Accessibility Testing

Accessibility testing is the process of evaluating how well a digital product can be used by people with disabilities. It ensures websites, apps, and software are accessible to all users regardless of their abilities, complying with standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).

Why Accessibility Testing Matters

Accessibility testing isn't just about compliance—it's about creating inclusive experiences that work for everyone. Here's why it matters:

• Legal requirements: Many countries have laws requiring digital accessibility (ADA in the US, EAA in Europe)
• Broader reach: Approximately 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability
• Better user experience: Improvements for accessibility often benefit all users
• Brand reputation: Shows commitment to inclusion and social responsibility
• Reduced legal risk: Helps avoid potential accessibility lawsuits

When you make your digital products accessible, you're not just doing the right thing ethically—you're also expanding your potential user base and creating better experiences for everyone.

How Accessibility Testing Works

Accessibility testing (or a11y testing) involves systematically checking your digital products against established standards to identify barriers that might prevent people with disabilities from using them effectively.

Testing Methods

1. Automated testing

   • Uses software tools to scan for common issues
   • Examples: Axe, WAVE, Lighthouse
   • ✅ Quick way to catch basic problems
   • ❌ Only catches about 30% of potential issues

2. Manual testing

   • Involves human testers checking against accessibility guidelines
   • More thorough than automated tests
   • Includes keyboard navigation testing, screen reader compatibility, and color contrast checking
   • ✅ Finds issues automated tools miss
   • ❌ Time-consuming and requires expertise

3. User testing with people with disabilities

   • Observing real users with disabilities interacting with your product
   • The gold standard for accessibility testing
   • ✅ Reveals real-world problems that other methods miss
   • ✅ Provides context and severity of issues

What to Test

• Keyboard accessibility: Can all functions be accessed without a mouse?
• Screen reader compatibility: Does content make sense when read aloud?
• Color contrast: Is text readable against its background?
• Text resizing: Does the interface work when text is enlarged?
• Alternative text: Are images described for those who can't see them?
• Form labels: Are form fields properly labeled?
• Focus indicators: Is the current focus location visible?
• Error handling: Are errors clearly communicated and fixable?

Best Practices for Accessibility Testing

Follow these guidelines to make your accessibility testing more effective:

✅ Start early: Test for accessibility from the beginning of development ✅ Use multiple testing methods: Combine automated, manual, and user testing ✅ Focus on high-impact areas first: Prioritize critical user journeys and common tasks ✅ Test with actual assistive technology: Use screen readers and other tools that disabled users rely on ✅ Document findings clearly: Include steps to reproduce, severity, and recommended fixes ✅ Retest after fixes: Ensure solutions don't create new problems ✅ Stay updated: WCAG guidelines evolve; keep your knowledge current

Common Accessibility Testing Mistakes

Avoid these pitfalls in your accessibility testing process:

❌ Relying solely on automated tools: They miss many important issues ❌ Testing only at the end: Makes fixes more expensive and difficult ❌ Ignoring diverse disabilities: Focusing only on visual impairments overlooks other needs ❌ Failing to prioritize: Not all issues have equal impact ❌ Treating it as a one-time activity: Accessibility requires ongoing attention ❌ Not involving real users: Missing context and real-world usage patterns

Connection to Card Sorting

Card sorting can support accessibility efforts by helping create more intuitive information architectures. When your site's organization matches users' mental models, it becomes easier for everyone to navigate—including people with disabilities.

When conducting card sorting for accessibility:

• Include participants with disabilities in your card sorting sessions
• Consider how categories and labels would be interpreted by screen readers
• Use card sorting to validate navigation patterns with users of assistive technology
• Test that your information architecture makes sense when navigated by keyboard only

Card sorting helps ensure that your site's structure doesn't create unnecessary cognitive load, which is particularly important for users with cognitive disabilities.

Get Started with Accessibility Testing

Begin integrating accessibility testing into your UX research process today. Start with automated testing tools to catch obvious issues, then gradually incorporate manual testing and user testing with people with disabilities.

Remember that accessibility isn't a feature—it's a quality requirement that benefits all users. By making accessibility testing a standard part of your process, you'll create more inclusive experiences that work better for everyone.