10 Best Web Accessibility Testing Tools

Embrace inclusivity with every release of your web apps with our comprehensive review of 10 best web accessibility testing tools.
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“Accessibility” refers to a software system’s usability by individuals without physical disabilities or impairments and those who do. Businesses may make digital material accessible to impaired persons via web accessibility testing. Business owners must ensure that their digital material complies with the ADA and Web Content Accessibility Principles because more nations are enacting laws to open web sources to everyone (WCAG). There are an astounding 136 resources available if you check the Web Accessibility Resources List! How do you choose the right web accessibility testing tools when starting in the accessibility world?

Naturally, many things must be considered when selecting an accessibility tool. This article speaks about the following tools helpful for accessibility testing. See our ranking of the top web accessibility testing tools before choosing one for your company.

What is Accessibility Testing?

Accessibility testing ensures that people with disabilities can use a digital product or service. The point is to spot any issues that might stop someone with a disability from using it. This means checking if it meets standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and if it works with tools people with disabilities use.

10 Best Web Accessibility Testing Tools

The following are some of the top web accessibility testing tools that you can use to ensure that your website is inclusive and accessible to all. From identify and fix any potential issues with your website, such as missing alt tags, low contrast text, or poorly structured HTML, these tools will aid you in all cases. We will also discuss the features and benefits of each tool, as well as any limitations or drawbacks.

1. Testsigma

Web Accessibility Testing Tool - Testsigma

Testsigma, a cloud-based automation testing solution, allows users to test online and mobile applications. The AI-powered tool supports test maintenance, finds faults, and places prone to errors based on previous error patterns. It captures and logs issues using images and videos transmitted over Slack, email, Teams, and other messaging apps.

Additionally, it is a scriptless testing solution that provides real-time devices running different OS and browser versions to speed up your testing alongside parallel execution. Additionally, you can schedule and prioritize your tests using Testsigma, allowing them to run continuously with little to no human interference.

Since it is a cloud-based solution, your machines won’t need to make room for it. Testsigma provides a wealth of help, from thorough instructions to a resource library. They have a free 30-day trial available right now. Testsigma only charges $249/month when paid annually.


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2. accessiBe

AccessiBe web accessibility tools

AccessiBe is a pioneer in web accessibility tools, integrating AI, machine learning, and computer vision to streamline and simplify the process of becoming compliant and accessible. AccessiBe offers cutting-edge AI-powered solutions, such as accessWidget and accessFlow, to speed up and streamline creating websites compatible with legal requirements and accessible to persons with disabilities.

To fix your website, accessWidget uses two applications that collaborate. The screen reader and keyboard navigation optimization are handled by the AI-powered process, while the accessibility interface is in charge of UI and design-related changes.

Contextual comprehension and computer vision models are used by the background-running accessWidget machine learning processes to satisfy the more sophisticated needs for keyboard navigation and screen reader accessibility.

3. Siteimprove

Siteimprove

With Siteimprove you can thoroughly examine your websites for accessibility. The web-based program crawls websites and provides reports on quality control problems, including broken links and misspelled words, as well as accessibility problems determined by the W3C Web Content and Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

It is a tool that requires subscriptions and is run by University Marketing and Communications (UMAC). However, the Siteimprove Accessibility Plugins are free and can instantly analyse any website for accessibility problems within the browser, safe assessment of encryption keys or private pages, multi-step questionnaires, and dynamic material is possible.

4. Google Lighthouse

Google Lighthouse

Lighthouse by Google is a one-stop solution for automated accessibility testing. Made with technical experts and non-technical users in mind, it is a versatile tool that can be configured and used in many ways. Lighthouse accessibility inspections can be included in a continuous deployment process in addition to the strategies outlined below. Lighthouse is a pre-installed Chrome extension and may be used to verify both local websites and authorized pages.

Launching Chrome Development Tools for Process Improvement, SEO, or only an accessibility audit. Additionally, it allows the customer to execute the audit on a desktop computer or a pretend mobile device. After making those selections, clicking “Generate Report” will perform the audit(s) you’ve chosen right in your browser.

