Accessibility Testing Guide

Welcome to the comprehensive Accessibility Testing Guide. This document provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to evaluating your digital content against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Aimed at ensuring your content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, this guide is structured to provide in-depth insights and actionable steps for each criterion within the WCAG framework.

Main tips

Use sufficient color contrast: Ensure that there is enough contrast between text and background colors to make it easy for users with visual impairments to read the content.
Provide alternative text for images: Add alternative text to images so that users with visual impairments can understand the content of the image.
Use clear and concise language: Use simple and easy-to-understand language to make the content accessible to users with cognitive disabilities.
Use headings and subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to organize content and make it easier for users with screen readers to navigate.
Ensure keyboard accessibility:Ensure that all interactive elements can be accessed and used with a keyboard alone, as some users may not be able to use a mouse.
Provide captions and transcripts for multimedia: Provide captions and transcripts for videos and audio content to make it accessible to users with hearing impairments.
Avoid using flashing or blinking content: Avoid using flashing or blinking content as it can trigger seizures in users with photosensitive epilepsy.

Understanding the Importance of Accessibility

Before delving into the specific guidelines, it's crucial to understand the significance of accessibility. Accessibility ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, have equal access to information and functionality. It involves designing websites and applications that everyone can use, irrespective of their hardware, software, language, location, or ability.

Incorporating accessibility practices improves the user experience for all users and demonstrates social responsibility, legal compliance, and economic sense.

WCAG Overview

The WCAG documents explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are organized under four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Under these principles, there are specific guidelines and testable success criteria, which are classified under three levels of conformance: Level A (must satisfy), Level AA (should satisfy), and Level AAA (may satisfy).

1.1.1: Checking images

Objective

Non-text Content: Provide text alternatives for non-text content, such as images, to make it perceivable by screen readers.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: alt can be done the three ways: alt 2. aria-label 3. aria-labelledby to an id of a tet in the content
Evaluate: alt can be done the three ways: alt 2. aria-label 3. aria-labelledby to an id of a tet in the content
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.2.1: Check for hearing

Objective

Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded): Provide text alternatives for audio and video content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Having alternative text
Evaluate: Having alternative text
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.2.1: Standard

Objective

Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded): Provide text alternatives for audio and video content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Video
Evaluate: Video
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.3.1: Checking links and buttons

Objective

Info and Relationships: Use semantic markup to structure content for better comprehension.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Links are change of context or navigation Buttons are action e.g. submit
Evaluate: Links are change of context or navigation Buttons are action e.g. submit
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.3.1: Checking lists

Objective

Info and Relationships: Use semantic markup to structure content for better comprehension.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: If something looks like a list should be orderd list ol HTML element or unordered ul HTML element when has more than 3 items
Evaluate: If something looks like a list should be orderd list or unordered when has more than 3 items
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.3.1: Checking tables

Objective

Info and Relationships: Use semantic markup to structure content for better comprehension.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: 1. tables only used for table purpose not layout 2. Make sure columns have th HTML element tag 3. scope is not mandatory but good to have it. 4. every cell must have one piced of data 5. avoid nested table
Evaluate: 1. tables only used for table purpose not layout 2. Make sure columns have th HTML element tag 3. scope is not mandatory but good to have it. 4. every cell must have one piced of data 5. avoid nested table
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.3.1: Checking forms

Objective

Info and Relationships: Use semantic markup to structure content for better comprehension.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Required is better than aria-required since it will use browser built-in function of validation but aria-required can't do the validation
Evaluate: Required is better than aria-required since it will use browser built-in function of validation but aria-required can't do the validation
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.3.1: Standard

Objective

Info and Relationships: Use semantic markup to structure content for better comprehension.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: applies to list and table and forms for required
Evaluate: applies to list and table and forms for required
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.3.3: Standard

Objective

Sensory Characteristics: Do not rely solely on sensory characteristics (e.g., shape, size, or location) for information.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Do not use something like left right or her this for actiosn
Evaluate: Do not use something like left right or her this for actiosn
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.4.1: Focus checks

Objective

Use of Color: Ensure that color is not the sole method used to convey information or distinguish visual elements on a web page. Information and functionality should be understandable and usable for those who cannot perceive color differences.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: - Check both text and background - Check non-text and border elements
Evaluate: - Check both text and background - Check non-text and border elements
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.1.1: Standard

Objective

Keyboard: Ensure all functionality can be operated via a keyboard.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Hover is available with keyboard as well as mouse
Evaluate: Hover is available with keyboard as well as mouse
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.2.2: Standard

Objective

Pause, Stop, Hide: Provide mechanisms to pause, stop, or hide moving, blinking, or scrolling content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Video and audio
Evaluate: Video and audio
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.4.1: Landmark checking

Objective

Bypass Blocks: Include mechanisms to skip repetitive content or blocks.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Land marks are: 1. Header 2. Nav, 3. Main 4. Feeter 4. Aside 6. Form* 7.Section* *: if form and section has accessible label attribute one of aria-label, aria-labelledby or title
Evaluate: Land marks are: 1. Header 2. Nav, 3. Main 4. Feeter 4. Aside 6. Form* 7.Section* *: if form and section has accessible label attribute one of aria-label, aria-labelledby or title
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.4.1: Heading checking

