Accessibility Testing: Ensuring Inclusive Software
Accessibility testing verifies that software can be used by people with disabilities — visual impairments, motor difficulties, hearing impairments, and cognitive differences. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 requires that digital services be accessible to disabled users. Beyond compliance, accessible software serves a larger audience and often improves usability for all users.
Web Accessibility Standards
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are the international standard, published by the W3C. Current version: WCAG 2.1. Levels: A (minimum), AA (standard target for most organisations), AAA (enhanced). UK public sector organisations must meet WCAG 2.1 AA under the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018. Most private sector organisations should target AA as standard practice.
WCAG Four Principles (POUR)
- Perceivable: Information can be perceived by all users — alt text for images, captions for video, sufficient colour contrast
- Operable: All functionality accessible via keyboard, no time limits that can't be extended, no content that causes seizures
- Understandable: Language is clear, navigation is predictable, errors are identified and described
- Robust: Works with current and future assistive technologies, valid HTML
Testing Tools
- Automated: axe-core, Lighthouse, WAVE — catch approximately 30-40% of WCAG issues automatically
- Manual: Keyboard navigation testing, screen reader testing (NVDA/JAWS on Windows, VoiceOver on Mac/iOS)
- User testing: Testing with disabled users finds issues automation and manual testing miss