies for equitable user experiences. By prioritizing inclusive user experiences, we align your products with compliance requirements while fostering engagement and loyalty across diverse user groups.

Some of the aspects we can help with are:

• Inclusive design implementation
• Compliance with accessibility standards
• Comprehensive web accessibility testing manually and via automation
• Maintenance of accessibility standards
• Quality assurance services
• Custom software product development with accessibility built-in from the start

Let Binariks guide you through every step, from design to development and testing. Contact us today to start creating products that engage all users and stand out in the market.