Creating a website or app that truly works for everyone, including people with disabilities, means going beyond meeting standards, as it then becomes about making the digital world a more inclusive place. As organizations work toward improving digital accessibility, two essential processes come into play: accessibility testing and accessibility audits. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes in the journey toward accessibility compliance.
What is Accessibility Testing?
Benefits of Accessibility Testing
Manual Testing Methods:
- Test Without a Mouse: Many users navigate websites using only a keyboard. Try using basic keyboard commands to see if all content can be accessed and interacted with, ensuring keyboard accessibility.
- Zoom to 200%: eople with low vision often rely on screen magnifiers. Zooming in on the site helps identify scaling issues with text and images that could hinder accessibility.
- Enable High Contrast: High-contrast settings benefit users with vision and neurocognitive conditions. Test how your content displays in high contrast to ensure it’s clear and usable for all audiences.
What is an Accessibility Audit?
An accessibility audit is a thorough check of a website or app to see if it meets specific accessibility standards, like the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). This process uses both automated tools and expert reviews to go through every part of the site, making sure everything works as it should for everyone.
Benefits of Accessibility Audit
Accessibility audits give a clear, comprehensive view of how well a site meets accessibility standards. They are especially important for proving compliance with legal or industry requirements. Audits offer a detailed look at your site’s accessibility, helping you prioritize improvements and digital accessibility plan for long-term strategies to make your platform more inclusive.
Difference Between Accessibility Test and Accessibility Audit
| Aspect | Accessibility Test | Accessibility Audit |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Focuses on specific features or pages | Covers the entire website or application |
| Objectives | Identifies specific usability issues | Ensures adherence to comprehensive accessibility standards |
| Process | Involves both manual checks and automated tools | Combines automated tools with expert evaluations |
| Depth | Focuses on immediate usability issues | Provides a deep, comprehensive review of overall accessibility |
| Cost Involved | Typically lower, as it targets specific areas | Generally higher, due to thorough analysis |
| Frequency | Performed regularly throughout development cycles | Conducted periodically, often before major updates or releases |
| Tools | Utilizes accessibility testing tools and manual methods | Uses a mix of automated tools and expert assessments |
| Guidelines | Assesses against targeted guidelines or best practices | Reviews compliance with broad guidelines like WCAG |
