Accessibility Testing Company

Accessibility testing is a specialized form of software testing that evaluates whether digital products and applications can be effectively used by people with various disabilities. This critical testing discipline ensures that software is accessible to users with visual, auditory, cognitive, motor, or neurological impairments.

At its core, accessibility testing verifies that all users, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to digital content and functionality. The process involves examining software against established accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to identify and resolve barriers that might prevent users with disabilities from accessing or using the application effectively.

As our development team at Etelligens has observed through years of accessibility implementation, proper testing encompasses evaluating compatibility with assistive technologies (like screen readers), ensuring keyboard navigation works correctly, verifying appropriate color contrast, providing text alternatives for non-text content, and much more.

According to WebAIM's annual accessibility analysis, approximately 97% of websites have detectable accessibility issues – highlighting why this specialized testing is essential in today's inclusive digital landscape.

Accessibility testing relies on a combination of automated tools and manual testing approaches. Some of the most widely used software tools include:

1. Automated evaluation tools:

• Axe by Deque Systems – A powerful engine that can be integrated into development workflows
• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool) – Provides visual feedback about accessibility issues directly on the page
• Lighthouse- Google's integrated auditing tool that includes accessibility testing
• IBM Equal Access Accessibility Checker – Comprehensive testing tool with detailed remediation guidance

2. Assistive technology testing tools:

• Screen readers: NVDA (free), JAWS, VoiceOver (macOS/iOS), TalkBack (Android)
• Magnification software: ZoomText, Windows Magnifier
• Voice recognition: Dragon NaturallySpeaking

3. Specialized testing software:

• Color contrast analyzers: Colour Contrast Analyzer, WebAIM Contrast Checker
• Keyboard navigation testers: Tab Order Visualizer
• Simulation tools: Funkify, NoCoffee (vision simulator extensions)

Our accessibility specialists at Etelligens typically employ a multi-layered approach, combining automated scanning with real-world testing using assistive technologies. The most effective testing strategies utilize both automated tools to identify obvious issues and human testers (including those with disabilities) to uncover nuanced usability problems that automation might miss.

The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) provides resources on selecting evaluation tools that match your specific testing requirements at w3.org/WAI/test-evaluate.

Accessibility testing is crucial for several compelling reasons:

Inclusivity and equal access: At its foundation, accessibility testing ensures that all users, including the estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide with disabilities (WHO data), can access and use digital products. This fundamental principle of digital equity aligns with the core human right to information access.

Legal compliance: Many jurisdictions worldwide have enacted legislation requiring digital accessibility, including:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US
• European Accessibility Act in the EU
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in Canada
• The Equality Act in the UK

Non-compliance can lead to significant legal consequences, with accessibility lawsuits increasing by approximately 20% year-over-year according to recent legal analyses.

Business benefits: Beyond compliance, accessibility testing delivers tangible business advantages:

• Expanded market reach to the disability community (representing over $1 trillion in disposable income)
• Improved SEO performance (many accessibility practices align with search engine optimization)
• Enhanced brand reputation and customer loyalty
• Better overall user experience for all users

Technical improvements: As our development team at Etelligens has consistently found, code that meets accessibility standards is typically more robust, maintainable, and compatible across different platforms and devices.

Ethical responsibility: Creating accessible software reflects a commitment to ethical development practices and corporate social responsibility.

The WebAIM Million report consistently shows that the vast majority of websites have accessibility barriers, highlighting the ongoing importance of dedicated accessibility testing in software development lifecycles.

Accessibility testing in software testing is a specialized evaluation process that assesses whether a digital product or application can be effectively used by people with various disabilities or impairments. It is a subset of usability testing that specifically focuses on ensuring equal access and functionality for all users, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.

Formally defined, accessibility testing in software development involves:

1. Evaluating software against established accessibility standards and guidelines (such as WCAG 2.1/2.2)
2. Verifying compatibility with assistive technologies (screen readers, speech recognition, etc.)
3. Identifying barriers that prevent users with disabilities from accessing content or functionality
4. Ensuring compliance with relevant accessibility legislation and regulations
5. Providing actionable feedback for remediation of accessibility issues

This testing discipline goes beyond simple standards compliance to consider the real-world user experience of people with disabilities. It encompasses both automated testing (using specialized tools to identify technical violations) and manual testing (including testing with actual assistive technologies and potentially involving users with disabilities).

