Types of Accessibility Testing: Evaluating Web Content, Software, and Mobile Apps

Accessibility testing helps organizations to build full-fledged accessible websites, thereby widening their customer reach and scaling their brand image. The accessibility testing platform ensures that all the websites and web applications abide by accessible guidelines and protocols. An accessible website will no doubt benefit non-disabled people, but, through the tactical use of assistive technologies, the disabled community can easily navigate and use a website or web application. In this article, you will get to know the types of accessibility testing.

What is accessibility testing?

It is a testing method that ensures that a software product or application is usable/accessible to as many people as possible, including the disabled people. In order to make sure that the website or web application is accessible/reachable to anyone without any barriers, the accessibility testing platform incorporates various types of accessibility into QA practices. Accessibility testing tools are also incorporated by the testing team to enhance the website’s or web application’s accessibility.

The following are the types of accessibility testing:

1. Manual testing: Accessibility issues are manually identified by testing website or web application. User experience can be analyzed by using assistive technologies such as screen readers. Text sizing, content scaling, style disablement, UI structural elements and keyboard accessibility are manually reviewed by manual testing process.
2. Automation testing: Web pages can be scanned by testers using automation tools so that accessibility issues can be identified. Quick and efficient ways can be provided by these tools so that common problems can be identified. Errors are identified across hundreds of web pages through the tactical use of automation testing tools.

Application functionality, design styling and image contrast are properly worked out by the automated testing platform.

1. Keyboard navigation testing: Websites or web applications can be tested to know whether it is navigable through a keyboard or not. Testers check the accessibility of all interactive elements, keyboard shortcuts and tab order.
2. Screen reader testing: Screen readers are tested by testers to ensure visually impaired users can easily use it. This process involves labeling, checking proper navigation and all elements while a screen reader is being used.

Following are a few key points that depict the strategic importance of accessibility testing:

1. Improved user experience: Frequent results in enhancements are carried out by mobile accessibility testing that benefit all users including the disabled community. For example, the navigation of a website or web application is enhanced, by making it more user-friendly.
2. The value of compliance: When it comes to nations across the globe, many across the globe have made mandatory rules for website owners to make their websites or web applications accessible. Accessibility testing ensures that a website or web application is in line with accessibility standards and guidelines. Upon that, non abidance to accessibility guidelines can create legal hassles for website owners.
3. Broader audience reach: The user base can be potentially increased by ensuring that a website or web application is built in accordance with accessibility guidelines. This will also cover the disabled community and hence a wider audience reach can be ensured. A broader audience reach will in turn help in generating revenues for an organization.
4. The significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A brand’s image is significantly improved through the tactical implementation of accessibility guidelines. Dedication to inclusion and equality is displayed, which, in turn, strengthens the factor of corporate social responsibility. There are many organizations that vie for corporate social responsibility. Upon that, there is a synergy between CSR and accessibility testing.

Conclusion: If you are looking forward to implementing accessibility testing for your specific project, then get connected with a well-established software testing services company that will provide you with a structured testing roadmap aligned with your project scope and requirements.

About the author: I am a technical content writer focused on writing technology specific articles. I strive to provide well-researched information on the leading market savvy technologies.