Accessibility Testing

Optimize access for all users regardless of disability.

1 out of every 3 households in America interacts regularly with a person with a disability.

–US Social Security Administration

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Accessibility testing

Accessibility testing works at 3 levels: 1) Inclusion for all per Universal Design principles and in the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act; 2) Legal compliance with Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act which mandates federal; 3) Corporate Responsibility- compliance with equality and fairness to accessing information and online resources for all.

Definition:

An optimizing approach to ensuring your website, mobile app, device or experience is accessible to users with visual, cognitive, motor, and hearing impairments. Includes an analysis of your design and code against Section 508 guidelines and standards. Insight is gained by having actual users with disabilities give feedback on your design using their own Assistive Technology (eg JAWS or TalkBack) in a natural context. 

Benefits:

  • Get feedback from actual users with disabilities to provide context and proof-check Accessibility checker tools and W3 Guidelines (WCAG).
  • Test with Assistive Technology eg. audible browsers and screen magnifiers like JAWS, MAGic, VoiceOver, and ChromeVox.
  • Add real-world richness to automated analysis (checker tools).
  • Get design recommendations that meet Section 508 compliance and A, AA, or AAA standard (WCAG 2.2). 

 
Methods we use: 

Section 508 Audit; Accessibility/usability testing; Accessibility code audit; Checker Tools (eg axe™).

Deliverables: 

Accessibility test report. Includes design recommendations. 

Accessibility testing ensures that you are implementing the Section 508 and W3C Accessibility standards realistically. We have found this is a show-stopper issue in accessibility and is a must.

Fact: Improving Accessibility improves Usability. Furthermore, including disabled users in accessibility optimization efforts is critical for success.
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When to Do:

  • Ideally, before a site is developed (but an existing site or app/ device or experience can be assessed). 
  • With a redesign.
  • With use of CSS3 and HTML5 that natively support accessibility making it easier to scale across enterprise organizations.

How to use with Lean UX:

  • Use as you would usability testing and include disabled users in your tests.
  • Get just in time input from disabled users prior to launch.
“Having conducted every type of usability research in the last few years, we are still surprised time and again with the unique approach, the breadth of expertise and the results we get from including Experience Dynamics on our projects". - David Scifres, VP Internet Services, AGI