At Etelligens, our QA specialists define accessibility testing as the systematic process of ensuring digital equity through rigorous evaluation against both technical standards and human usability requirements. This holistic approach helps create truly inclusive digital experiences rather than merely checking compliance boxes.

The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) recognizes accessibility testing as a distinct testing discipline within the broader software quality assurance framework.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), establish the international standard for digital accessibility. These guidelines are organized around four fundamental principles, often remembered by the acronym POUR:

1. Perceivable

• Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive
• Key requirements include:

o Text alternatives for non-text content
o Captions and alternatives for multimedia
o Content that can be presented in different ways
o Content that is distinguishable (good contrast, visible focus indicators)

2. Operable

• User interface components and navigation must be operable by all users
• Key requirements include:

o Full keyboard accessibility
o Sufficient time to read and use content
o Avoidance of content that could cause seizures
o Navigable content with clear wayfinding

3. Understandable

• Information and operation of the user interface must be understandable
• Key requirements include:

o Readable and predictable text
o Consistent navigation and identification
o Input assistance and error prevention/correction

4. Robust

• Content must be robust enough to be reliably interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies
• Key requirements include:

o Compatible with current and future technologies
o Valid, well-formed code that follows standards

Each WCAG principle contains specific guidelines and success criteria organized into three conformance levels: A (minimum), AA (standard), and AAA (enhanced). Most organizations, including clients we support at Etelligens, target WCAG 2.1 AA compliance as the commonly accepted baseline for accessibility.

The guidelines are technology-agnostic, applying to web content, mobile applications, and other digital interfaces. WCAG 2.2, the latest version, was published in 2023 with additional success criteria focusing on mobile accessibility, cognitive disabilities, and low vision requirements.

The W3C provides the authoritative resource for these guidelines at w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/.

Performing effective accessibility testing requires a structured approach that combines automated tools, manual testing, and real-user feedback. Here's a comprehensive methodology:

1. Planning and Preparation

• Define scope and accessibility targets (typically WCAG 2.1 AA)
• Select appropriate testing tools and methodologies
• Create representative user personas with various disabilities
• Develop test cases covering all relevant WCAG success criteria

2. Automated Testing

• Run automated accessibility scanners across representative pages/screens
• Tools like Axe, WAVE, or Lighthouse can identify up to 30-40% of potential issues
• Document and categorize all automated findings
• Remember automated tools catch technical violations but not all usability issues

3. Manual Expert Testing

• Conduct keyboard-only navigation testing (no mouse usage)
• Verify screen reader compatibility with NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver
• Test with magnification tools and at different zoom levels
• Review color contrast and readability
• Evaluate page structure and semantic HTML
• Check form validation and error handling
• Test with disabled CSS and JavaScript to verify fallbacks

4. User Testing with People with Disabilities

• When possible, include testers with various disabilities
• Create realistic task scenarios for testing
• Gather qualitative feedback on user experience
• Observe actual usage patterns with assistive technologies

5. Documentation and Reporting

• Document all identified issues with:

o Clear descriptions of the problem
o Reference to specific WCAG success criteria
o Impact on users with disabilities
o Recommended remediation steps
o Priority level based on impact and frequency

6. Remediation and Verification

• Address identified issues based on priority
• Conduct regression testing after fixes
• Verify remediation with the same tools and methods used in initial testing

At Etelligens, we've refined our accessibility testing methodology through hundreds of projects, finding that integrating accessibility testing throughout the development lifecycle (rather than treating it as a final checkpoint) yields the most effective results. This "shift-left" approach helps identify and resolve issues earlier when they're less costly to fix.

The Accessibility Testing Evaluation Framework developed by the W3C provides additional guidance on structuring comprehensive accessibility evaluations.

