Best Web Accessibility Testing Tools

Guide to Web Accessibility Testing Tools

Web accessibility testing tools are designed to help websites meet the standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for website accessibility. These tools help to identify and fix potential problems with a website’s design, coding, usability, and content that can make it difficult or impossible for certain users to access and use. For example, people who are blind or visually impaired may have difficulty using a website if it doesn’t include features such as alternate text descriptions on images, properly coded headings, or structured navigation menus.

Tools like WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool), Axe (Accessibility Engine), Color Oracle (color blindness simulator), Tenon (automated web accessibility testing tool), and SortSite (site-wide automated testing system) are all helpful in assessing the accessibility of a website. WAVE checks HTML elements of a page against WCAG 2.0 standards and provides feedback about errors found on the page via an interactive toolbar at the top of the browser window. It also provides helpful tips about how to fix any errors it finds.

Axe is a browser plugin that enables users to test for accessibility issues on the page they are viewing. It provides detailed information about the types of errors it finds and shows how to fix them so that people with disabilities can use the website. Color Oracle is a color blindness simulator that helps designers create websites that are accessible to those with different types of color vision deficiencies. Tenon is an automated web accessibility testing tool that checks pages against WCAG 2.0 standards and then produces an easy-to-read report outlining any issues it has identified, along with recommendations for fixing them. Lastly, SortSite is a site-wide automated testing system specifically designed to check hundreds or even thousands of pages in one go and quickly identify any potential accessibility problems across an entire website.

Overall, web accessibility tools are essential for ensuring that websites meet the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards, and make sure all users have equitable access to content on the internet regardless of ability or disability. They may be used by developers during the design process, or by content authors afterward to help ensure their pages meet accessibility standards prior to launch.

Web Accessibility Testing Tools Features

• Automated Checks: Web accessibility testing tools provide automated checks that scan a website and check for common web accessibility issues such as missing labels, incorrect heading levels, keyboard focus order, etc. The tool then displays the results of the scan in an easy-to-understand report. This allows you to quickly identify areas where your site needs improvement.
• Manual Testing: In addition to automated checks, some web accessibility testing tools provide manual tests that allow users to manually test a website for accessibility compliance. This includes tasks such as navigating through pages using only the keyboard and checking contrast ratios of text and images. Manual tests can help uncover any issues that may have been missed by an automated scan.
• Guidance & Best Practices: Many web accessibility testing tools also provide guidance on best practices for ensuring your website is accessible. This guidance can include things like suggesting specific HTML elements or attributes to use in order to adhere to particular standards or guidelines, providing information on how to check contrast ratios and other visual elements, or providing resources on how to create accessible alternatives for non-compliant content (such as videos).
• Documentation & Reporting: Finally, many web accessibility testing tools also provide documentation and reporting features that make it easier for developers to track their progress towards making their site compliant with web accessibility standards. These features allow users to generate reports that detail any improvements made over time or potential issues which still need addressing.

What Are the Different Types of Web Accessibility Testing Tools?

• Automated testing tools: These tools can help developers analyze large webpages for accessibility errors and potential issues, as well as provide recommendations on how to make improvements.
• Manual testing tools: Manual testing requires experienced testers to manually inspect the design of a website and its content for any potential access barriers. This involves evaluating both visual elements such as colors, font size, contrast levels, etc., as well as code and HTML elements that may be challenging or impossible for certain users to navigate through.
• Screen readers: These specialized software applications are often used by blind or visually impaired individuals to "read out" text on webpages that would otherwise be unreadable. Screen readers rely on properly coded HTML structure in order to accurately read a webpage's content and allow the user to interact with it appropriately.
• Wave Toolbar: The WAVE toolbar is an add-on available for both Firefox and Chrome browsers that allows web developers and designers to easily evaluate their websites' accessibility compliance levels right within their browser window. With this tool, users can quickly check for any common accessibility issues that could prevent certain users from accessing or navigating their website properly.
• Accessibility validation services: Validation services are online applications that allow users to test their online content against various accessibility standards (such as WCAG 2.0, Section 508, etc.). These services typically provide detailed reports indicating any potential areas of concern and offer suggestions on how they can be resolved.

Advantages Provided by Web Accessibility Testing Tools

1. Increased Productivity: Web accessibility testing tools can save testers a significant amount of time and effort that they would otherwise spend manually checking web pages for common accessibility issues. This increased efficiency enables testers to focus on more complex tasks related to their projects, rather than having to spend time conducting basic checks.
2. Comprehensive Coverage: Web accessibility testing tools offer comprehensive coverage of all the possible user interface elements on a web page, allowing testers to check for issues that may not have been noticed when manually inspecting the page. By performing such comprehensive tests, developers can be confident that all potential problems are addressed before a product is released.
3. Automated Reports: Many web accessibility testing tools generate automated reports containing detailed information about any issues found during testing. These reports provide a clear picture of an application’s compliance with web standards, making it easier for developers and stakeholders to assess the overall quality of the product before its release.
4. Automated Testing: With automation capabilities, web accessibility testing tools enable users to test their applications without having to manually inspect every element in the user interface. This helps create more accurate results by eliminating human error from the equation while also streamlining the entire process and improving overall efficiency.
5. Improved User Experience: Finally, using web accessibility testing tools can help ensure that applications meet industry-standard accessibility requirements and are usable by people with disabilities or other impairments. This improved user experience can make a big difference in terms of customer satisfaction and retention, as well as reducing risk if your application falls short on these requirements.

