Accessibility Testing

Accessibility testing is a mix of things: automated scans, manual checks against WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), keyboard-only testing, testing with screen readers, and testing with disabled users. None of them alone is enough. Automated tools catch missing alt text, low contrast, and unlabelled fields reliably, but they can't tell you whether the alt text makes sense, whether the heading structure is logical, or whether the language is actually clear. That's people work.

For formal evaluations, the W3C's Website Accessibility Conformance Evaluation Methodology (WCAG-EM) gives you a structured process: scope, sample, test, report. But the most valuable step is testing with disabled people. Screen reader users, keyboard users, people with cognitive disabilities, people with low vision consistently find things no tool and no non-disabled tester will.

Run automated checks in CI (continuous integration) as a baseline, but don't stop there. Test with a keyboard and screen reader on every significant change. And bring in disabled users at real points in the product lifecycle, not just at the end.

Upcoming events

  2. Agile Testing Days 2026

    until GMT+1
    featuring Lisa Crispin, Anna Bommas, Pradeep Soundararajan, and 2 other speakers
    Potsdam, Germanyand Online
    Event website (opens external site)
    Description

    A four-day hybrid conference for experienced software testers and engineers, focused on advanced practices, real-world challenges, and hands-on learning. More than 100+ sessions including inspiring keynotes, experience talks, hands-on workshops and full-day tutorials.

    Accessibility highlights: 1 workshop, 3 talks

  4. The Illusion of the Rational User

    until GMT+1
    featuring Radostina (Ina) Tsvetkova
    Internationaland Online
    Event website (opens external site)
    Description

    Talk arguing for testing that reflects real-world unpredictability, mental effort, and emotional impact — particularly for users with cognitive disabilities, ADHD, trauma histories, or anxiety, whose interactions rarely follow the linear ‘happy path’.