Automating accessibility testing effectively requires integrating multiple tools and approaches throughout the development lifecycle. Here's a comprehensive strategy:

1. Integration into Development Workflows

• Linting and IDE plugins

o ESLint with jsx-a11y for React applications
o axe-linter for VS Code or other IDE integrations
o SonarQube with accessibility rule sets

• Pre-commit hooks

o Configure Git hooks to run basic accessibility checks before code commits

2. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

• Automated scanning in build pipelines

o Implement axe-core, pa11y, or similar tools in CI/CD pipelines
o Set accessibility violation thresholds as build-breaking conditions
o Generate accessibility reports as build artifacts

• Headless browser testing

o Use Playwright or Cypress with accessibility plugins for automated functional testing that includes accessibility checks

3. Automated Regression Testing

• Component-level testing

o Test UI components individually for accessibility compliance
o Jest with axe-core can verify accessibility of React components

• End-to-end testing

o Configure Selenium, Cypress, or similar tools with accessibility extensions
o Create specific test cases for keyboard navigation and focus management

4. Reporting and Monitoring

• Accessibility dashboards

o Implement tools like Lighthouse CI to track accessibility scores over time
o Set up automated alerts for accessibility regressions

• Scheduled scans

o Configure regular automated scans of production environments
o Monitor for accessibility drift over time

5. Custom Testing Scripts

• Develop specialized scripts for common patterns in your application
• Create reusable test fixtures for complex UI components

Our engineering team at Etelligens has found that the most effective approach combines multiple automation layers. For example, we typically implement component-level accessibility testing during development, integration-level checks in CI/CD pipelines, and scheduled full-site scans in production environments.

It's crucial to remember that automation can identify approximately 30-40% of potential accessibility issues. Manual testing remains essential for aspects like meaningful alt text, logical reading order, and appropriate ARIA implementation. As the W3C notes: "No automated evaluation tool can tell you if your website is accessible, or even compliant. Human testing is always necessary."

For guidance on selecting and implementing automation tools, the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative provides excellent resources at w3.org/WAI/test-evaluate/tools/selecting/.

Accessibility testing encompasses several specialized approaches, each focusing on different aspects of digital accessibility:

1. Manual Compliance Testing

• Expert review against WCAG standards
• Point-by-point verification of success criteria
• In-depth examination of semantic structure and ARIA implementation
• Comprehensive documentation of compliance status

2. Automated Testing

• Tool-based scanning for detectable accessibility violations
• Large-scale evaluation of consistent patterns
• Regression testing to prevent accessibility degradation
• Integration with development workflows for early detection

3. Screen Reader Testing

• Evaluating content with screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver
• Verifying accurate announcement of interface elements
• Testing logical reading order and heading structure
• Ensuring proper implementation of ARIA roles and attributes

4. Keyboard Navigation Testing

• Verifying all functionality works without a mouse
• Testing focus visibility and logical tab order
• Evaluating keyboard traps and focus management
• Confirming shortcut keys don't conflict with assistive technologies

5. Visual Accessibility Testing

• Color contrast evaluation for text and interface elements
• Testing with color blindness simulators
• Evaluating responsiveness at different zoom levels (up to 400%)
• Verifying content remains usable with custom stylesheets

6. Cognitive Accessibility Testing

• Evaluating for clear language and instructions
• Testing for consistent and predictable navigation
• Assessing tolerance for user errors and recovery paths
• Verifying sufficient time allowances for completing tasks

7. User Testing with People with Disabilities

• Observation of real users with various disabilities
• Task-based scenarios to evaluate real-world usability
• Collection of qualitative feedback on user experience
• Identification of barriers not caught by other testing methods

8. Mobile-specific Accessibility Testing

• Touch target size and spacing verification
• Testing gesture alternatives and custom touch interactions
• Evaluating compatibility with mobile screen readers
• Assessing orientation adaptability

At Etelligens, our QA team typically implements a multi-layered testing approach combining automated scanning, expert manual review, and targeted user testing to achieve comprehensive coverage. We've found that different types of testing uncover different categories of issues, making a diversified approach essential for thorough accessibility evaluation.

The Inclusive Design Research Centre provides excellent resources on selecting appropriate testing methodologies based on project requirements and constraints.

