Website accessibility testing is an important process that guarantees the inclusiveness of your site, ensuring it can be navigated and understood by all users, including those with disabilities. In this guide, we’ll examine the role of web accessibility testing, concentrating on its significance, the UK’s legal stipulations, the importance of WCAG 2.0, and methods to evaluate your website’s accessibility.
What is Web Accessibility Testing?
Web accessibility testing is the scrutiny of a website to ascertain its ease of use for individuals with disabilities. The ultimate goal is to detect and eliminate any barriers that could deter people with disabilities from interacting with your website. This encompasses many visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments.
The Importance of Web Accessibility
Web accessibility is crucial for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is a legal obligation in several nations, the UK included. The Equality Act 2010 necessitates that all public sector websites and services be accessible to people with disabilities. Non-compliance can lead to legal repercussions and hefty fines. Despite the law primarily targeting public sectors, it’s widely accepted that ‘provision of a service’ also extends to commercial web services.
Secondly, web accessibility is a vital element of digital inclusion. It ensures equal access to online information and services for everyone, regardless of their abilities. This is particularly vital in the digital era, where the internet is indispensable for information, communication, and commerce.
Lastly, accessible websites are simply superior websites. They are user-friendly and easy to use for everyone, not just those with disabilities. This can enhance customer satisfaction and open up new business opportunities.
Understanding WCAG 2.0 and UK Requirements
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 is the universally recognised standard for website accessibility. It provides guidelines and success criteria for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines cover a range of accessibility issues, including:
# Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.
# Operable: User interface components and navigation must be operable.
# Understandable: Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.
# Robust: Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted reliably by a wide range of user agents, including assistive technologies.
In the UK, the WCAG 2.0 guidelines are the benchmark for website accessibility. Public sector websites must conform to level AA of the WCAG 2.0 guidelines, while private sector websites are encouraged to do the same.
Testing Your Website for Accessibility
There are several methods to test your website for accessibility, including manual testing, automated testing, and a combination of both.
Manual testing involves a person evaluating your website to identify accessibility barriers. This can include a range of tests, such as keyboard-only testing, screen reader testing, and colour contrast testing.
Automated testing involves using software to evaluate your website for accessibility issues. This can be a quick and efficient way to identify accessibility barriers, but it should not be relied upon as the sole testing method. Automated tests can only identify some accessibility issues and may not pick up on other barriers that only a person can recognise.
The best approach is to use a combination of manual and automated testing. This will ensure that your website is thoroughly tested for accessibility barriers and that any issues are identified and addressed.
Specialist web developers such as Hex Productions build websites with accessibility as a central focus to ensure digital inclusivity for all.
Web Accessibility for Various Disability Types
Web accessibility caters to all disabilities that impact digital access. Here are some ways to make your website more accessible for various types of disabilities:
# Auditory: Use plain English, clear navigation, multiple contact options, and video for Deaf users. Apps like Signly can provide sign language interpretation for written content.
# Cognitive: Keep your site simple and easy to navigate for users with learning difficulties. Ensure it works well with screen readers.
# Neurological: Construct your website to work with voice commands for users with low mobility.
# Physical: Make your pages and features accessible for those who can’t use a keyboard or mouse due to physical disabilities.
# Visual: Design your website to work with software that allows users to control the size of text and images on a page. This is beneficial for partially sighted users.
Additional Benefits to Accessibility
Web accessibility benefits individuals without disabilities too, such as:
# People using devices with small screens, like smartphones and watches, or those with different input modes, like smart TVs.
# Older people with changing abilities due to ageing.
# People experiencing temporary disabilities, such as a broken wrist.
# People in situations that limit their access, like being in a quiet area where they can’t listen to audio.
# People with a poor internet connection.
Mobile Accessibility
Mobile accessibility refers to making websites and apps more accessible to people with disabilities when accessed via smartphones and other devices. Factors to consider include small screen sizing, touchscreens, different input methods, and the varied environments in which these devices are used.
WCAG 2.1 Guidelines
To keep up with technological advancements since WCAG 2.0 in 2008, the W3C released the WCAG 2.1 Guidelines in 2018. The update was driven by an increased understanding of low vision and cognitive impairments, as well as the rise of the mobile market. The new guidelines now incorporate issues experienced on mobile browsers and apps.
Conclusion
Web accessibility testing is an important process that ensures your website is accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. By making your website accessible, you can comply with UK legislation, improve digital inclusion, and provide a better user experience for all.