Who Uses Web Accessibility Testing Tools?

• Developers: Developers are responsible for writing the code and creating content for websites, which makes them one of the key users of web accessibility testing tools. They use these tools to ensure that their work meets all applicable laws, guidelines, and standards for accessible web design.
• Quality Assurance Engineering Teams: Quality assurance engineering teams are responsible for ensuring that a website functions properly once it has been built and launched. They use web accessibility testing tools to check if content and functionality can be used by everyone regardless of disability.
• UX Designers: UX designers design user experiences on websites, which includes making sure content is easy to understand and navigate. Web accessibility testing tools help UX designers identify potential problem areas before launching a website or app.
• Content Strategists: Content strategists are responsible for developing strategies for deploying content in an effective way that serves the needs of the end user. Web accessibility testing tools allow content strategists to test how well their strategies work with people who have disabilities or limited access to technological resources.
• Accessibility Specialists: Accessibility specialists have expertise in making sure a website or app is usable by people with disabilities or limited access to technology resources. These professionals rely on web accessibility testing tools to identify problem areas and make sure any issues are addressed before launch.
• Legal Professionals: Legal professionals such as lawyers may need to use web accessibility testing tools when defending clients who have been accused of violating laws related to web accessibility (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act). The results from these tests can be used in court cases as evidence of compliance with legal requirements.

How Much Do Web Accessibility Testing Tools Cost?

The cost of web accessibility testing tools can vary quite a bit, depending on the specific tool you are looking at. Generally speaking, basic web accessibility testing tools will range from free open source options to more comprehensive and expensive paid solutions. For a comprehensive solution that tests for compliance with web accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1 and Section 508, you may be looking at anywhere from around $300 per month up to several thousand dollars for annual access to an enterprise-level solution.

These more expensive solutions typically include detailed reports which can be used to quickly identify areas of your website or application that are not compliant with the latest web accessibility standards, automated testing capabilities, and additional functionalities within the tool such as support for integration into existing development processes or systems. However if you have a smaller budget available or don’t need all the features of the more comprehensive solutions, there are plenty of free open source alternatives available that offer basic checking capabilities against established accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.0/2.1 and Section 508.

In addition to these expenses associated with purchasing an actual web accessibility testing tool, organizations should also factor in costs associated with personnel training on use of the software, setting up and configuring any required plugins or extensions for its use in their environment (if applicable), ongoing maintenance and upgrades of their version of the software over time, and even professional services fees if external help is needed for integration into existing development processes or other related tasks.

What Software Can Integrate with Web Accessibility Testing Tools?

Web accessibility testing tools can integrate with a variety of software types. These include development frameworks such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and AJAX; content management systems such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla; and web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer/Edge. Additionally, many assistive technology software are compatible with these tools so that the user experience for people with disabilities can be evaluated more accurately. The support for these integrations varies among web accessibility testing tool vendors; thus it is important to research each one to determine which types of software will work best for your particular needs.

Recent Trends Related to Web Accessibility Testing Tools

1. Automation: Automated web accessibility testing tools are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to quickly scan and detect potential issues with website accessibility. These tools can be used to quickly identify potential accessibility issues and help prioritize areas for further manual testing.
2. Integration: Many web accessibility tools are now being integrated into existing development processes, allowing developers to get real-time feedback on the accessibility of their sites while they are developing. This helps developers to quickly identify potential issues before they become problems.
3. Cost Reduction: Many web accessibility testing tools offer free versions or trial periods, allowing developers to test their sites without any upfront costs. Additionally, many of these tools are priced on a subscription basis which can help reduce costs over the long term.
4. Improved User Experience: Web accessibility testing tools can help create a better user experience for people with disabilities, as it allows developers to make sure that their websites are accessible and usable by all users.
5. Open Source Tools: There are also many open source web accessibility testing tools available that allow developers to easily create tests and validate them without having to rely on external services or paying for licenses. These open source tools are often more customizable than commercial solutions and provide an easy way for developers to get started with web accessibility testing.

How to Select the Right Web Accessibility Testing Tool

Utilize the tools given on this page to examine web accessibility testing tools in terms of price, features, integrations, user reviews, and more.

When selecting the right web accessibility testing tools, it is important to consider the scope and purpose of your project. Different tools offer different levels of complexity and support for a range of web technologies, so you should narrow down your choices based on your specific use case.

In addition, budget considerations should be taken into account. Some solutions are open source or free, while others come with a one-time fee or subscription model. Consider which features you need and how much you can afford to spend to get the best value for your money.

Additionally, look at the supported browsers and platforms when evaluating solutions; having compatibility across multiple browser versions and OS types will give you greater flexibility for testing.

Finally, review user feedback for any products that you’re considering; this will give you an idea of what issues others have encountered with those products and if they would recommend them or not.