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What is Accessibility Testing?

Overview

"Accessibility Testing" is utilized to verify that digital products such as websites, mobile applications, and software are usable by individuals with various disabilities. This enables individuals with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive disabilities to easily access, navigate, and interact with an application.

This is not something that the QA teams should consider as their secondary task but their primary task just like performance, security, or functionality.

Why Accessibility Testing Matters

A number of Many nations have laws that enforce digital accessibility standards:

Region Framework
United States ADA, Section 508
European Union EN 301 549
Canada AODA

The design of technology products should include accessibility by design in product development practices by organizations.

Impact on Business and Users

A large number of the global population has some kind of disability. This is because a wheelchair user will also benefit from an accessible website, as will a user whose hand is broken and is using a phone in the outdoors. An accessible website will improve the SEO ranking of the website as well as the trust factor.

Quality Perspective

A large number of the global population has some kind of disability. This is because a wheelchair user will also benefit from an accessible website, as will a user whose hand is broken and is using a phone in the outdoors. An accessible website will improve the SEO ranking of the website as well as the trust factor.

Core Principles: POUR

Accessibility follows the guidelines set out in the WCAG guidelines, which consist of four principles:

Principle Description Example
Perceivable Users must be able to perceive content Alt text, captions, sufficient contrast
Operable Users must be able to navigate and interact Keyboard access, no traps
Understandable Content must be clear and predictable Error messages, consistent UI
Robust Content must work with assistive technologies Valid markup, ARIA

Accessibility Testing Approaches

Manual Testing (Essential)

Mimics real user behavior and is a critical component of real accessibility testing.

  • Keyboard-only navigation

  • Screen reader use (NVDA, VoiceOver, TalkBack)

  • Visual layout and contrast inspection

  • Content clarity and error message review

Automated Testing (Supportive)

There are automated systems for detecting potential pitfalls.

  • Browser extensions (axe DevTools, WAVE)

  • CI/CD integration (Lighthouse, Pa11y)

  • Code-level linters (eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y)

Warning: “Important” Automated testing speeds up detection but is not a substitute for manual verification using assistive technologies.

For more information on the tools, refer to the Accessibility Testing Tools Overview.

QA Perspective: Real Testing Scenario

Scenario: A new checkout form passes functional tests.

  1. The automated scan is able to detect missing labels as well as low contrast.

  2. Keyboard testing “Proceed to Payment” button is inaccessible – critical blocker issue.

  3. Screen reader testing reveals that validation messages are visible but not audible.

Result: Several critical accessibility problems that were not entirely captured by automated tools.

Common Accessibility Issues Found in QA

  • Missing or generic alt text

  • Lack of Color Contrast (WCAG-AA Failures)

  • Keyboard traps or unreachable interactive elements

  • Blank form fields without labels

  • Announcement of error messages to the screen reader

  • Illogically structured headings (for example, from H1 to H4)

  • Links and Buttons Too Small (Less than 44x44 pixels)

Integrating Accessibility into the QA Workflow

[ Shift-Left ] -> [ Development ] -> [ QA Phase ] -> [ CI/CD ]

A11y criteria     Dev checks       Automated scans    Quality gates
Design review     Code review      Manual testing     Regression

Accessibility Defect Template

Title: [WCAG X.X.X] Brief description
Severity: Blocker / Critical / Major / Minor
WCAG Reference: X.X.X - Criterion Name (Level A/AA)
Steps to Reproduce: ...
Expected Behavior: ...
Actual Behavior: ...
Affected Users: Screen reader / Keyboard / Low vision
Suggested Fix: ...

Quick Start Checklist for QA

  • Install axe DevTools or WAVE

  • Familiarize themselves with the basics of screen readers (e.g., NVDA or VoiceOver)

  • Test keyboard-based browsing functionality in critical flows

  • Check color contrast with a contrast checker

  • Add accessibility checks in automated tests

  • Add accessibility to test plan and exit criteria

Conclusion

Accessibility testing is a continuous process, and not a one-time activity. Accessibility tests are integrated using standards, automated testing tools, and manual testing using assistive technologies to make products accessible to everyone.

“Remember” that if you can’t test your product on someone with a disability, you can’t use that product either.