Chapter 6: Testing and Evaluating Accessibility

Establishing an Overall Testing Strategy 

An overall accessibility testing strategy is essential for ensuring that digital products are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This strategy outlines the approach to be followed for evaluating accessibility and defines the roles and responsibilities of the testing team. The strategy typically involves combining automated and manual testing methods to cover different aspects of accessibility.  

Key components of an accessibility testing strategy include: 

• Defining Success Criteria: Establishing clear accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.0/2.1 conformance levels (A, AA, AAA), that must be met for the product to be considered accessible. 

• Identifying Tools and Resources: Choosing the right testing tools (both automated and manual) to test different accessibility aspects. 

• Testing Process and Phases: Defining the steps involved in the testing process, from initial audits to final verification. This often includes unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing. 

• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and refining the testing strategy to incorporate new accessibility guidelines, tools, and user feedback. 

By establishing a comprehensive testing strategy, organizations can ensure that accessibility is an integral part of their development process and that all critical accessibility barriers are identified and addressed effectively.