Objective

Bypass Blocks: Include mechanisms to skip repetitive content or blocks.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Common headings can be bypassed to main HTML element.
Evaluate: Common headings can be bypassed to main HTML element.
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.4.1: Standard

Objective

Bypass Blocks: Include mechanisms to skip repetitive content or blocks.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Skiplinks
Evaluate: Skiplinks
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.4.4: Standard

Objective

Link Purpose (In Context): Make link purposes clear within their context.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Text link needs to tell the purpose of the link
Evaluate: Text link needs to tell the purpose of the link
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.5.1: Standard

Objective

Pointer Gestures: Make sure that all functionality can be operated via a single pointer gesture (such as tapping or clicking), without requiring multiple or complex gestures, to ensure accessibility for users who have difficulty with fine motor control.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Gestures should have alternative
Evaluate: Gestures should have alternative
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.5.3: Standard

Objective

Label in Name: Ensure that user interface components (e.g., form fields, buttons) have programmatically determined labels that match the visible text label. This helps users of assistive technology understand the purpose of each component.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: - Applies to form elements - Links and buttons
Evaluate: - Applies to form elements - Links and buttons
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

2.5.4: Standard

Objective

Motion Actuation: If motion or orientation is used to control functionality, provide alternative methods for users who cannot perform such actions due to disabilities.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Motions like tilting, shaking and rotating should have alternatives
Evaluate: Motions like tilting, shaking and rotating should have alternatives
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

3.1.1: Checking document attributes

Objective

Language of Page: Identify the language of the page programmatically.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Having defined lang for page
Evaluate: Having defined lang for page
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

3.2.2: Standard

Objective

On Input: Automatically detect and notify users of input errors and provide suggestions for correction, helping users identify and rectify input mistakes.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Focus should not be part of navigation
Evaluate: Focus should not be part of navigation
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

3.3.1: Standard

Objective

Error Identification: Provide clear instructions and labels to help users identify and understand errors when they occur in forms or other user interactions. Additionally, provide suggestions for correction.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Applies to form
Evaluate: Applies to form
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

3.3.2: Standard

Objective

Labels or Instructions: Ensure that forms and user interface components have labels or instructions that are programmatically associated with the respective elements to enhance user comprehension and interaction.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Related to forms Use of fieldset and legent for radio and select
Evaluate: Related to forms Use of fieldset and legent for radio and select
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

4.1.1: Checking document attributes

Objective

Parsing: Ensure content is well-formed and parses correctly.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Check !DocType html is there
Evaluate: Check !DocType html is there
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

4.1.1: Checking document attributes

Objective

Parsing: Ensure content is well-formed and parses correctly.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Having Lang according to ISO639-1
Evaluate: Having Lang according to ISO639-1
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level A

1.2.3: Standard

Objective

Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded): Provide audio descriptions for video content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Video
Evaluate: Video
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

1.3.5: Standard

Objective

Identify Input Purpose: Provide a clear and concise input purpose for form fields.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Applies to forms input element, there are many like email credit car (cc)
Evaluate: Applies to forms input element, there are many like email credit car (cc)
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

1.4.10: Standard

Objective

Reflow: Content should be able to reflow, adapt, or reorganize without requiring users to scroll horizontally or zoom. This ensures that content remains accessible on different screen sizes and orientations.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Zoom should be done 400%
Evaluate: Zoom should be done 400%
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

1.4.12: Standard

Objective

Text Spacing: Provide users with the ability to adjust the spacing between lines of text, characters, and words. This helps improve readability for people with various reading disabilities.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: - user not blocked by settings: - line height at least 1.5 tiems of the font size - spacing after paragraph is 2 times font size - letter spacing is 0.12 times of the font size - word spacing is 0.16 times the font size
Evaluate: - user not blocked by settings: - line height at least 1.5 tiems of the font size - spacing after paragraph is 2 times font size - letter spacing is 0.12 times of the font size - word spacing is 0.16 times the font size
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

2.2.2: Check for hearing

Objective

Pause, Stop, Hide: Provide mechanisms to pause, stop, or hide moving, blinking, or scrolling content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: pause stop and hide
Evaluate: pause stop and hide
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

2.3.2: nan

Objective

Three Flashes or Below Threshold: Avoid content that flashes more than three times per second.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Animation flashes not more than 3 times per second
Evaluate: Animation flashes not more than 3 times per second
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

2.4.2: Checking HTML

Objective

Page Titled: Provide descriptive and concise page titles.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: The title must: - exists - is unique is descriptive enough e.g having company name etc
Evaluate: The title must: - exists - is unique is descriptive enough e.g having company name etc
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

2.4.7: Standard

Objective

Focus Visible: Ensure that keyboard focus is visible and clear.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Two factors: '- color of the focus - more change like border width in pixel e.g. 1px to 2px on focus
Evaluate: Two factors: '- color of the focus - more change like border width in pixel e.g. 1px to 2px on focus
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

