When running accessibility tests on a website, you should start with figuring out what the unique needs of specific users might be. For example, the site should be optimized for:
- Vision Impairment: Individuals may have partial or significant trouble viewing a website. They may also have to deal with color blindness or be unable to handle visual effects like flashing effects, strobe-like lights, etc.
- Hearing Disabilities: Some users may suffer from deafness or have a partial hearing. Not all of them may be using hearing aids or other assistive equipment.
- Physical Disabilities: Users may have reduced motor functions, making it difficult to operate a keyboard or a mouse.
Of course, other conditions should ideally be taken into account, such as cognitive disabilities and limitations with memory or perception. However, the impairments listed above serve as a good starting point for accessibility testing.
Below, you will find out a general list of aspects that must be considered and covered under website accessibility testing:
- Insert Alternative Text Tag on Visual Assets
Users with visual impairments require screen readers to interpret web content. However, screen readers do not actually translate images. They read the underlying code and convey what the image contains to the user.
- Add Contrasting Colors
If colors on the website do not sufficiently contrast, it might be difficult for visually impaired users to perceive them.
- Accommodate Keyboard Navigation
Individuals with reduced motor functions may not be able to use a mouse or use a keyboard. They may require assistive technology such as voice-operated commands or a sip-and-puff device. Websites should be optimized to accommodate such necessities.
- Resize Text to be Viewable
This is undoubtedly more of a challenge for designers, but ideally, the text should be large enough to be viewable to users with low vision. The text does need to align with images and links without visual and functional anomalies, which doesn’t make it the most straightforward task in the book.
- Resize Text to be Viewable
This is undoubtedly more of a challenge for designers, but ideally, the text should be large enough to be viewable to users with low vision. The text does need to align with images and links without visual and functional anomalies, which doesn’t make it the most straightforward task in the book.
- Interactive Elements should be operable
Elements such as drop-down menus, clickable images, etc., should be operable via keyboard or voice commands (for those with limited motor function). Ensure that they can be operated via assistive devices without issue.
- Improvise with Headlines and Descriptions
Each web page should have a unique title that clearly describes the page content. Again, this helps screen readers translate the page a user is on. Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to demarcate content and help users read and absorb with greater ease. Clearly marked sections make it convenient for readers with cognitive disabilities. Headers also let screen readers vocalize the page the same way a reader would go through it.
- Add Subtitles and Captions to Videos
Videos should have clear captions (ideally, in multiple languages) so that users with compromised hearing can clearly understand what is being said. This isn’t just useful for anyone suffering from deafness, but also for someone who might want to consume video content in a public space with no earphones. They can simply read the subtitles and get what they need without bothering anyone with noise.
- Flashing Lights or Blinking Bright Elements
Flashing lights or any elements that are both blinking and bright might trigger seizures for anyone stricken with epilepsy or similar conditions. Generally, having such aesthetics won’t look too good on a site or app, but if you must implement them, ensure that brightness, flashes, and blinking is not too intense or oppressive so as to trigger any episodes.
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