What is Website Accessibility?
Ensuring universal accessibility is a vital concern for all web users, and as examiners, it is our job to confirm that all websites are attainable by all users. By guaranteeing accessibility, we help the advancement of operations as we work towards making software useable by every person. This not only results in heightened user satisfaction but also benefits our enterprise in the end.
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Collection of Tutorials in this Series:
- Accessibility Testing: An All-encompassing Guide (This Tutorial)
- A Thorough Catalog of Accessibility Testing Tools
- WAT (Web Accessibility Toolbar) Instructional Guide
- WAVE and JAWS: Instruments for Evaluating Accessibility
Whilst web usage is straightforward for most users, specific demographic groups encounter hurdles. It is essential to verify that websites are accessible, suitable, and of benefit to all users in any case, independent of their language, culture, geographical position, applications, or physical and mental abilities.
Content of this Tutorial:
- What is Accessibility Testing?
- Accessibility and Legalities
- Misconceptions about Testing Website Accessibility
- Complications of Accessibility Testing
- Significance
- How is Website Accessibility Determined?
- General Website Design Rules to Implement
- How to Execute Accessibility Testing – A Stepwise Manual
- Accessibility Test Checklist/Testing Cases/Scenarios
- Summary
What is Accessibility Testing?
Examining a web software to verify that all users can effortlessly access the website is referred to as Accessibility Testing. This particular subsection of testing, known as “Web Accessibility Testing,” aids in ensuring that websites effectively adhere to accessibly standards.
Adhering to regulations and guidelines regarding accessibility testing is also imperative.
Accessibility and the Law
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This law mandates that all public structures, schools, and bodies must make technology available to everyone.
- Rehabilitation Act, sections 504 and 508: Section 504 guarantees that individuals with disabilities have access to the workplace, education, and other bodies, whereas section 508 confirms access to technology.
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): These guidelines put forward suggestions for advancing website accessibility.
Myths about Testing Website Accessibility
Myth 1.: Accessibility testing is costly.
Reality: Addressing accessibility-related concerns during the design phase can help cut expenses.
Myth 2: Transitioning an inaccessible website to an accessible one requires much time.
Reality: Prioritizing main components and focusing on basic requirements can limit the time and effort needed.
Myth 3: Accessibility is dull and uninteresting.
Reality: Accessibility doesn’t require compromise on visual allure. Websites can be both appealing and accessible.
Myth 4: Accessibility testing is exclusively for blind and disabled individuals.
Reality: Accessibility testing is of benefit to all users, making applications more effective and user-friendly.
Obstacles of Accessibility Testing
Accessibility testing addresses the following prevalent challenges:
| Category of Disability | Description of Disability |
|---|---|
| Vision Disability |
– Complete blindness or color blindness or substandard eyesight – Visual complications like strobe and flashing effect problems |
| Physical Disability | Difficulty in using a keyboard or mouse |
| Cognitive Disability | Problems with learning or poor memory |
| Literacy Disability | Difficulties with reading, struggles finding words |
| Hearing Disability | – Hearing issues like deafness and hearing impairments – Challenges hearing well or clearly |
Significance
Accessibility testing presents several advantages, comprising:
- Straightforward and effective access for users with disabilities or struggles
- Expanded market share and broader audience reach
- Increased maintainability and efficiency
- Compliance with legal necessities and ethical guidelines
- Support for internationalization
- Enhanced accessibility for low-bandwidth users
Ultimately, accessibility testing assists in the improvement of business and heightening of revenue.
How is Web Accessibility Evaluated?
Web accessibility can be measured using the standards of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) devised by the W3C. Other foundations have also established their guidelines, but they usually conform with the W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Guidelines.
Assessment of a Website’s Accessibility:
Multiple factors contribute to web accessibility, including:
- Content
- Size
- Code
- Markup languages
- Development tools
- Environment
Implementing web accessibility approaches during the preliminary stages of a project is beneficial. Correcting inaccessible websites later demands extra effort.
Examples of elementary accessibility techniques are:
- Checking page titles
- Providing alternate text for images (“alt text”)
- Utilizing appropriate headings
- Maintaining contrast ratios (“color contrast”)
“Evaluation Tools” can also aid in determining accessibility to some degree. Although they may not entirely evaluate factors like the suitability of alt text for images, they are generally effective.
Recommended reading: Top 30 Tools for Testing Web Applications
Universal Principles of Web Design to Adhere to
Websites should be designed inclusively to ensure their useability and accessibility for all users. Learning and processing modes differ among persons, so websites should be designed with this in consideration, regardless of user discrepancies.
The following are some fundamental principles of website design to adhere to:
#1) Synchronization:
All project actions and team members should synchronize with each other. Websites must be fashioned in accordance with their standards and those established by the W3C.
#2) Accountability:
Organizations should accept responsibility for developing accessible websites, rather than transferring the burden onto the users themselves.
#3) Leadership:
Everyone should be aware of accessibility principles and report any problems they come across whilst accessing the site.
#4) Consideration of Access:
Website design should comply with standards and consider the needs of differently-abled individuals.
#5) Technical Dimensions:
Websites should be designed with consideration for technical standards.
#6) Educational Research:
Investigations into accessibility and related issues should be carried out, and staff should be trained accordingly to assure awareness of standards and problems.
#7) Social Inclusion:
Equality should be practiced both online and offline. All individuals should receive equal treatment.
Additionally, structuring a “POUR” website is necessary.
The acronym POUR stands for:
Perceivable: The presentation of the website should be easily perceivable, making sense to all users.
Operable: Navigation on the website should be simple for users to operate.
Understandable: All website content should be easily comprehensible by all users.
Robust: The content of the website should stay robust regardless of changes in technology and user requirements.
Proceeding with Accessibility Testing – A Step by Step Manual
For performing accessibility testing, both manual and automated techniques can be deployed.
Manual Technique
Despite the availability of various tools for accessibility testing, manual testing could be an alternative in certain situations, such as when resource or budget constraints prevent the deployment of automated tools.
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