What is Accessibility testing?
Accessibility testing is the process of making your web and mobile apps as accessible to as many people as possible, especially those who use assistive technologies.
This type of testing evaluates the application to ensure that it is user-friendly for persons with various impairments such as vision, hearing, cognitive, and so on. Simply said, it assures that a certain application is accessible to all users, whether regular or physically handicapped.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 16% of people worldwide are disabled in some way.
According to a Straits Research report, the global market for accessibility testing is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% and surpass the estimated $606.46 million by 2027.
To make digital material more accessible to these people, organisations incorporate accessibility testing into their development process.
Why Accessibility Testing Matters?
Ensuring that software products are useable by all users, regardless of their impairment, is the primary goal of accessibility testing. The following are some further justifications for the significance of accessibility testing,
- Inclusivity and Equal Access:
As was previously mentioned, 16% of people worldwide live with a disability. Consequently, a software product’s user base grows when it is made available to all types of users. It can draw in more people and meet the needs of various audience segments. As a result, businesses now include accessibility testing in their software testing life cycle (STLC). - Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
There are laws and guidelines in several nations that require digital products to be accessible. There may be legal consequences for breaking these rules, such as fines and lawsuits. By ensuring that their software complies with the relevant compliance standards, companies can reduce the risk of legal liability by conducting accessibility testing.
- Enhanced User Experience:
Accessible design principles assist not only those with impairments, but they also improve the overall user experience for everyone. Clear navigation, simple content, and adaptive interfaces all contribute to software’s usability and intuitiveness. Accessibility testing identifies opportunities for improvement, resulting in a more efficient and pleasurable user experience for all users.
- Future-proofing:
As technology advances, so should accessibility standards and best practices. Organisations that incorporate accessibility testing into the development process future-proof their software against changing requirements. This proactive strategy guarantees that products are accessible and consistent with growing accessibility standards, reducing the need for costly retrofits or redesigns in the future.
Evaluation Guide for Accessibility Testing
- Ensure the contrast ratio between text and background colors is appropriate for visually impaired users.
- Provide text descriptions for all non-text content, such as images, videos, icons, and graphs.
- Ensure the entire application is accessible using only a keyboard, without requiring a mouse.
- Verify that resizing text does not disrupt the layout, content, or accessibility across different platforms and browsers.
- Ensure the application’s navigation is consistent and user-friendly, allowing easy access to any functionality from any page.
- Ensure all form fields have proper labels that are readable and understandable.
- Provide options for users to switch the application’s language to their preferred one.
- Ensure all error messages are timely and provide sufficient information to users.
- Ensure the application adheres to accessibility standards like ADA, WCAG 2.0 AA, and WCAG 2.1 AA.
How to Perform Accessibility Testing?
Performing accessibility testing involves several steps to ensure that digital products, such as websites, applications, or software, are usable by people with disabilities. Here’s a general guide on how to perform accessibility testing:
First, evaluate and understand the accessibility guidelines and standards relevant to the product being developed. Next, create test scenarios by choosing the various components of your application that you want to test, such as keyboard navigation, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility, and define the scope of the testing.
Set up your testing environment to include a variety of browsers, devices, and assistive technologies. Install both automated and manual accessibility testing tools to assist with the process. Conduct automated accessibility testing to check for common accessibility problems, such as inadequate color contrast, missing alt text, and incorrect heading structures. Automated tools can identify these issues quickly.
Following this, perform manual accessibility testing to discover issues that automated tools may miss. For keyboard accessibility, navigate around the product using only keyboard controls. Ensure that interactive elements, including buttons, links, and form fields, are accessible and usable. Verify the correct use of semantic HTML elements, such as headings, lists, and landmarks, and ensure that the content is clear and understandable, using proper language and structure.
After testing, evaluate the results to identify any defects or issues that need to be fixed, and inform the development team. Once the errors and accessibility issues have been resolved, retest the application to ensure no new or existing accessibility bugs have been introduced.