5. UsableNET

Web accessibility testing by UsableNET

Web accessibility testing by UsableNET, WCAG and ADA Web compliance testing are simplified. AQA provides you with practical advice and pinpoints accuracy in identifying accessibility issues. By demonstrating how a person with a disability might use your website, AQA goes above and beyond conventional web accessibility testing solutions. Web accessibility testing is possible using AQA, even on the most complicated websites.

6. Equal Web

EqualWeb to automate web accessibility

EqualWeb is used by governmental organizations, large corporations, and small businesses to carry out manual and automatic accessibility testing on their websites. The platform can be altered to match your website’s code, content, and design. Businesses can use EqualWeb’s AI Toolbar to automate web accessibility remedial action by adding it to their website.

Site visitors with impairments have options in the toolbar to customize the best surfing experience for their needs. Visitors can modify the navigation, color, and content to accommodate a variety of impairments, such as dyslexia, epilepsy, and blindness.

7. aXe by Deque

aXe by Deque

The most effective and precise accessibility tools available, axe DevTools, helps  you achieve 80% or more excellent issue coverage while developing. Axe DevTools helps you save time, money, and effort while testing for accessibility.

Axe DevTools appears as a panel in the development tools and is accessible as a browser or Mozilla extension. You can test an entire page or just a section of it. The errors/faults found are chrome categorized by severity and include code samples to make troubleshooting simpler. 

With its “Intelligent Guided Tests” function, Axe also enables you to catch more problems than other automated tools. Before asking the tester questions to produce a result, intelligent guided tests identify the areas to test and perform as much of the hard work as possible.

8. QualityLogic

QualityLogic

With the help of their specalised team, Quality Logic can create a unique solution for your software testing requirements. WCAG 2.1 AA and AAA, as well as ADA Section 508, are being tested with a higher standard that exceeds compliance criteria. It’s a fact that some of the biggest brands and most creative businesses in the world depend on QualityLogic for testing processes, electronic accessibility, and intelligent power testing services.

9. PA11Y

Pa11y

You’ve got a friend in Pa11y, the automated accessibility testing tool. You may automate your testing procedure by having it execute accessibility testing on your pages using the command line or Node.js. Pa11y must be installed, tested, and reported via a command line interface (CLI), such as Console or Windows Command Prompt. I would advise selecting an alternative application for your accessibility testing needs if you are not comfortable using the command line, such as one that is offered as a Google Chrome Extension.

10. FireEye’s

FireEye is a free accessibility tool

FireEye is a free accessibility tool available for websites. With this tool, you can thoroughly report any accessibility issues on your page. FireEye XDR identifies threats by comparing event data and using unmatched frontline intelligence and analytics. By emphasizing what is important and raising analyst proficiency, simplifying threat identification, investigation, and incident response.

Web Accessibility Testing Key Features:

1. Contrasting color combinations: Webs’ text color and backdrop color should contrast well. Links, icons, buttons, and any other content on the page fall under this category.

2. Using Plain English in Writing: In the UK, 9 is the typical reading age in the UK. The most excellent way to ensure your material gets read by most people is to write it in simple, straightforward English. Fewer individuals can comprehend dense literature with jargon, acronyms, and sophisticated terminology. For those needing help understanding the implied meaning, metaphors and figures of speech can also be perplexing. Your content will be easier for everyone if you use plain English.

3. Videos with closed captions: All spoken words and audio in videos are described in closed captions. Closed captions and subtitles are frequently confused, but they differ somewhat. Similar to how subtitles offer a written alternative, closed captions also include additional pertinent audio from the video, such as “door knocks.”

Closed caption is an excellent example of an accessibility feature that benefits disabled and non-disabled users.

4. Navigation via keyboard only: A basic accessibility rule is ensuring your website is set up for keyboard-only navigation. Anyone who uses assistive technology, such as a screen reader, to browse websites is impacted. This covers various individuals with cognitive, sensory, or motor impairments.

Why Is Web Accessibility Important?

Web accessibility is important because the internet has to be accessible to everyone for individuals with impairments to have equal opportunities and access online the growing number of areas of our lives, including education, work, govt, business, medical services, entertainment, and more, rely on the Web and the Internet as a whole. Web accessibility helps people with disabilities participate more actively in society online.

