Accessibility Testing
Accessibility testing checks whether people with different abilities, devices, tools, and contexts can actually use a digital product.
Two Kinds Of Testing
| Type | Use | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| automated testing | finds technical issues such as contrast, heading problems, missing labels, or WCAG errors | cannot understand whether the experience makes sense |
| qualitative testing | tests with keyboard, screen reader, and real users | needs planning, recruitment, and interpretation |
Both are needed.
Quick Manual Checks
- navigate by keyboard
- check that focus is visible
- zoom text and inspect layout
- use a screen reader
- check contrast
- inspect headings
- review link and button labels
- test form errors
- check whether content is understandable
Why Real Users Matter
Tools can tell whether a label exists. A person can tell whether the label is useful.
Tools can tell whether an error message appears. A person can tell whether the message helps them recover.
Tools can find technical problems, but people reveal real barriers.