How to Automate Accessibility Testing: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Accessibility testing is an important part of ensuring that websites and applications are usable by people with disabilities. Automating accessibility tests can help make the process more efficient and effective. In this article, we will explore the different tools available for automated accessibility testing, how to set up and run automated tests, best practices for creating automated tests, and tips for interpreting the results.

Different Tools Available for Automated Accessibility Testing

There are a variety of tools available for automated accessibility testing. These tools range from open source solutions to commercial offerings. Here is an overview of the different tools:

• Open Source Solutions: There are a number of open source solutions such as WAVE, HTML_CodeSniffer, and Axe-Core that can be used to automate accessibility tests. These tools are free to use and can provide basic accessibility testing capabilities.
• Commercial Solutions: Commercial solutions such as Tenon, Access Monitor, and Deque offer more robust features and capabilities than open source solutions. These tools typically come with a subscription fee but can provide more in-depth accessibility testing.

Each tool has its own pros and cons. Open source solutions are typically free to use but may not have as many features as commercial solutions. Commercial solutions tend to have more features and capabilities but may require a subscription fee. When deciding which tool to use, it’s important to consider your needs and budget.

How to Set Up and Run Automated Accessibility Tests

Once you’ve chosen a tool, the next step is to set up and run automated accessibility tests. Here is a step-by-step guide for setting up automated tests:

1. Install the chosen tool on your system.
2. Configure the tool according to your needs.
3. Create a list of URLs to be tested.
4. Set up the test environment.
5. Run the tests.

When running automated tests, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Make sure the tests are set up correctly before running them.
• Run the tests regularly to ensure accuracy.
• Be aware of any changes to the website or application that could affect the tests.
• Keep track of test results and review them regularly.

Best Practices for Creating Automated Accessibility Tests

Creating automated accessibility tests requires a certain level of skill and knowledge. Here are some best practices for creating automated accessibility tests:

• Structuring Tests: It’s important to structure tests in a way that makes them easy to understand and interpret. Tests should be organized into categories such as colors, font sizes, headings, etc.
• Writing Test Cases: Writing test cases is an important part of creating automated accessibility tests. Test cases should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. They should also be written in a way that allows them to be easily modified if needed.
• Choosing the Right Tool: Choosing the right tool is essential to creating effective automated accessibility tests. Consider your needs and budget when choosing a tool and make sure the tool is compatible with your system.

Interpreting and Understanding Automated Accessibility Test Results

Interpreting and understanding automated accessibility test results can be challenging. Here are some tips for interpreting results:

• Look for common issues such as missing alt text, improper color contrast, and invalid HTML markup.
• Review the results carefully to ensure accuracy.
• Compare the results to the expected results to identify any discrepancies.
• Check for false positives, which are errors that are not actually errors.
• Re-run the tests to confirm the results.

Conclusion

Automated accessibility testing is a powerful tool for ensuring that websites and applications are accessible to people with disabilities. This article explored the different tools available for automated accessibility testing, how to set up and run automated tests, best practices for creating automated tests, and tips for interpreting the results. By following these steps and best practices, you can create effective automated accessibility tests that will help ensure your website or application is accessible to all users.