Accessibility Tutorial
Testing for Accessibility
A suite of tests for accessibility should be performed. Some of these tests can be performed using the Firefox add on "Web Developer".
- Linearize content check. Turn off CSS and ensure that the content is still comprehensive. If the design relies heavily on absolute positioning or the re-ordering of content, the result may be confusing to the user of a screen reader or someone who turns off CSS. Remember, a screen reader reads content in the order in which it appears in the HTML, not in the order in which it is presented based on the CSS.
- Turn off images. Ensure that there is alternative content for all graphics with text.
- Listen in a screen reader. Does the page make sense?
- Tab through the page with a keyboard.
- Test the access keys. Do they collide with browser shortcuts?
- Several web accessibility add-ons for Firefox are available.
- Inspect the markup.
Further Reading
- The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0
- Understanding WCAG
- Techniques For Implementing WCAG
- WCAG Accessibility Testing Tool
- Jim Thatcher
This is the man who gave expert testimony in NSB v. Target - Check a Site Accessibility Validator