Finally, document the testing process, new learnings, and the approaches taken to resolve issues, and report the findings to stakeholders.
Common Misconceptions About Accessibility Testing:
Here are some common misconceptions about accessibility testing. Let us burst these myths with facts.
Misconception 1: Accessibility Testing is Exclusively for People with Disabilities
Reality: While accessibility testing primarily aims to accommodate individuals with disabilities, it also improves the overall usability and effectiveness of the application for all users.
Misconception 2: Accessibility Testing is Costly and Time-Intensive
Reality: Early investment in accessibility testing can actually save time and money over the long term. Addressing accessibility issues during the development phase is more efficient and less expensive than making adjustments later on.
Misconception 3: Accessibility Testing is a One-Time effort
Reality: Accessibility testing should be an ongoing process throughout the development lifecycle. Continuous testing, regular user feedback, and updates in response to evolving standards are necessary to ensure long-term accessibility.
Misconception 4: Accessibility Testing is Only Important for Large Companies or Government Bodies
Reality: Accessibility testing is valuable for organizations of all sizes and types. Whether you’re a small business, a startup, an educational institution, or a nonprofit, prioritizing accessibility can significantly broaden your product’s reach and enhance its usability.
Common Accessibility Testing Bugs: What to Watch for?
Ensuring your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is crucial for a positive user experience. Here are a couple of common accessibility issues you might encounter during testing, along with their impacts and recommendations for improvement.
1. Insufficient Color Contrast for Button Text
Bug Title: Color Contrast Insufficient for Button Text
Description: One critical accessibility issue is poor color contrast between text and its background. For instance, on a website any button might have text that blends too much with the background color. This lack of contrast makes it challenging for users with visual impairments, such as color blindness or low vision, to read the button text. According to WCAG AA guidelines, the color contrast ratio should be at least 4.5:1 for normal text to ensure readability. Here we need to verify the color contrast ratio
Screenshot:
The contrast ratio for the “Contact Us” button text is only 2.5:1, falling short of the recommended threshold.
Impact: Users with visual impairments may struggle to read the button text, potentially hindering their ability to Contact Us and navigate the website effectively.
Recommendation: Adjust the color contrast to meet the minimum 4.5:1 ratio. Consider using tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to verify that text is sufficiently distinguishable from the background.
2. Screen Reader Not Reading Button Text
Bug Title: Screen Reader Not Reading Submit Button Text
Description: Accessibility issues can also affect users who rely on screen readers. A common problem is when a screen reader fails to announce the text of a button. This issue occurs due to missing accessible labels or attributes, creating a significant barrier for users with visual impairments.
Try to reproduce the issue using the below steps in website of your choice:
- Open the web page containing the form in a web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).
- Activate a screen reader tool (e.g., NVDA, JAWS for Windows, or VoiceOver for macOS).
- Navigate to the “Submit” button using keyboard navigation (e.g., Tab key).
- Listen to the screen reader output to check if the button text and its purpose are announced correctly.
Here the expected result is that The screen reader should clearly announce the button as “Submit” and provide context about its function, allowing users to understand that pressing it will submit the form.
But what could happen was the screen reader either does not announce the button text or announces it incorrectly, such as only saying “button” without additional descriptive text.
Impact: Users who rely on screen readers may be unable to identify or interact with the “Submit” button, which can prevent them from completing and submitting forms, creating a significant accessibility barrier.
Recommendation: Ensure all interactive elements have appropriate ARIA roles and properties or use semantic HTML. Test the form with various screen readers to ensure the button text is announced consistently and accurately. Providing clear and descriptive labels for all interactive elements will enhance overall accessibility.
In conclusion, accessibility testing isn’t just about compliance—it’s about ensuring that digital experiences are inclusive for all. By prioritizing accessibility, we pave the way for a more equitable and user-friendly digital landscape. Let’s continue to champion accessibility testing as an essential aspect of creating products that empower and serve every user.
Refer -To know more about The Laws in Accessibility testing.