The landscape of automated accessibility testing tools offers solutions for different stages of development and testing. Here's a comprehensive overview of the most effective and widely-used options:

Browser Extensions & Developer Tools

• axe DevTools (Deque Systems) – Comprehensive browser extension with detailed remediation guidance
• WAVE (WebAIM) – Visual feedback tool showing issues in context on the page
• Lighthouse (Google) – Integrated into Chrome DevTools with accessibility audit capabilities
• Accessibility Insights (Microsoft) – Detailed testing tool with automated and guided manual checks
• SiteImprove Accessibility Checker – Browser extension with educational resources for each issue

Automated Testing Frameworks

• axe-core – Open-source JavaScript library that powers many other tools
• Pa11y – Command-line tool and dashboard for accessibility testing
• Cypress-axe – Integration of axe-core with Cypress testing framework
• Jest-axe – Unit testing for accessibility in JavaScript applications
• Playwright Accessibility – Accessibility testing within Playwright automation framework

Enterprise-level Solutions

• Deque Axe Monitor – Enterprise-scale scanning and monitoring platform
• Level Access AMP – Comprehensive accessibility management platform
• SiteImprove Accessibility – Part of a larger digital presence optimization suite
• Tenon.io – API-first accessibility testing platform
• Pope Tech – Accessibility monitoring and remediation platform

Specialized Testing Tools

• Colour Contrast Analyzer – Dedicated tool for evaluating color contrast ratios
• HeadingsMap – Extension for evaluating document structure and heading hierarchy
• ARC Toolkit – Comprehensive testing suite focused on WCAG compliance
• Fontanello – Typography and readability analysis tool

Our engineering team at Etelligens typically implements a layered approach to automated testing, with axe-core integrated into our CI/CD pipelines, browser extensions for developer testing, and periodic full-site scans with enterprise tools. This multi-tool strategy helps capture different types of accessibility issues at various stages of development.

According to the WebAIM accessibility practitioners survey, axe-based tools and WAVE are consistently rated as the most useful automated testing solutions, though all automated tools have limitations – typically catching only 30-40% of potential accessibility issues.

For guidance on selecting appropriate tools for your specific needs, the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative offers a comprehensive evaluation tools list at w3.org/WAI/ER/tools/.

Neglecting accessibility testing carries significant legal risks that have increased substantially in recent years. Understanding these implications is essential for organizations developing digital products:

Legal Framework in the United States

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Though enacted before the modern web, courts have consistently interpreted the ADA to apply to digital content
• Section 508 – Requires federal agencies and their contractors to make technology accessible
• State Laws – Many states have enacted their own accessibility requirements (e.g., California's Unruh Civil Rights Act)

Between 2018 and 2023, web accessibility lawsuits in the U.S. increased by over 300%, with thousands of cases filed annually. Notable decisions like Robles v. Domino's Pizza have affirmed that the ADA applies to websites and mobile apps.

Global Legal Requirements

• European Union – The European Accessibility Act (EAA) and Web Accessibility Directive mandate accessibility for many digital services
• Canada – Provincial laws like AODA (Ontario) require WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance
• United Kingdom – The Equality Act 2010 has been applied to digital accessibility
• Australia – The Disability Discrimination Act covers digital content

Potential Consequences

• Litigation costs – Even settled cases typically cost $10,000-$50,000
• Settlements and damages – Can range from thousands to millions depending on the jurisdiction
• Mandatory remediation – Court-ordered fixes often under tight deadlines
• Public relations damage – Accessibility lawsuits can harm brand reputation
• Compliance monitoring – Many settlements require ongoing accessibility auditing

Preventative Measures

Organizations should implement:

• Regular accessibility audits against WCAG standards
• Clear accessibility policies and statements
• Documented remediation plans for identified issues
• Training for development and content teams
• Consideration of accessibility early in product design

At Etelligens, we've helped several clients establish proactive accessibility compliance programs after they experienced legal challenges. Our experience indicates that implementing accessibility testing from the beginning is significantly more cost-effective than addressing issues after a complaint or lawsuit.

The legal landscape continues to evolve, with courts increasingly receptive to digital accessibility claims. The UsableNet Annual ADA Lawsuit Report provides current statistics on litigation trends, and resources like the W3C WAI guidance on legal requirements offer valuable context for understanding obligations in different jurisdictions.

Note: While this information reflects current understanding of legal implications, it should not be construed as legal advice. Organizations should consult with legal counsel familiar with digital accessibility law in relevant jurisdictions.