2.5.2: Standard

Objective

Pointer Cancellation: Ensure that pointer interactions, such as hover or tap, do not trigger actions when the pointer is moved away from the target, to prevent unintentional actions for users with motor disabilities.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Gesture and pointer alternative must be cancellable via undo or abort
Evaluate: Gesture and pointer alternative must be cancellable via undo or abort
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

3.1.2: Checking document attributes

Objective

Language of Parts: Identify the language of specific parts of the content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Having defined lang for sections if differnt from the page lang
Evaluate: Having defined lang for sections if differnt from the page lang
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

3.3.2: Checking forms

Objective

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Radio should have fieldset and legend immediately after fieldset
Evaluate: Radio should have fieldset and legend immediately after fieldset
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

3.3.2: Checking forms

Objective

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Place holder is not a label
Evaluate: Place holder is not a label
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

3.3.3: Standard

Objective

Error Suggestion: If the user makes an input error, provide suggestions for corrections to assist users in resolving the issue.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Applies to form
Evaluate: Applies to form
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

4.1.2: Checking videos

Objective

Name, Role, Value: Ensure that user interface components (such as form fields, buttons, and interactive elements) can be programmatically determined and that their states and properties can be set by assistive technologies to support accessibility.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Video
Evaluate: Video
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AA

1.2.3: Check for hearing

Objective

Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded): Provide audio descriptions for video content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Having audio description
Evaluate: Having audio description
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

1.3.5: Checking forms

Objective

Identify Input Purpose: Provide a clear and concise input purpose for form fields.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Input not having autocomplete
Evaluate: Input not having autocomplete
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

1.4.13: Checking hover

Objective

Content on Hover or Focus: Ensure that content that appears on hover or focus (such as tooltips) can be dismissed by the user, ensuring that it doesn't obscure content or functionality.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Can be cancelled by escape
Evaluate: Can be cancelled by escape
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

1.4.3: Checking contrast

Objective

Contrast (Minimum): Text and images of text should have a minimum contrast ratio against their background to ensure readability, particularly for users with low vision.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: It nees to be minimum 3:1 for non-text and 4.5:1 for text
Evaluate: It nees to be minimum 3:1 for non-text and 4.5:1 for text
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

1.4.9: Checking images

Objective

Images of Text (No Exception): Avoid using images of text unless it is essential, as text within images is less accessible to screen readers and cannot be resized by users.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: If image is image of text check that
Evaluate: If image is image of text check that
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.4.10: Heading checking

Objective

Section Headings: Use clear and descriptive headings to structure content.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: - No skip heading e.g. h1 then h3
Evaluate: - No skip heading e.g. h1 then h3
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.4.4: Check link and buttons

Objective

Link Purpose (In Context): Make link purposes clear within their context.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Link fails if it says click here etc when purpose is not clear
Evaluate: Link fails if it says click here etc when purpose is not clear
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.4.4: Checking images

Objective

Link Purpose (In Context): Make link purposes clear within their context.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: If image is link the alt should tell what it does
Evaluate: If image is link the alt should tell what it does
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.4.6: Heading checking

Objective

Headings and Labels: Ensure that headings and labels are descriptive and meaningful.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: - Always has h1
Evaluate: - Always has h1
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.4.6: Checking forms

Objective

Headings and Labels: Ensure that headings and labels are descriptive and meaningful.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Input not having proper label in name
Evaluate: Input not having proper label in name
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.5.3: Check link and buttons

Objective

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Label in name (visible label matches the accessiblity label)
Evaluate: Label in name (visible label matches the accessiblity label)
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

2.5.3: Checking forms

Objective

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Input not having proper label in name
Evaluate: Input not having proper label in name
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

3.2.3: Check navigation

Objective

Consistent Navigation: Ensure that navigation mechanisms remain consistent across web pages within a set of web pages (such as a website). This helps users predict the location of navigation elements.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: Navigation order and place is not random
Evaluate: Navigation order and place is not random
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

3.2.4: Checking link and buttons

Objective

Consistent Identification: Components that have the same functionality within a set of web pages should be consistently identified. This helps users understand and recognize similar elements.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: The same button text should not do two different things
Evaluate: The same button text should not do two different things
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

3.3.3: Checking forms

Objective

Error Suggestion: If the user makes an input error, provide suggestions for corrections to assist users in resolving the issue.

Instructions

Understand the Criteria: When validation fails and error shown, the error should have aria-describedby id of the input failed
Evaluate: When validation fails and error shown, the error should have aria-describedby id of the input failed
Tools and Techniques: Utilize both manual and automated tools as appropriate.
Document and Report: Note any non-compliance or issues found.

Conformance Level

Level AAA

Conclusion

Accessibility testing is not a one-time task but an ongoing effort that enhances the user experience and ensures inclusivity. By systematically following the guidelines and steps outlined in this manual, you can significantly contribute to creating a more accessible digital world. Remember, an accessible web benefits everyone and creates a more inclusive society.

End of Accessibility Testing Guide