WCAG testing

TL;DR WCAG testing makes sure that websites meet accessibility standards or users with disabilities by evaluating them against guidelines focused on the four pillars of WCAG accessibility standards POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust content. WCAG testing involves automated tools as well as manual checks and compliance evaluations. Professional services like ours make the process simple through our expert support, innovative tools and our tailored solutions, making accessibility easier and more reliable.

What is WCAG testing?

WCAG testing is the process of evaluating websites and other digital content to make sure that they meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, or WCAG. The WCAG is created by the World Wide Web Consortium and is the global standard for making content on the web accessible to people with disabilities.
If you want to know more about WCAG itself, you can find it on our WCAG page.

How to test websites for WCAG compliance

Testing for WCAG compliance involves several steps, which we will outline here:

1. Review Guidelines: Begin by reviewing the WCAG guidelines and success criteria to understand the requirements.
2. Conduct Automated Testing: Use automated testing tools such as our auto AI accessibility widget, to identify common issues like missing alternative text for images or insufficient contrast.
3. Perform Manual Testing: Conduct manual testing to uncover issues that automated tools might miss. This includes using screen readers, navigating solely with a keyboard, or testing voice recognition software.
4. Evaluate Compliance: Assess your website`s compliance against WCAG`s conformance levels and document the findings.
5. Document Findings: Create an accessibility report prioritizing the issues based on their severity and impact on users, along with recommendations for fixes.
6. Iterate and Validate: Address the identified issues, then retest the site to confirm all accessibility barriers have been removed. Regular testing and updates are crucial to maintaining compliance.

The pros and cons of professional WCAG testing

Hiring professionals for WCAG testing can be a real game-changer, but as with everything, it can also have its drawbacks. On the positive side-experts bring extensive knowledge of WCAG standards and accessibility best practices which ensures accurate and comprehensive testing. They often use advanced automated tools as well as efficient processes to save time while delivering actionable recommendations. Professional testing also reduces legal risks since maintaining an accessible website is now a legal requirement in many countries around the globe.

Though, it is important to be aware that professional services obviously can incur a higher cost and relying on external vendors might limit a team's ability to build in-house expertise. Additionally, collaborating with a third-party vendor may raise privacy and security concerns, especially if sensitive website data is shared.