Making your site accessible will ensure that most of your intended consumers those who are disabled—have a positive browsing experience and can quickly access your content. You may make the site user-friendly by applying accessibility best practices.

Additionally, having an accessible site is frequently one of the simplest methods to negotiate deals with several individuals with disabilities, such as those who struggle to read print, access physical stores or malls, and others. Additionally, the principles you employ for accessibility overlap with those for mobile Web design, accessibility, and SEO (SEO).

Ways to Perform Accessibility Testing:

There are several ways to perform accessibility testing using an automation testing tool like Testsigma:

1. Use the tool’s built-in accessibility checks:

Many automation testing tools, including Testsigma, have built-in checks for common accessibility issues, such as missing alt tags for images and improper headings. These checks can be run automatically as part of the test plan, and any issues found can be reported for further review and resolution.

2. Use accessibility testing frameworks:

There are several frameworks, such as aXe and WAVE, that can be integrated with automation testing tools to perform more comprehensive accessibility checks. These frameworks can check for various accessibility issues, including contrast ratios, proper use of ARIA attributes, and keyboard accessibility.

3. Use accessibility testing tools:

There are also dedicated accessibility testing tools that can be used in conjunction with automation testing tools. These tools can provide more detailed information about the accessibility of a website or application, including any issues other methods may not catch.

4. Use manual testing:

While automation testing is an important part of the accessibility testing process, it is also important to perform manual testing to ensure that the website or application is fully accessible. This can include testing with different assistive technologies, such as screen readers, and manually checking for issues such as keyboard accessibility and contrast ratios.

Overall, it is essential to use a combination of automation and manual testing to ensure that a website or application is fully accessible to all users. By using an automation testing tool like Testsigma, along with other accessibility testing tools and frameworks, organizations can ensure that their products are accessible and compliant with relevant standards and regulations.

Test Cases Accessibility Testing: Things to look at 

The following are a few things to look at when conducting this kind of testing:

  • Whether the labels are correctly positioned and written.
  • Whether or not the audio or video content is adequately audible or viewable.
  • Whether or not the color contrast ratio is maintained.
  • Whether or not the video controls function correctly.
  • If the menu has short keys available, you must ensure they are all functional.
  • It is necessary to check for tabs if switching between tabs is simple.
  • Whether or not the application complied with all the rules and regulations.
  • Whether the headline is original and conveys the structure and meaning.
  • If the link wording contains a content description rather than leaving room for uncertainty.

What are the Types of Accessibility Testing?

There are four kinds of accessibility testing to provide accessibility for people of all abilities and keep up ADA compliance:

1. Automation of Testing:

Begin with test automation, which rapidly reveals the easiest issues to fix and accessibility issues to improve. But since automated testing excludes interpretability and can overlook crucial accessibility concerns, it might not be sufficient to avert litigation or assist users of all abilities.

2. Reviewing manual codes:

According to UsableNet, 100% of the recently modified WCAG 2.1 criteria for success and over 80% of the WCAG 2.0 standards call for manual assessment. The HTML, CSS, and Javascript are examined by real individuals with WCAG design review experience and knowledge to ensure they adhere to the standards.

3. User Testing:

User testing allows actual users with disabilities, such as those who regularly use screen reader technology, to certify that your site is useable for them, as opposed to manual code review, which verifies that your site complies with WCAG.

4. Review of the user experience (UX):

Examining larger site design components as part of a UX evaluation is necessary to check for accessibility and usability. The following aspects are examined during a UX review:

  • Visual structure 
  • Logical page layout 
  • Menu functioning 
  • Button size

People with low vision, mobility, or cognitive disabilities will find this method to be especially beneficial for native apps.

Conclusion

By ensuring that websites and web applications can be used by people with disabilities like hearing problems, eyesight problems, epilepsy, and cognitive impairments, web accessibility testing is a sort of software usability testing. Any software system’s accessibility should constantly be tested because it enables everyone to use the product, especially people with physical limitations.

Today, a significant portion of physically impaired persons use software products for their daily tasks, and accessibility testing tools enable websites to become more user-friendly. The accessibility testing tool you use should fit your site’s needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions